Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
LOS ANGELES, CA – As the second largest cherry importer, Pacific Trellis Fruit is looking forward to the upcoming import Cherry season. Marcial Hernandez, Director of Imported Fruit elaborates on the upcoming season. “With increased volumes of cherries arriving in the US from Chile and Argentina, we are looking forward to increased opportunities to work with our customers in promoting cherries well into March. The first fruit to arrive via vessels should be available the third week of December, just in time for New Year’s ads”, said Hernandez.
Pacific Trellis Fruit is sourcing cherries from both Chile and Argentina, providing random weight bags and fixed weight 1lb or 2lb clamshells under the Dulcinea® brand. Fruit can be flown into Miami along with vessel arrivals at East and West Coast ports. Much of the fruit is brought to the US in bulk shipments of 5 Kilo boxes and repacked using a wet-line to provide additional quality control. Fully staffed QC teams manage both the inbound/outbound product from the shipping point to the customer. Dan Carapella, Jr, Director Special Projects, Senior Sales Executive and Category Manager for Cherries, is also working both the supply and retail side to promote the fruit. “Pacific Trellis Fruit is recommending ads to run weeks 2-8 to take full advantage of promotional supplies as well as promote late Argentine fruit. There will also be a small Rainier Cherry program with fruit arriving towards the end of December. We are seeing that many customers have already penciled in big ads in both mid-January as well as for Valentine’s Day in February,” added Carapella.
In addition to the Cherries, Imported Stone Fruit is also front and center for Pacific Trellis Fruit. Available are peaches, plums, and nectarines from Chile, along with a dynamic plum program from S. Africa. “ We have air shipments into Miami along with vessel arrivals to the East Coast, where our dedicated quality control team manages our extensive repack capabilities. Our operations team monitors all inbound/outbound shipments allowing Pacific Trellis Fruit the ability to manage supply and optimize quality”, said Tim Davis, Stone Fruit Category Manager. “We have a terrific program of yellow and white flesh nectarines, late season plum varieties including Applums, Lemon Plums and D’Agen Sugar Plums and availability of a number of high-flavor/high-brix plum varieties like Ruby Sun, Black Pearl, and Green Red (aka Flavor Gator) out of S. Africa which will arrive in mid-January and end in April”, added Davis.
About Pacific Trellis Fruit
Pacific Trellis Fruit® is one of North America’s top year-round importers, growers, and marketers of premium fresh fruit, including melons, grapes, stone fruit, cherries, and citrus. In 2014, Dulcinea® was acquired by Pacific Trellis Fruit and became their consumer-facing brand. Dulcinea is the pioneer of the PureHeart® personal seedless watermelon, the Tuscan-Style® cantaloupe and SunnyGold® yellow mini seedless watermelon. Pacific Trellis Fruit also features Kiss Melons, a line of high quality, great tasting melons. Pacific Trellis’ corporate headquarters is in Los Angeles, CA, with sales offices in Fresno, CA, Gloucester, NJ, and Tucson, AZ. For more information on Pacific Trellis Fruit and Dulcinea, visit https://www.pacifictrellisfruit.com/
In the third estimate of the season, Chile’s ASOEX’s Table Grape Committee has further reduced the export forecast.
The Committee now expects volumes to reach 66.9 million boxes, which is 10% lower than last season and 2.5% lower than the second estimate.
“The decrease is due to a varietal reconversion that the industry has been doing for some time and that is today beginning to see its fruits, since more than 50% of exports will be of new varieties,” said Ivan Marambio, president of ASOEX.
The executive added that it has been more than a decade since “the sector began with this effort, and this season will mark a milestone in terms of volumes in exports of our grapes”.
For the upcoming season, Chile will send 36.3 million boxes of new varieties and 19.5 million boxes of traditional varieties. In addition, 11.2 million boxes of Red Globe will also be shipped. This particular variety is increasingly losing ground in exports, dropping 25% this season compared to last year.
Among the new varieties, red varieties lead shipments with 17.6 million boxes, where Timco, Allison and Sweet Celebration stand out. White varieties follow with 14.1 million boxes, especially ARRA 15, Timpson and Sweet Globe.
Finally, the new black varieties with 4.5 million boxes, are led by Sweet Favours, Sable Seedless and Sweet Sapphire.
Regarding destinations, Ignacio Caballero, Coordinator of the Committee, said that “the U.S. will continue to be our main market. We are estimating that close to 40 million boxes will be destined for this market, 15 million will be delivered to Asia, while 9 million will go to Europe, followed by 6 million to other destinations such as Latin America and the Middle East.”
