Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
California strawberry supplies remain extremely limited due to the rains and lower temperatures of the past two weeks. Mexican berries (into South Texas) and Florida-grown supplies are increasing; quality is improving. Expect prices to decline slowly over the next 10 days, according to a press release from Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA.
Santa Maria and Oxnard, California
- Harvesting has been minimal this week as growers are allowing fruit to mature
- Winter production is expected to begin by late December
Mexico (into South Texas)
- Supplies are increasing
- Quality problems include white shoulders, skin bruising, and green tips
- This market is active
Florida
- Cooler weather has slowed growth, but supplies are slowly increasing
- Defects include white shoulders and green tips
- Size ranges from 17 to 22 berries per 8/1-pound clamshells
Baja, Mexico (into California)
- Shipments are beginning to cross after last week’s border blockades ended
- Rainy weather slowed production
- Quality ranges from fair to good
- Size ranges from 19-24 per 8/1-pound clamshells
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
An otherwise relatively some California grape growing season was disrupted in mid-October when an unusually strong storm crossed key production areas from Bakersfield to Visalia.
Between 20 and 30mm of rain fell over two days, prompting California grape growers to cover vineyards with protective plastic.
Pandol Brothers, California grower, shipper and importer based in Delano, reported nearly all vineyards have plastic covering ready to be pulled on in case of rain. However, this was an unusually strong storm for October, but it shouldn’t be a problem for most growers.
Some others expressed less optimism. One California grape exporter noted that many vineyards appeared to be uncovered and added that even protected blocks could see increased disease pressure from moisture rising back up from the soil.
The storm also resulted several shippers halting ocean exports to Asian markets, opting to rely solely on air freight to avoid the risk of claims or rejected fruit on arrivals.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
With over 30 percent retail sales growth in the US this year, Zespri kiwifruit is climbing the ranks of America’s fruit isle, now sitting at number 15 and eyeing a top-10 spot.
The New Zealand company reports kiwi is the fastest-growing fruit in the fruit category, and Zespri is the number one kiwifruit brand driving that growth, selling more than 4x the next best-selling brand.
Zespri attributes much of the brand’s momentum to the company’s popular SunGold variety, which is described as sweet, juicy, and very broadly appealing.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
A big crop of walnuts is just getter bigger if the California Walnut Board and Commission (CWBC) is correct in its latest estimate.
The CWBC reports initial forecasts may have been too conservative as the organization estimates a six percent increase over the original 710,000 short tons projected by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Thanks to near perfect growing conditions and the harvest still ongoing, the CWBC sees a potential of 750,000 short tons.
The organization observes the kernel size is also two percent larger than the average of the past two years, with optimal color and quality.
Established in 1948, the CWBC represents California walnut growers and handlers.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Comprising over 147 growers in Central New York, Crunch Time Apple Growers of Newark, NY is responsible for 60 percent of the state’s apple production and is excited about its 2025 crop.
Thanks to favorable weather conditions in the months leading up to harvest, both of the cooperative’s exclusive varieties, SnapDragon and RubyFrost, have excellent taste and appearance.
The harvest lasts only a few weeks, and the fruit is showing good storage capabilities for months to come.
Although there is a high-quality fruit crop with favorable weather, Cruch Time sees the challenge of yet another record-breaking season for US apples, which is forecasted to reach a historic production of 278.5 million bushels nationwide.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
The Peruvian Blueberry Growers and Exporters Association (ProArándanos) announced that blueberry exports reached their peak earlier than expected and are projected to decline in the coming months.
According to the organization, Peru’s blueberry shipments reached their highest level during early November, with approximately 21,000 metric tons .
This is a 12.5 percent decrease compared with the projected peak at the start of the season (24,000 metric tons in mid November).
So far, Peru has exported more than 215,000 metric tons of blueberries, accounting for approximately 54 percent of the projected 400,000-ton export volume for the season.
Shipments to the US, Europe, and China have driven growth. To date, 44 percent has been shipped to the US, 35 percent to Europe, and 15 percent to China.
The organization warns that shipments will gradually decline moving forward, reflecting a shorter and lower output than the projected Peruvian berry season.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Ecuador is currently at the height of its mango export season, with Peru building momentum to take the lead through early 2026.
US importers are entering their peak offshore mango season with the seasonal shift in the global supply lines.
Ecuador is currently operating at full speed, and weekly shipments are expected to reach 1.7 million boxes during the second half of November. Total projected shipments stand at 14 million boxes for the season, slightly below 2024’s volume. Shipments will begin winding down in early December and finish by the end of the year.
Peru, the largest offshore supplier to the US, has started its season gradually, with 168,000 boxes shipped by the end of week 43. Volumes are expected to climb steadily through December, reaching 2.5 million boxes per week by early January. The season will peak through the first month of 2026, with total shipments projected at 23.2 million boxes, down 21 percent from last year’s record.
