Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
Blazer Wilkinson Gee (BWG) of Salinas, CA has announced that its Foxy brand blueberries have begun arriving on the East Coast.
With an expanded offering of high-quality fruit from South America, BWG will now be able to supply its customers with premium blueberries on a nearly year-round basis. BWG’s retail partners can expect the same level of service and high-quality product that has established BWG as one of the leading suppliers of fresh strawberries throughout the United States.
“We’re taking our proven track record of strawberry best practices and developing partnerships with growers across the globe who share our values and attention to detail. This allows our retail partners to keep their blueberry category consistently performing throughout the year,” said Jack Wilkinson, head of sales at BWG.
For over half a century, the Foxy brand has been one of the most trusted names in produce. BWG remains committed to bringing retailers high-quality fruit from a brand that shoppers know and trust. The company is poised to work with retailers on year-round programs designed to build the berry category and satisfy the growing demand for healthy, delicious produce that fits the lifestyle needs of their shoppers 365 days a year
“While we’ve grown significantly, we’re still a family-run organization based out of Salinas, California, and our partners can expect us to treat them like family,” Wilkinson continued. “Our team of multigenerational experts is passionate about delivering berry excellence with everything we ship, and our partners can trust us to deliver on schedule and on spec.”
About Blazer Wilkinson Gee
Based in Salinas, California with farms across North and South America, Blazer Wilkinson Gee (BWG) is a year-round grower and shipper of strawberries and blueberries and marketer of grapes, citrus and cherries. The company’s berries are available nationwide in the Foxy label, as well as in a variety of different packaging configurations to fit any market format. BWG’s vertically integrated growing, packing and shipping network is managed by its multigenerational team of like-minded professionals who are passionate about delivering ultra-high-quality berries to markets throughout North America.
Homegrown Organic Farms of Porterville, CA has announced the expansion of its import berry program, now offering a wider selection of organic and conventional berries sourced from Mexico, Peru, and Chile.
With the addition of Peruvian blueberries and Mexican blackberries, Homegrown is strengthening its ability to deliver the flavor, quality, and consistency to their partners and consumers, regardless of the time of the year.
“We’re committed to providing our partners with a reliable berry program that supports them in every season,” said Stephen Paul, Deciduous Category Director. “By expanding our import offerings, we’re able to complement our domestic seasons and ensure retailers and consumers alike have access to the best fruit possible throughout the year.”
Homegrown’s import berry program now features:
- Peru (September–January): Conventional and organic blueberries, including the Emerald variety grown at high elevations, prized for consistency and dependable flavor.
- Chile (December–February): Conventional and organic blueberries sourced from leading production regions, providing seamless volume to carry programs through winter.
- Mexico (October–May): A diverse mix of conventional and organic blackberries, strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, including the premium Erandira blackberry and select raspberry varietals known for quality and flavor.
“With the addition of Peruvian blueberries and Mexican blackberries, we’ve significantly increased our volume and consistency,” added Jacob Garcia, Imports Category Manager. “We’re excited to work with our partners across Mexico, Peru, and Chile to build strong berry programs that deliver value across the supply chain.”
ABOUT HOMEGROWN ORGANIC FARMS — Homegrown Organic Farms has been a trusted name in fresh produce for over 25 years. As an employee-owned company, we are committed to stewardship farming that nourishes people, preserves the land, and strengthens communities. Representing family farms across California and Oregon, with organic and conventional fresh produce, we grow with care—cultivating fresh, flavorful fruits, including citrus, stone fruit, berries, and more. Learn more at hgofarms.com.
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Imports of Peruvian onions began on a limited basis by some importers with others getting underway in early September. Strong, consistent volumes are now being reported.
Bland Farms of Glennville, GA was shipping Vidalia sweet onions through late September and then transitioned to premium sweet onions from Peru.
Excellent size and quality are being reported as very strong this year by Bland.
G&R Farms of Glennville, GA typically offers Peruvian onions from Labor Day until Vidalia season kicks off in April.
The company notes this timing allows it to maintain a seamless supply of sweet onions for retail customers.
G&R describes the quality of Peruvian onions this year as “fantastic.”
Volume at G&R Farms is expected to be up 3% to 5% compared to last year.
Shuman Farms of Reidsville, GA began shipping Peruvian sweet onions in early September and will continue through late April. The company expects to have its normal production with good quality across the board.