Caballero also indicated that “estimates fluctuate based on external variables that affect the volume, availability, dates and destinations of our grapes, such as weather conditions, freight, availability of workers and other global logistical variables external to the sector. According to the Committee’s plan, we will deliver a fourth estimate at the end of December”.
There will be less onion volume this year for shipping, which is expected to last throughout the winter.
Excellent quality is being reported on all sizes of storage onions.
Total U.S. onion shipments for the week of Oct. 23-29 totaled 2.52 million 40-pound carton equivalents, down 9% from 2.75 million cartons the same time last year.
Domestic truck shipments for the week of Oct. 23-29 accounted for about 1.79 million cartons, domestic rail shipments accounted for 97,000 cartons and domestic piggyback shipments accounted for 6,000 cartons.
Top domestic suppliers of onions in late October were Washington, Idaho, Oregon, New York, California, Utah, Michigan, Colorado and California.
Washington accounted for 837,000 cartons of onions the week of Oct. 23-29, or about 33% of total shipments in late October. Idaho accounted for 461,000 cartons or about 16% of total supply. Oregon accounted for 124,000 cartons or about 6% of total shipments.
New York accounted for 171,000 cartons or about 7% of total onion shipments in late October. Colorado accounted for about 97,000 cartons or about 4% of total shipments.
Snake River Produce, Nyssa, Ore., reports many Northwest U.S. onion growers saw shorter-than-expected crop volume this fall, which was even worse than last season.
Onion imports accounted for 624,000 cartons during the week of Oct. 23-29, down from 676,000 cartons the same week last year. Imports accounted for about 25% of the total U.S. onion supply in late October.
Peru alone accounted for 518,000 cartons or about 21% of total U.S. onion shipments in late October. Other countries sending onions to the U.S in late October include Canada, Mexico and Spain.
A drop of about 7% in Chilean table grape production and exports may occur this season, according to the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service annual report on Chilean deciduous fruit.
In the marketing year 2022-23, USDA’s FAS Santiago office estimates table grape production will decrease by 7.1%, totaling 732,000 metric tons.
The decrease in production is a result of a decrease in table grape area planted. Planted table grape area decreased from 133,068 acres in 2011-12 to 106,500 acres in 2021-22.
For the marketing year 2022-23, the report said planted table grape area is expected at 105,000 acres, a 1.4% decrease from 2021-22.
“According to industry contacts, production of new varieties is taking the place of traditional varieties such as red globe,” the report said. “While new varieties like Allison, Arra-15, Timco, and Sweet Celebration are growing in area, more traditional varieties are decreasing at a faster rate.”
Table grape production is trending downwards because of drought and competition from more profitable crops.
Drought has caused a decline in table grape production in recent years, the report said, and the lack of water is considered a structural problem that will persist in the upcoming marketing years.
“Notably, rainfall in marketing year 2022-23 was abundant and may have mitigated more serious declines in grape production; however, those gains are not expected to be long-term,” the report said.
The most recent data from the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture’s Office of Policy and Studies shows a decrease in the planted area across all regions.
The USDA said the decrease in planted area is especially high in the Valparaiso region, where walnuts and citrus have replaced some of the planted table grape area, and in the O’Higgins region, where more profitable crops like cherries and walnuts are growing in planted area.
The USDA said Chilean grape exports will decrease by 7.1%, according to the report, totaling 565,000 metric tons.
Last season saw a 15.7% increase in Chilean table grape exports, the report said, totaling 608,110 metric tons.
Between March and May in 2022, table grape exports increased significantly over the same period in 2021.
Delays at both Chilean and international ports were longer from February to April. In March 2022, the Chilean Fruit Producers Association (FEDEFRUTA) requested priority at the Chilean port of Valparaiso for table grapes, due to the overwhelming demand for cargo and the perishable nature of their products.
During March and April of 2022, Chilean exporters reported delays in the port of Philadelphia, which was caused by the requirement for methyl bromide fumigation. The delays caused fines, demurrage, and decreased quality of some of the shipments that were delayed for long periods of time, the report said.
The U.S. is the main market for Chilean table grape exports and shipments, accounting for about half of Chilean grape exports. Shipments to the U.S. in 2021-22 increased by 21.7% to 310,033 metric tons.
China is the second largest market for Chilean table grapes, buying about 77,610 metric tons in 2020-21, or about 12.8% of total Chilean grape exports, the report said. Chilean exporters expect shipments of red globe and other red seedless varieties to China to remain strong in 2022-23, the report said.
