Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
WENATCHEE, Wash. – Promising blooms and strong cell division action means Stemilt’s Washington apricot crop will bring big fruit this year. Apricots shipments have just started and will continue through July with peak volume starting July 4th onwards. Stemilt senior sales manager, Brian Evans, anticipates quality and size will increase during this year’s apricot season.
“We’ll have good volume and sizes of Artisan Organics™ apricots this year which means now is the perfect time to prepare for upcoming promotion windows,” says Evans. “We’re seeing signs of strong cell division post bloom which shows improved quality and size from the previous crop.”
Great flavors are made when cool nights and long, hot days give apricots the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. The Douglas family grows all Stemilt’s apricots, peaches and nectarines 100% organically in Pasco, WA in the Columbia Basin. The natural rain shadow in this area makes an optimal location for growing stone fruit.
“With larger size fruit on the way, catch weight bags are going to be your best friend for promoting apricots,” says Evans. “July 4 will be a good time to first bring attention to apricots leading into another key promotion window in the second and third weeks of July. We encourage retailers to carry organic apricots to fill organic space and offer a value opportunity that shoppers will look for during produce inflation.”
Apricots continue to be a popular fruit choice for children who enjoy sweet mellow flavors. According to The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2023, younger consumers are more likely to purchase fresh apricots. The report shows 19% of families with 2 kids are most likely to buy them. 14% of Consumers aged 30-39 said they purchased apricots, compared with 6% for those consumers aged 60 and older.
“We can help bring new shoppers to the organic category with apricots by picking fruit that’s going to delight with quality flavors and sizes,” says Evans. “Promoting organics with a seasonal fruit like apricots is a great way to see growth in the category and we’re excited to help retailers see success this summer with Artisan Organics™ branded fruit.”
About Stemilt
Stemilt is a family-owned grower, packer, and shipper of tree fruit. Owned and operated by the Mathison family, Stemilt is a leader in sweet cherries and organic tree fruits, and a key supplier of apples and pears.
With more than 8,000 tons shipped to North America through May, the Chilean Kiwifruit season is underway. Peak U.S. imports are just kicking off and will continue through August.
While the Chilean Kiwifruit Committee is projecting an overall decrease in volume of 14 percent compared with last season, fruit quality is expected to be superior! Reports Carlos Cruzat, President of the Committee, “Fruit this year is between one and one and a half sizes larger, and dry matter (which plays a key role in the consumer’s eating experience) is greater than previous seasons.” This is the result of a warm summer with healthy water supply.
Chile shipped 134,992 tons of kiwifruit across the globe in 2022, with the U.S., Netherlands, and Brazil its top three markets. India has also grown substantially over the past few years, becoming the fourth largest market for the Chilean kiwifruit industry in 2022.
This season, Chile expects to export a total of 116,093 tons. The U.S. received 20,221 tons in 2022, with similar volumes projected this season, but increases are on the horizon. With new orchards coming into production over the next few years, Chile anticipates volume to grow by more than 80% by 2030.
In previous years, Chile had shipped around 35-40 percent of total kiwifruit volume through May, but this year, that figure has grown to 52 percent. With that in mind, the Committee is focusing on the June through August timeframe for promotions.
Richland, WA – The Northwest Cherry Growers recently gathered to discuss the crop prospects for the 2023 cherry crop.
Representatives from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Montana have determined that the 2023 crop has great potential relative to crop volume and fruit size. As weather across the region has generally been in the 80 degree F range and it is clear that the region is seeing optimal weather for cell division for size and sugar development.
This year the first bloom in the earliest orchards began on April 8th, with full bloom coming on April 15th. The normal growth cycle for sweet cherries is 60 to 65 days from pollination to harvest. The earliest harvest is expected to fall on or near June 15th.
After reviewing degree day build up, bloom timing and potential fruit set on the trees; the industry believes that there is potential for a crop of 19.9 million 20 lb. boxes. This would constitute a 50% increase in crop size as compared to the 13.3 million box crop we saw in 2022.
CMI Orchards of Wenatchee, WA expects to have 75 percent more cherries than last season. The company will kick off the season around the middle of June. It will have peak shipments the entire month of July with the state anticipating its peak around July 12. After that, loading will start tapering off and will run until the end of August.
Cherries in the early and mid-season districts appear to have set a nice crop. Late season Northwest growers also expect to have a moderate to average crop in 2023.
