Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
U.S. Apple shipments were lagging at the start of the season during the past month or so, but overall volume is expected to be similar to 2021-2022.
But it’s going to be a little different for the 2022-2023 season simply because Washington represents 75 to 80 percent of fresh apple production in the United States. The growing conditions in Washington state are a critical factor in total US apple production for the country.
Honeybear Marketing LLC of Brewster, WA reports a difficult growing season in Washington this year due to a cool spring and a spotty bloom.
The vertically integrated, multi-region apple grower and packer reports the Honeycrisp and Gala varieties have been hit hardest and the state’s fresh apple production is expected to be down from 120 million bushels last year to a projected 105, to 110 million this year.
The Midwest and Northeast make up the remainder of US apple production. Each region has a share of about 10-15 percent in total US production. Last year was a tough year for the Midwest, only harvesting about 60 percent of a normal crop due to frost. This year however, both Michigan in the Midwest and New York in the Northeast are expecting a full crop. All in all, total US fresh apple production is expected to be similar to last year.
A colder spring is caused a late start with the apple harvest, which was delayed a couple of weeks and didn’t really get underway until around Labor Day for the early varieties. The result has been shipping gap, especially for varieties like Gala and Fuji. Some retailers have reported empty selves until the new crop to arrive in stores.
With many regions being out of fruit before new harvest arrives, retailers and processors are looking to the Southern Hemisphere for imported supplies. In fact further reliance on dual hemisphere supplies are predicted to last into the spring and summer of 2023 because the overall domestic crop volume for this year has not much different from last year.
Peruvian table grape exports for the 2022-23 season are predicted to increase by 11 percent to 71.5 million boxes equivalent to 8.2 kilograms each, according to Provid, the country’s table grape export association.
Besides volume increase, Peru has expanded its production season, which begins with the Red Globe in June and ends in March, covering almost the entire year. In Piura the seedless grapes start in September, following along the Peruvian coast until March in Ica, culminating with the second harvest in Piura in April.
Peru exported 64 million boxes of table grapes in the 2021-22 season, an increase of 13 percent compared to the 57 million boxes sent during previous season.
White seedless accounted for 42 percent of exports in 2021-22, up 37 percent from the previous season, followed by Red seedless (28 percent, +14 percent), as well as Red Globe (25 percent, -7percent) and Black seedless (3 percent, -20 percent).
Northwest potato hauling opportunities are improving as the harvest continues. Low supplies from the old crop had reduced chances of loading, combined with a high demand situation earlier in September.
Small sizes are plentiful resulting in a wide range of prices based on size, from a low of $10 per 50-pound carton of 100-size russets up to the low $40s for sizes 40 and 50, the USDA reports.
Norkotah Potatoes are being shipped out of Idaho and Washington.
Large-size Idaho Norkotah supplies (40- through 60-count) remain tight; small-size potatoes (70- through 100-count) are ample
Large-size order fulfillment is improving, but will remain sporadic
Norkotah quality remains good; skinning and excess moisture may be observed in fresh-run potatoes
MFC Norkotah Potatoes will begin to ship out of storage in mid-October.B
The new crop of Burbank harvesting has just started.
Burbank Potatoes will be available once the sweat process is completed in approximately late October to early November.
U.S. cranberry shipments are forecast to be 8.3 million (100-pound) barrels, up 4% from a year ago, according to The U.S. Cranberry Marketing Committee.
The U.S. Cranberry Marketing Committee, reports the majority of the cranberry crop is processed for juice concentrate and sweetened dried cranberries although the fresh and frozen category is growing.
“Cranberries have a very small window when fresh cranberries are available because they are so perishable. The fruit is harvested within a six-to-eight-week timeframe in September and October, depending on weather and fruit maturity.
Cranberries also are a unique product since it is only grown in the northern part of the U.S., unlike other specialty crops.
The 2022 crop experienced a variety of adverse weather across the country, beginning at the bloom stage in the Northwest and continuing with the extreme drought in the Northeast.