APPLES AND PEARS
The USDA report estimates Chilean apple production at 1.03 million metric tons, a 0.6% decrease from last season based on lower planted area. Apple exports will total 605,000 metric tons in 2022-23, a 0.8% decrease from last season.
“Higher yields in the marketing year 2022-23 should offset some of the reduction in planted area and thus exports volume is expected to decrease very slightly,” he said.
The declining trend in planted pear area, will mean Chilean pear exports will decrease by 2.6% and total 112,000 metric tons.
“Pear producers face low margins compared to other crops and increasing costs have limited the planted pear area growth,” the report said. “However, existing pear producers are very efficient, and can export and obtain profits.”
Peruvian grape production and exports will have a significant increase this season, according to the USDA.
In the USDA’s annual report on Peruvian deciduous fruit estimated grape production in Peru will reach 766,000 metric tons in marketing year 2022-23, an increase of 7% compared with last season.
The USDA said Peruvian grape exports are forecast to reach a record 586,000 metric tons in 2022-23, 8% higher than a year ago. The U.S. will continue to be the lead export market, the USDA said.
In calendar year 2021, the U.S. imported 204,849 metric tons of Peruvian grapes, followed by the Netherlands with 86,846 metric tons and Hong Kong with 41,225 metric tons.
The country has a dry coast where daily temperatures consistently range between 57 degrees to 86 degrees Fahrenheit and over 12 hours of sunlight per day, year-round, the report said. That makes the region ideal for grape production.
“These conditions, combined with precision irrigation, enable Peru to mature vines 55% faster than in neighboring countries,” the report said. Grape production is mainly located in Ica (41%) and Piura (22%), with total area under cultivation is estimated at near 84,000 acres. The grape harvesting season in Peru begins in late October and ends in April.
The red globe variety continues to be the most produced (25%) grape due to consumer preference in the Chinese market, the USDA report said.
However, the report said the red globe variety has been losing ground to higher value varieties such as Sweet Globe (18%), Allison (7%), Autumn Crisp (6%), Sweet Celebration (5%), crimson seedless (5%), Jack’s Salute (4%) and Timpson (4%).
Fresh table grapes are one of the top produce exports by value for Peru, the USDA said, with 2021 export value of $1.25 billion up 23% compared with 2020.
The overall export market averaged $2,436 per metric ton for Peruvian grape exports, 4% higher than in 2020. Prices for the U.S. market averaged $2,540. Peruvian grape exports to the U.S. peak between December and January due to seasonally higher prices.
MAS Melons & Grapes, LLC of Rio Rico, AZ. had a great November shipping Mexican melons following a shaky start in October.
MAS will be shipping mini-watermelons from Hermosillo, Sonora, until around Dec. 20.
In January MAS Melons will be shipping a nice quality crop from the states of Colima and Nayarit in southern Mexico. This includes Orange Candy melons, Honeydew melons, mini- and seedless watermelons. These will be shipped until early April.
Last November was the most successful watermelon season the company had experienced in 35 years in the watermelon business. In fact, it was the best season ever.
MAS shipped Sonoran seedless watermelons for six weeks, ending in late November.
Supplies of some California winter vegetables, lettuces in particular, were tight for Thanksgiving, but availability was good on others, and volume overall should increase by Christmas.
Ocean Mist Farms of Castroville, CA report the lettuce shortage started as the Salinas season was completed.
Salinas was described and being “…a rough end to the season,” with severe virus problems in the Salinas Valley.
F.O.B. prices for 24-count cartons of romaine lettuce were in the $80 range in early November, according to the USDA. A year earlier, they were less than half that.
Ocean Mist began sourcing lettuce out of Yuma, AZ, just prior to Thanksgiving week.
Boskovich Farms of Oxnard, CA report disease problems with California celery as well.
The Nunes Co., of Salinas notes volume for broccoli and cauliflower could be down due to cooler than normal weather. The company transitioned to its Arizona and Mexico desert growing areas in early November.
Despite the gloomy outlook for some items, growers were optimistic about other commodities.
Progressive Produce LLC of Los Angeles has positive news noting there are plenty of holiday staples like potatoes, onions and asparagus available, with good quality.
Progressive Produce sources from Colorado, Washington, California and Idaho during the winter.
The Nunes Co. will ship 40 conventional and 30 organic products this fall and winter. Its core items include organic and conventional romaine, iceberg and leaf lettuces, cauliflower, broccoli and celery. Celery, broccoli and cauliflower shipments are especially good during the holidays.