The post 4th of July orchards have experienced a “flash bloom” that has resulted in some pollination issues. Some orchards that are lighter than expected – as crop load will run from 5 to 10 tons to the acre based on location. The good news for the late season offerings is growers are expecting great size and sugars!
This year’s bloom timing was a full 14 to 20 days behind the 2022 bloom pattern.
Following a down crop year in 2022, Sage Fruit Co. of Yakima, WA sees a rebound with a large cherry crop volume in 2023. The marketer’s Northwest cherry crop spans from southeastern Washington, through The Dalles and Hood River in Oregon, up through the Yakima Valley, then shifts north through Wenatchee and Chelan in Washington, up to the Canadian border.
Sage Fruit partnered with Chelan Fruit during the 2022 cherry season and will continue to do so in 2023, which adds a considerable volume of cherries to its program.
The company’s cherry season kicks off in mid-June, with the first peak loadings coming in late-June to early-July. Good volume is expected through mid-August.
Sage Fruit is carrying both dark sweet and rainier cherries in 2023.
Domestic onion shipments got off to a slow start in some parts of the country due to weather factors, but volume loadings are now occurring.
The National Onion Association of Eaton, CO reported fewer onion shipments than normal in early May. While supplies remained steady in some areas, weather and a drop in acreage resulted in lower volume in others.
However, as more shippers in additional growing areas became active, loadings have increased.
California, Georgia and Nevada began shipping onions in early May as the season was winding down in Texas. Several other states, including Michigan, New York and in the northwest, have planted for a fall harvest that will start in August.
Mexico is also shipping onions to the U.S., while Canada typically exports onions to the U.S. in the fall. Eagle Eye Produce of Idaho Falls, Idaho, shipped red, white and yellow onions out of California’s Imperial Valley until the end of May, before shifting to the central part of the state. However, Eagle Eye’s primary summer loadings from June to August will be out of New Mexico.
Little Bear Produce of Edinburg, Texas wrapped up its Texas sweet onion harvest in early May has transitioned to New Mexico, where it will ship onions until September. Then the company will import onions from Peru.
Wada Farms Marketing Group of Idaho Falls, Idaho-based reports good shipments of its California onions this spring, despite the cold and rainy spring weather this year.W
WATSONVILLE, CA – A bountiful summer of California strawberries is ahead for California Giant Berry Farms as the company forecasts huge volumes of the company’s cornerstone product.
The berry purveyor’s high yields and forecast for excellent quality fruit come following a later-than-average start for some of its growing regions—but despite this, the company is on track to deliver peak volumes of California strawberries.
“2023 was a challenging year for some of our growing regions,” said Andy Rice, vice president of field operations and product supply at California Giant Berry Farms. “Ultimately, weather impacted crops early on—from above average amounts of rain, flooding or uncharacteristically cold weather. Like most California production, our production curve was shifted, and peak promotable volumes are arriving, albeit later than average.”
Out of the Santa Maria region, California Giant is reporting sizeable, high-quality fruit. The region is amid its peak volume window, which is forecasted to maintain through mid-June.
The Watsonville and Salinas growing region—despite initial weather challenges—are seeing week-over-week increase in volumes, with estimates projecting substantial harvested volumes beginning mid-June and spanning to early-August. Due to the area’s late start, the company is forecasting fruit will be available late into summer. The region’s ranches are reporting excellent quality and flavor, alongside sizable fruit.
California Giant’s peak promotable volumes come at a time when consumers are enjoying berries more than ever. Recent USDA data reports that gains in retail per capita consumption for berries have been very strong compared with many other fresh fruits. Strawberries consumption specifically has grown from 4.6 pounds in 2011 to 6.7 pounds in 2021, an overall gain of 45%.
To support the expected influx of strawberries, California Giant employs Instacart advertising and Ibotta consumer promotions to drive purchase intent for fresh berries. In correlation, the brand will launch consumer engagement sweepstakes to further drive brand awareness and demand.
Through the shared industry goal to drive significant increases in strawberry consumption, California Giant continues to deliver the best berry experience by providing a year-round supply of sustainably grown fresh berries that represent the highest standards for quality, consistency and smiles.
About California Giant Berry Farms
California Giant Berry Farms grows and ships berries to retailers, and foodservice providing an all-season supply of blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries. The privately owned company has been in business 40 years.