In addition, the upper Midwest experienced hail and other major weather events.
This is significant since Wisconsin produces the majority of cranberries in the U.S.
Shipments of fresh product are expected well into December, while whole frozen cranberries are typically available all year.
The increasing demand for fresh, frozen and sweetened dried cranberries has been notable in the past five years, in part to growing exports.
Wisconsin is the biggest cranberry-producing state, statistics show. In 2021, Wisconsin is projected to produce 5.2 million barrels of cranberries or about 63% of U.S. output.
The Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association, says the expanded crop in Wisconsin and the U.S. should have good demand, considering lighter harvests in 2020 and 2021.
Cranberries are grown on 21,000 acres across 20 counties in Wisconsin, according to the association. The sand and peat marshes in central and northern Wisconsin create ideal growing conditions for cranberries.
During the early 1890s, the center of the Wisconsin cranberry industry shifted to the Cranmoor area, just west of Wisconsin Rapids. Later developments occurred in the Black River Falls, Warrens and Tomah areas, followed by cranberry farms in northern Wisconsin, primarily around Manitowish Waters, Eagle River, Spooner and Hayward.
Other leading cranberry growing states, according to the U.S. Cranberry Marketing Committee’s 2022 forecast, include:
- Massachusetts: 1.89 million barrels
- New Jersey: 550,000 barrels
- Oregon: 510,000 barrels
- Washington: 160,000 barrels
Less than 5% of the cranberry crop is sold fresh.
Fresh cranberry shipments have been stable in recent years, according to statistics from the U.S. Cranberry Marketing Committee. Fresh shipments in 2020 totaled 285,814 barrels, up a little more than 1% from 2019 and 2018.
Processed cranberry sales have shown stronger growth in the last five years. The U.S. Cranberry Marketing Committee reported processed cranberry sales in 2020 were 5.78 million barrels, little changed from 2019 but up 10% from 2018.
Ocean Spray reports it will have ample fresh cranberries this fall. It is an agricultural cooperative owned by more than 700 cranberry farmers in the U.S., Canada and Chile.
The current 2022 crop forecast for Ocean Spray is over 7 million barrels, up from 6.6 million barrels of cranberries harvested in 2021.
North American cranberry harvest is active from mid-September through about mid-November; Ocean Spray also markets cranberries from Chile, which are harvested from March through May.
The co-op sources fresh cranberries from British Columbia, New Brunswick, Massachusetts, Wisconsin and Washington.
Oppy and Ocean Spray became partners in 2003 to market fresh cranberries.
Since then, Ocean Spray’s presence has expanded significantly to include strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, citrus and grapes through its partnership with Oppy.
Ocean Spray’s most popular fresh product is Ocean Spray Cranberries.
Americans typically consume about 80 million pounds of cranberries during Thanksgiving week alone.
The majority of Ocean Spray’s 12-ounce fresh cranberry bags ship in November.
Although the San Luis Valley Colorado got off to a show start this season due to weather factors, overall shipments have been strong as the season built steam, in part because of an early season gap in the west between an early ending old crop and the start of a new one.
The San Luis Valley ships about 1.6 billion pounds of potatoes a year, 90% of which go to the fresh market. An average volume crop is seen this season.
Tater Traders of Golden, CO, who ships San Luis Valley potatoes, reports similar potato crops nationwide for the 2021-2022 was down a bit, noting the valley expects about 1.5 billion pounds this year. Despite last season’s tight crop, the doesn’t anticipate too much of a shipping gap between a fully depleted pipeline and the October harvest.
Even with the new crop nearing harvest, Colorado grower-shippers could be facing another year of tight potato supplies.
Similar a year ago, the 2022-23 crop is down. Water shortages remain and may be worse this time around.
Skyline Potato of Center, CO a reports a crop about 10 days later than normal. A similar situation exists with crops in New Mexico and Idaho.