L.G. Herndon Jr. Farms Inc., Lyons, GA completed its Vidalia sweet onions season this summer, and began receiving Peruvian onions in early August. Volume is expected to be similar to a year ago with supplies available until mid March.
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A recent California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) report projects an approximate 6 percent increase in Navel orange production, estimating 80 million boxes, up from 78 million in 2024.
However, California Citrus Mutual (CCM)of Exeter, CA cautions that estimate could be affected by factors such as pests and shifting market dynamics.
CCM observes last season the CDFA estimated 78 million, and while this report is estimating 80 million. This estimate is similar to a year ago, but the trade association notes a number of factors have to be considers such as early season varieties, mid-season, late season. What happens with each of these seasonal varieties can affect the overal numbers.
Pressure from various pests could actually reduce total volume below the CDFA projection.
Traditionally, citrus exports accounted for roughly 30 percent of shipments, but since 2017–18, the export share has dropped to about 20 percent, with 80 percent remaining in the domestic market.
Citrus imports have risen 414 percent since 2000, adding further pressure on growers’ profitability.
Nearly all California Navels are sold fresh. Juice production remains a minor segment due to high production costs and lower juice prices. Fruit that does not meet fresh market grades often moves to juice.
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An 18 percent increase in California walnut shipments are being predicted by the USDA’s National Agricultrual Statistics Service Objective Measurement Report. This puts the state’s production forecast at 710,000 tons from a year ago.
The forecast is based on 365,000 bearing acres, a decline of one percent from the previous year’s 370,000 acres. USDA staff conducted in-field measurements and sampling across major growing regions during July and August to compile the data.
Following a smaller crop in 2024, the 2025 harvest is seen having a stable, and high-quality supply, according to the California Walnut Board and Commission (CWBA).
Harvest of early walnut varieties started in September and should continue through early November.
Robert Verloop, executive director and CEO of the CWBA, says this year’s crop is much more in line with the state’s acreage numbers and expectations of production based on the age of the trees in the ground.
Verloop says about 65% of the crop is the Chandler variety, which is the most in demand.
“We’re actually very enthusiastic about this one,” he says. “This has been an incredible summer for growing trees and plants of any kind. And as a result, the nut crop looks fantastic. It’s about a week early, which is not unusual given that things have been growing along so well.”
While official harvest figures won’t be available until November, Verloop says an important figure to remember is the carryout number, or the amount of the 2024 crop in unsold inventory. He says he expects that number to range between 70,000 to 90,000 tons, which he says is already presold for September and October.
“Essentially, we’re starting with a sold-out position with the new crop coming in, and that will start shipping in the middle of October,” he says.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
As the season shifts from summer to fall, so does the offerings of fresh produce for The Giumarra Companies of Los Angeles.
Giumarra reports excellent quality and taste with Fuyu persimmons which will be shipped October through December and Sugar & Spice persimmons will begin at the end around Christmas.
The company’s California green kiwifruit will run from October through February.
Mandarins and navels will be available at the end of October.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
California Giant Berry Farms of Watsonville, CA, a leader in fresh berries, reports its has strong volumes now arriving from Peru.
The news release nots its harvest is a key part of the company’s year-round supply strategy, ensuring consistent availability of high-quality fruit.
The Peruvian blueberry season is now underway, with strong volumes expected to last through the end of the year. Conventional blueberry volumes are anticipated to reach their peak from the last week of October until mid December, offering a robust supply for the remainder of the year. Organic volumes from the region are forecasted to be steady and consistent throughout this same period.
This strong supply from Peru will be complemented by harvests from other key growing regions, including Chile and Mexico, further strengthening the company’s ability to provide a seamless, continuous supply of fresh blueberries.
“We’re extremely pleased with the start of our Peruvian blueberry season and the strong volumes we are seeing,” shares Tim Youmans, Vice President of Sales at California Giant Berry Farms. “Our focus remains on providing a year-round supply of the highest quality blueberries, and the ongoing harvests from Peru, complemented by other regions, allow us to maintain excellent availability for our retail and foodservice partners.”
To ensure optimum quality, California Giant’s quality control process is rigorous. The company ships directly from its Peruvian grower locations to its distribution sites, as well as its Santa Maria blueberry packing facility that features a state-of-the-art Unitec sorting line.