North Bay Produce, Inc. of Traverse City, MI reports Michigan asparagus shipments will be ending in the third week of June.
Growers for North Bay have been picking twice a day to beat the heat and speed harvest before the asparagus becomes seedy.
The firm’s recent press release also provides insights into several other crops.
North Bay’s domestic blackberry season in Georgia and North Carolina was delayed by rain in late May. The dampness forced some fruit to processing markets. The company anticipates increasing domestic blackberry volume this June, while supplementing its blackberry supplies in the first half of June with imports from Mexico and Guatemala. Good blackberry volume should be available into the July 4 holiday.
North Carolina and Georgia blueberries were also set back by late May rain, although Georgia’s Rabbit Eye blueberries are expected to be on the market for the next few weeks. North Bay has positive expectations for the summer’s New Jersey blueberry crop, which is important in supplying the Fourth of July holiday.
Mexican raspberry supplies were winding down in early June, as North Bay moved to California for domestic sourcing, which will run into the fall.
It’s early in the growing season, but Michigan apple production should be good, according to the Michigan-based grower and international fruit marketing firm.
A 28% increase in citrus exports for Chile is projected for the 2023 season, at an estimated 345,000 tons, according to the Citrus Committee of the Chilean Association of Fruit Exporters and Producers (ASOEX).
The season began the first week of April with shipments of clementines of the Oronules, Orogrande and Clemenules varieties from the Coquimbo region.
By the end of April, 270 tons were shipped from Valparaiso to the U.S.
In 2022, Chile exported 270,000 tons of citrus. This volume represented a 32% decrease from the previous year.
Navel oranges accounted for 30% of exports, lemons represented 21%, clementines 16% and mandarins 33%.
The Citrus Committee, an organization formed by the main citrus exporters in the country and representing 75% of Chile’s citrus exports, indicates exports will level off to a normal average season and it is expected that rains in Coquimbo, for example, will result in a good fruit size.
- Clementines are estimated at 55,000 tons.
- Mandarins would reach 125,000 tons.
- Oranges are projected to reach 90,000 tons.
- Lemons are estimated at 75,000 tons.
Ciruli Bros. LLC of Rio Rico, AZ imports Mexican mangos through both Nogales and McAllen Tx and its volume through both continues to grow.
There was a slow start to the Mexican mango deal season between March and April, but the weather has improve. Mexican mango volume is at a peak due to concurrent production across three states – Chiapas, Michoacan, and Nayarit.
Good volume is expected through June.
Champagne peak volume started in mid May and will continue through June 15th, while Kents will peak between June 19 to about July 19.
As the Chiapas and Michoacan seasons slow down, Nayarit volume started picking up the second week of May and will through early July.
The state of Arkansas has about 2,000 acres of tomatoes, according to the Arkansas Farm Bureau, making the commodity one of the state’s largest specialty crops.
Gem Tomato & Vegetable Shales of Hamburg, AR is reporting an exceptional crop and is among the nation’s first field-grown vine-ripes to be harvested each year.
A few tomatoes were picked in late may, but there is now a jump in volume occurring.
Gem Tomato offers round, roma, and for the past few years, grape tomatoes and ships primarily to customers in the midwest.
Round tomatoes are the company’s bestseller, but demand for romas has increased each year since they were added to the product line more than 20 years ago.
Harrod & Hensley Tomato Co. of Hermitage, AR in Bradley County, is known nationally as a prime tomato-growing region, shipping round, grape, heirloom and roma tomatoes. The fifth generation family owned company normally has the first tomatoes shipped of Arkansas.
The company also sells tomatoes for four or five other growers.
The state’s tomato loadings continue into the first week of July.
Naturipe of Watsonville, CA will have strong supplies of berries throughout the spring and summer of 2023 from different growing areas.
The company was underway in early May with peak supplies of California strawberries that will last through the summer months. Good volume should continue as well with blueberries this spring and summer.
Naturipe blueberries will source from diversified farming regions in the spring, which include Mexico, California, Florida and Georgia, and then will transition in the summer months into its farms from New Jersey, Michigan, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.
The company will continue to have good raspberry volumes from its farming regions across Mexico. Blackberries are now in peak supplies from Georgia and North Carolina farms for late spring and early summer.