Wada Farms has regional offices in Monte Vista, CO., agrees, and sees average yields this year.
A shortage in supplies of western potatoes, including Idaho has resulted in buyers looking more the Colorado so far this season. Some buyers also are taking shipments from Colorado to save on freight rates when it is closer to their markets.
Farm Fresh Direct of America in Monte Vista, CO ., anticipates a quality 2022-23 potato crop and notes the potatoes are rebounding well from a slow start due to springtime winds and cool temperatures.
MILWAUKIE, Ore. – With harvest underway throughout the four growing regions, Pear Bureau Northwest (PBNW) announces the first official estimate of the 2022-23 fresh pear crop for Washington and Oregon. The industry’s fresh pear estimate is 16.2 million standard box equivalents, which is on par with the five-year average.
Across all regions, harvest started in mid-August for summer varieties like Starkrimson and Bartletts, with growers beginning to pick Bosc, Green and Red Anjou in early- to mid- September. Specialty pears like Comice, Seckel, Forelle and Concorde pears will also be available in September, to provide an exceptional assortment of unique and flavorful pear choices for shoppers.
The organic pear estimate is expected to come in at 1,823,000 million standard boxes equivalents, or 11% of the total projected Northwest crop.
“Pear growers are in full harvest mode right now, hand picking a new crop of beautiful, tasty pears starting with Bartletts and Starkrimson,” stated Kevin Moffitt, president and CEO of PBNW. “There will be a full range of sizes available, including popular large-sized fruit as well as smaller sizes to fill the popular pouch bags as well as sizes to fulfill export market demand.”
Bob Catinella, PBNW Director of Merchandising added, “As we emerge from pandemic restrictions, the Pear Bureau has been successful with in-person planning meetings with retailers nationwide.”
ABOUT PEAR BUREAU NORTHWEST
Pear Bureau Northwest is a non-profit marketing organization established in 1931 to promote the fresh pears grown in Washington and Oregon , home to 84% of the US commercial fresh pear crop. The Bureau represents over 700 grower families and partners with outlets throughout the world in an effort to increase overall success with the pear category. The organization provides marketing and merchandising expertise that is customized specifically for each retail organization, using its pear consumer research findings as well as individual store analysis using an in-house data system that measures pear category performance nationwide and third-party research to show retailers how they perform versus their competition.
The fall onion season in Washington state and Utah has kicked off for Onions 52, based in Syracuse, Utah. With demand for new crop onions exceedingly high, it has been a busy start to the season.
Harvest is in full swing in Washington state, and the company began storing onions in early September for its robust storage season. Storage onions have a significantly lower water content than summer onions, making them easier to store in climate-controlled sheds from early fall until the following spring. It is not unlikely for September-harvested onions to ship to stores late into May and even early June, according to Onions 52 Director of Marketing, Falon Brawley.
“Onions 52 is a one-stop onion shop, with a plethora of options for retail packs, private labeling, foodservice offerings, and everything in between for all color onions,” reports Shawn Hartley, Owner/VP of Sales at Onions 52. Hartley continues, “We are encouraged with the crop in the Northwest, including Idaho/Eastern Oregon. It has been a crazy start to the growing season in all areas.”
Partner sheds in Eastern Oregon started harvesting in late August and early September, Tiffany Cruickshank reported from the newly established Vale, Oregon office. Cruickshank states, “The crop looks variable due to a dry, cold, and windy spring coupled with multiple heat waves during the growing season. Some fields have certainly fared better than others. We are hopeful the growing conditions will allow the onions to put on a bit more size before harvest takes off.”
The Onions 52 farms will supply customers across the country with top-quality red, yellow, white, sweet, USDA-certified organic onions, and tearless Sunions®, from late August through early June.
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Onions 52, Inc. was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Syracuse, UT. They are a leading year-round grower-shipper of yellow, red, white, and sweet onions.