With a smooth handoff from Ecuador to Peru, US markets are well-positioned for steady mango availability through the winter months.
Mexico, the dominant supplier to the US, just closed out a historic season, with exports reaching 95.6 million boxes, the highest volume on record. The North American country continues to supply smaller volumes of irradiated fruit, which now account for ten percent of its total shipments, adding to this year’s 10 million boxes, up sharply from 2.75 million in 2021.
Meanwhile, Brazil is nearing the end of its season with two to three weeks left. Despite early concerns about tariffs, consumer demand held steady even as prices rose, allowing Brazil to ship an expected 9.5 million boxes, comparable to last year’s total.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
California’s available Valencia orange supply continues to diminish. California’s Navel season has begun in a limited manner; supplies will increase week over week as harvesting ramps up, according to Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA in a press release.
California
- Valencias are finished for the season with Navel varieties available
- Quality is good; some scarring has been reported
- California Navel shipments are in full swing
Mexico
- Mexican imports (crossing in Nogales, Arizona) are expected in mid-November
- Great quality is forecast; sugar levels will range from 12-13 Brix
- Prices will be comparable to those in Florida and Texas
Texas
- Early variety seeded oranges will ship through February before the start of the Valencia season
- Quality is good; sugar levels range from 11-12 Brix
- Florida
- The new crop Hamlin season has begun
- Supplies are dominated by 138-count and smaller sizes
- Quality is fair; sugar levels range from 10-11 Brix
- Most of the fruit will be choice and standard grades
- Import
- Fruit is being imported to the East Coast
- South African seeded Midnight-variety oranges are shipping
- Quality is good; sugar levels range from 12-13 Brix
- The season will end in late November
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
The first Chilean cherry imports of the 2025-26 season arrived by air last month and weekly arrivals have been occurring since.
Chilean distributor Forever Fresh reports the first shipment consisted of eight pallets from Garcés Fruit, harvested in Chile’s central zone.
The shipment was made by air to New York City and included varieties such as Royal Down, Glenn Red, Brooks, and Coral. The second shipment to arrived on, Saturday October 25.
Forever Fresh plans to maintain a flow of shipments every two days, with fruit coming from both Garcés Fruit and Verfrut.
The company noted the first cherries arrived in excellent condition, with outstanding freshness and appearance, being crunchy, with good color and high sugar levels.
In this first stage, Forever Fresh will distribute the product to retailers and wholesalers to meet the initial demand for the season’s early lots.
Chile is riding the coattails of an excellent season by Washington state.
Chile apparently learned a lesson last season that it is not wise to put all of your eggs, or in this case, cherries in one basket.
Chile views the US as an excellent market and opportunity for Chilean cherries. Today, 90 percent of the Andean country’s crop is destined for China, making local producers extremely dependent on the Asian giant. Last year’s oversupply drove prices down dramatically, prompting the question: Should Chile look beyond the East?
Cultivating the US market with counter-seasonal cherries is a great alternative. Thus, market diversification has become a long term goal for Chileans.
There is clear potential in the United States, but Forever Fresh realizes building the market takes time. The company has been investing together with its producers—Garcés, Verfrut, Probex, and Unifrutti—to develop demand and reaccustom consumers to seeing high-quality Chilean fruit during the winter.
The United States imported about 4 million boxes of Chilean cherries last year. Forever Fresh accounted for 25 percent of the market share.
The company projects growth of between 20 percent and 25 percent, with the most important thing being consistency in quality and supply.
It will be of utmost importance to provide that quality and supply for key periods such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Valentine’s Day. Just as it happens in China, where cherries are offered as a gift for the Lunar New Year, Chilean cherries are looking to position themselves as a high-value product and premium gift.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Rain is forecast for the California growing regions of Santa Maria and Oxnard Thursday night, November 13, then November 16, through Friday, November 17; harvesting cancellations are expected, according to a press release from Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA.
Limited yields from the South Texas growing region will help offset California’s reduced volume. Expect an extreme demand-exceeds-supply market over the next two weeks.
Santa Maria/Oxnard
- Upcoming rain will present quality issues, as well as harvesting delays
- Expect an extreme demand-exceeds-supply market for the next two weeks
- Quality ranges from fair to fairly good; light decay, soft skin, and bruising are issues
- Size ranges from small-medium to medium
- Maintaining the cold chain will be vital for shelf-life; Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
- Expect tight supplies and elevated prices
Mexico/South Texas
- Current yields will not meet demand
- Supplies are limited, due to quality problems including white shoulders, skin bruising, and green tips
- Maintaining the cold chain will be vital for shelf-life; Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
- Supplies will increase in late November
- Expect low volume and high markets