Coastline Family Farms of Salinas will continue to ship full line of over 25 products this season, including iceberg lettuce, broccoli bunches and crowns, cauliflower, naked and sleeved celery, romaine cartons, romaine hearts, green and red leaf lettuces, green onions and a full line of bunching items.
The company began shipping from the desert in Yuma the first week of November with iceberg and romaine lettuce. Its other vegetable items come of Brawley, CA in the Imperial Valley, which started started right after Thanksgiving.
About 75% of Ocean Mist Farms’ winter volume comes from California’s Coachella Valley, Munger said, and 25% comes from Yuma.
The transition to Coachella from the Salinas area took place by the third week of November for most items.
Ocean Mist is the largest artichoke grower in North America, although the company also ships 30 other items, including broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, celery, leaf lettuces: iceberg, romaine, romaine hearts, yellow and green leaf lettuce, spinach; and some specialty items like anise and escarole.
Boskovich Farms of Oxnard is shipping onions, radishes, kale, romaine hearts and beets from Mexico. The company also grows parsley, cilantro, spinach and celery year-round in Oxnard.
During the past three decades Chile was the primary supplier of fruit to the U.S. market, and this success has attracted more competition.
Chile accounted for 41% of U.S. import grape value from September 2021 through August 2022, up from 39% for the same period in 2021 but down from 64% in 2015 and nearly half of its 76% share in 2000.
For berries, excluding strawberries, Chile accounted for 9% of total U.S. imports in 2022, down from 14% in 2021, 21% in 2015 and 11% in 2000.
Chile represents 20% of U.S. citrus imports by value in 2022, unchanged from 2021 and about the same as in 2015.
In 2022, Chile commands big market share advantages for U.S. imports of cherries (53%), plums (91%), peaches (98%) and apples (52%). For pears, Chile accounts for 18% of U.S. import pear value in 2022.
Chile accounts for 24% of U.S. kiwifruit imports, down from 26% in 2021 and off from 41% in 2015.
For the upcoming season, the Chilean Blueberry Committee, with the consulting firm iQonsulting, has estimated export volume of 98,228 tons of fresh blueberries from Chile for the 2022-23 season, down about 8% compared with last year. Shipments to the U.S. began in October and will continue through February.
Chilean cherry shipments to the U.S. began the last week of October and will increase, continuing into February, according the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association.
Chile is the world’s largest exporter of cherries, shipping 77.8 million boxes around the globe last year. The South American country projects cherry exports to the U.S. will have substantial growth in 2021-22, with nearly 13,000 metric tons expected for the U.S. market this season.
Following two disappointing years, Texas citrus is expected to rebound this season, although it certainly will not be setting any records.
Texas Citrus Mutual reports for the 2022-23 season, growers are expecting a strong harvest after two years stymied by extreme weather which included a hurricane one year and a freeze another year.
Lone Star Citrus Growers is a family-owned, conventional grapefruit and orange packing shed based in Mission, Texas. The company hopes to have 80 percent of a normal crop a year from now, which would be the 2023-24 season.
While no official numbers are being reported as yet, Texas’ Rio Grande Valley had about 2 million 85-pound boxes of oranges in 2019 and around 1.5 million boxes in 2020. Grapefruit shipments were about 5.7 million 80-pound boxes in 2019 and 4.9 million cartons in 2020. Around 40 percent of both oranges and grapefruit go to the fresh market.
The 2022-23 Michigan apple crop is shattering shipping records.
Riveridge Produce Marketing, Inc., Sparta, MI, reports it has surpassed its all-time production record by 20-25%. The grower/shipper packs more than half of Michigan’s fresh apple crop and has a presence in all but one of Michigan’s apple producing areas.
In August the Michigan Apple Committee announced a crop estimate of a whopping 29.5 million bushels. This is 10 million more bushels than in the 2021-22 season. Michigan apple growers produced 15.6 million bushels last year, according to the USDA. Informal estimates now place 2022-23 volume at about 34-38 million bushels!
Riveridge reports this banner season is especially good news because it follows three consecutive disappointing Michigan apple crops. Part of the reason the 2022-23 crop was so good is that the trees had not been stressed by large crops for a long time. It was a strong bloom and fruit set. This year, Michigan apple trees were tight on maturity, with the fruitlets on the trees ranging in maturity within three to five days. Some years that span can vary by two weeks.
Riveridge’s apple marketing position is stronger because of a short crop in the Pacific Northwest. The company plans on filling those voids.
A strategic move for Riveridge is growing apple varieties and strains wanted by consumers. Galas and Fujis are key varieties for Riveridge. A lot of the apple industry that has focused on expensive, proprietary varieties, which the company believes has confused many consumers.