Michigan’s official crop estimate of 29.5 million bushels (1.239 billion pounds) was recently announced and the 2022 shipping estimate is well above average.
The Michigan Apple Committee reports ideal weather conditions in spring and summer and stored energy from 2021’s smaller crop has resulted in a large, high-quality apple.
Average annual shipments are approximately 24 million bushels. According to the USDA, Michigan harvested 15.6 million bushels of apples in 2021. There are more than 14.9 million apple trees in commercial production, covering 34,500 acres on 775 family-run farms in Michigan.
Many factors contribute to the size of an apple crop, including weather and the size of the previous year’s crop. To make the estimate, growers and other industry experts report on what they are seeing in various regions of the state, then come to a consensus on the crop size estimate.
Michigan apples are available nearly year-round and shipments in a good year are destined for 32 states and 18 countries worldwide.
The Michigan Apple Committee of Lansing, MI is a grower-funded nonprofit organization devoted to marketing, education and research activities to distinguish the Michigan apple and encourage its consumption in Michigan and around the world.
California fall fruit shipments are looking good as summer comes to a close.
Bari Produce in Fresno, CA, reports a fall set looking good across the board ranging from pomegranates to table grapes, persimmons and late yellow peaches.
While the company sees 2022 table grape volumes being similar to those of 2021, which were down slightly over the previous year, the grower/shipper expects an abundant crop for later-season varieties such as Autumn King, Crimson, Autumn Royal and Allison.
The table grape season is now in full swing for Homegrown Organics of Porterville, CA, and will hit peak production in October. By December 1, the operation will be in peak production for citrus, including oranges, lemons, Mandarins and grapefruit.
Following a short crop in 2021, Homegrown Organic’s fall citrus shipments should be closer to average. Following a poor crop last year, down around 35%, this year should more normal.
While the company notes yields for early varieties of Asian pear look a bit lighter than average, mid-season and later varieties should see a normal-size crop. Homegrown Organics will have average yields for both Hachiya and Fuyo persimmon varieties, and a light-to-normal kiwi crop.
Sunkist Growers of Valencia, CA will ship a variety of California citrus this fall ranging from lemons, to Valencia oranges and Marsh Ruby grapefruit through October. Navel oranges follow in November.
Grower and shipper Eagle Eye Produce, based in Idaho Falls, ID started shipping its new crop of yellow, red, and white onions from their facilities in Western Idaho & Eastern Oregon about a month ago.
The onion harvest, which got underway in the Snake River Valley of Western Idaho and Eastern Oregon will continue through most of September. The company also is harvesting red, yellow and white onions in Washington state. Shipments for russets, red and yellow potatoes started in late August.
Over the next few months, Eagle Eye growers will harvest thousands of acres of world-famous Idaho potatoes along with thousands of acres from key growing areas in Washington.
Eagle Eye reports the crop is looking very good and there is a tremendous amount of demand built up, due to the short supply year from last year’s crop. Overall acreage for this season is down due to limitations with irrigation water and increased input costs for growers and packers. With the challenges early in the growing season, the firm anticipates slightly smaller sizes and a bit lighter yield, but overall, is very pleased with the quality.
To prepare for the upcoming crop, Eagle Eye Produce has built new state of the art storage facilities and invested further into their packing facilities, with state-of-the-art equipment, technology, and automation to reduce labor constraints, improve quality, and contribute to more consistent packs year-round. Eagle Eye Produce has also bolstered its supply of red and yellow Idaho potatoes with increased acreage.
This industry-leading structure allows for one-stop loading of russet, red, yellow, and value-add products from their facilities in Idaho.
Eagle Eye Produce is headquartered in the heart of Idaho potato country, but they grow much more than potatoes. Annually cultivating more than 30,000 acres of fresh produce from Idaho to Mexico, and across most of the Western United States with a national sales and marketing team to support their diverse year-round commodity programs and proven brands. Eagle Eye Produce owns and operates state-of-the-art warehouses and packing facilities in Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and California,