This advanced technology meticulously sorts blueberries for color, firmness, size, and other quality indicators, ensuring that only the highest-quality berries are packaged into each clamshell.
ABOUT CALIFORNIA GIANT BERRY FARMS
California Giant Berry Farms provides year-round supply of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries set the standard for quality and consistencyfor retailers, foodservice, and consumers. Over four decades as a privately held US family farming company, it has evolved into a global family united by a passion for delivering excellence.
Vancouver, B.C. — With import citrus at its seasonal peak, Oppy’s category continues to deliver premium quality and consistency from a deeply diversified global network of trusted growers.
Featuring dozens of varietals from over nine countries, Oppy’s citrus program brings the best of the Southern Hemisphere to shelves across North America. From juicy Murcott, Tango and Daisy mandarins to vibrant Navels and Cara Caras from Chile and Uruguay, the season is one of strong supply and standout flavor.
This season’s crop from the Southern Hemisphere has arrived with excellent quality and promotable volumes. Back-to-school timing aligns perfectly with the easy-peeling mandarin lineup now available, while the high-sugar Navels and Cara Caras offer eye-catching color and exceptional flavor for late summer citrus displays. South African grapefruit, increasingly recognized for its premium quality, has also arrived in good supply despite potential tariff challenges, noted Category Manager Michael Schaefer.
Oppy continues to focus on the varietals that drive success in the citrus category — easy peelers, Navels and lemons — while refining the mix within each to deliver even greater performance at retail. Investing in what works and doing it better each season means better flavor, improved shelf life and stronger partnerships from field to store shared Category Director Rodrigo Lopez.
Organic citrus remains a key area of expansion, particularly in the mandarin and grapefruit segments. Oppy is growing its organic lineup through trusted producers in South Africa, meeting increasing consumer demand for organic options.
About Oppy
Growing, marketing and distributing fresh produce from around the globe for over 165 years, Vancouver, BC-based Oppy discovers and delivers the best of the world’s harvest. With over 50 million boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables grown on every continent moving through its supply chain annually, Oppy offers popular favorites from avocados and berries to apples and oranges year-round, alongside innovative seasonal specialties. Over the years, Oppy has introduced North Americans to a number of items across its diverse produce range, including Granny Smith, JAZZ and Envy apples, as well as green and gold kiwifruit.
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The California avocado industry is having an extended shipping season with strong yields. The California Avocado Commission reports retail promotional volume through October.
While final season numbers are still pending, initial projections put the California harvest at 375 million pounds, which would bring production to a five-year high. In 2024, projections fell short as California growers surpassed the initial estimate of 208 million pounds by over 50 percent, ending the season with close to 350 million pounds harvested.
The season is expected to finish more quickly in some areas compared to last year’s longer tail-end harvest. The CAC attributes this to primarily to early-season demand and supporting programs.
There was strong demand around Cinco de Mayo, and more retailerss had supporting programs for California avocados early in the season. Despite an overall slowdown, many growers in the northern California region have paced their harvests to maintain volumes.
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As the 2025 harvest has pear orchards in the Pacific Northwest abuzz with activity, USA Pears is projecting a bountiful crop, with yields exceeding last year’s harvest by an estimated 60 percent. In a press release, the industry organization attributed the forecast to a relatively mild winter and favorable overall growing conditions.
The robust supply initially generated some market stability-related anxiety among growers, due to the recent closure of the industry’s largest canner. Fortunately, a USDA relief effort for up to $20 million for Northwest Bartlett pear growers is setting the stage to make 2025 an excellent year for USA Pears.
“Our growers in Washington and Oregon are excited about the quality and quantity of this year’s crop, and their enthusiasm is contagious as they bring more than 10 varieties and an abundant volume of fruit to market well into 2026,” says CarrieAnn Arias, president and CEO of USA Pears.
The pear harvest will continue through fall, which, combined with proper storage, means the fruit will be available to American consumers nearly year-round.
This last harvest report from USA Pears brings some long-awaited hope to growers in the country. Last year, the industry reported a historically low production volume, with a whopping 20 percent drop, totaling 470,000 metric tons—the smallest harvest since the 1967/68 season.
The organization attributed the 2024 decrease to damaging January freezes and a cold spring that impacted major producing states like Washington, Oregon, and California.
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