Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
An increase in imports of Chilean nectarines by the U.S. and Europe are expected this season. A primary reason is due to the availability of 60 to 80 count size fruit, which are popular on both continents. The high volume in these sizes of nectarines is attributed primarily to the drought in Chile.
The first varieties available are Garcica, White Royal, Magique and Boreal followed later in mid-January with all the Pearl varieties. Harvest is 10-days later this season compared to the 2021 season.
To date, the entire Chilean industry has shipped 7,400 tons, which is approximately 30% less than last year during the same period. The decrease in volumes to date has been caused by challenging weather conditions. Growers expect to be catching up in 2022 with the total expected volume shipped to be very similar to last year, with an export volume of Chilean nectarines of 70,500 tons.
Tons per market estimates look like:
• Far East: 30,000 tons
• Europe: 12,000 tons
• USA East Coast: 11,000 tons
• USA West Coast:6,500 tons
• Canada: 2,000 tons
• Latam: 9,000 tons
As seen with other commodities this year including cherries, labor costs have increased 30% – 40% in packaging and packing costs. In addition, we are seeing freight rates almost double in particular to Asian markets.
As the season is just beginning, we are hopeful the freight and labors costs decrease once the Chilean Cherry season concludes.
A growth of eight to 10 percent in Mexican berry shipments is expected in 2022, according to a study by Agroberichten Buitenland.
The industry has grown significantly in recent years and will continue to do so this year.
Half of Mexico’s berry exports come from the state of Jalisco represent the third highest volume in the country behind beer and avocados.
During the past decade, strawberry, blueberry and raspberry production has tripled from 257,000 metric tons (MT) in 2011 to 754,000MT in 2020.
The total value of Mexican berry exports has increased fivefold during that time from $516 million in 2011 to $2.4 billion in 2020.
Raspberry exports have risen especially quickly from $180 million in 2011 to $1.1 billion in 2020. The National Association of Berry Exporters expects that in 2022, the total value of raspberry exports will exceed $3 billion.
Berries are grown in 22 of the 32 states in Mexico with Michoacán, Jalisco, Guanajuato, Sinaloa and Baja California being the main producing areas.
Jalisco has some 24,710 acres of berry farms and contributes 50 percent of the total export volume. Technology is used heavily in the state and growers obtain higher yields per acre.
Shipments of premium grade iceberg and romaine lettuce are finally increasing from the Arizona and California desert following freeze damage in early January. That is good news for produce haulers with improved quality being reported by Markon Cooperative Inc., of Salinas, CA in its weekly report to buyers.
On romaine lettuce, Markon says “Prices are inching down; supplies are increasing, while demand is weak. Quality is very good: fringe burn and light epidermal blistering/peeling are issues in some lots.”
On iceberg, it says, “The market is steady. Quality is very good: wind and freeze damage are being trimmed from outer leaves at harvest. MFC Premium Iceberg Lettuce is available.
Brawley, CA and Yuma, AZ lettuce – grossing $10,000 and more to New York City.
Peruvian table grape exports are expected to set a record this season.
The main export markets for these table grapes are the U.S., the Netherlands, Hong Kong, the UK, and China, among others.
Agraria reports from May to December 27, 2021, Peru exported 281,000 tons of fresh table grapes showing an increase of 17 percent compared to the 240,000 tons shipped during the same period the previous year.
Thus far this season the numbers reflect: October 36,500 tons, November 97,110 tons, as of December 27 138,320 tons.
Compared to the same months the previous year: October 37,000 tons, November 80,875 tons, and December 138,401 tons.
During the 2021/2022 season, it is expected to break a record in exports of fresh table grapes because the months of January, February, and March are yet to be counted and more late grapes, especially in February and March are forecast.
By the conclusion of the 2021/2022 season, exports of fresh table grapes from Peru should grow 20 percent in volume, compared to what was achieved in the previous season.
New York state apple shippers have a bumper crop this season and expect to be loading product into the summer months.
Hudson River Fruit Distributors of Milton, NY are shipping various varieties including newer ones such as SnapDragon, RubyFrost and Evercrip.
The company reports SnapDragon continues to increase in volume each season, with similar results taking place for EverCrisp and RubyFrost.
Apple quality is reported excellent for apples coming out of controlled atmosphere storage and that is expected to continue as the season progresses.
Washington apple growers have experienced a smaller crop than originally forecast.
Chile has exported 708,741 tons of fresh fruit, showing an increase of 7.85 percent when compared to the same period last year, according to
the Association of Fruit Exporters of Chile (ASOEX) in the current shipping season of 2021-2022 (September 1, 2021 – January 11, 2022).
The Far East is the main destination to date, with 301,181 tons received, but it represents a decrease of 4.75 percent compared to the previous season, as reported by Simfruit.
The Far East is the main destination to date, with 301,181 tons received, but it represents a decrease of 4.75 percent compared to the previous season, as reported by Simfruit.
The U.S. has received 177,642 tons, reflecting a significant increase of 54.6 percent.
Following the U.S. is Latin America with 114,936 tons (+10.45 percent), Europe with 106,849 tons (+21.35 percent), Canada with 6,354 tons (-19 percent), and the Middle East with 1,142 tons (+92 percent).
In terms of participation, the Middle East received 43 percent of all Chilean fruit exported to date, followed by the U.S. with 25 percent, Latin America with 16 percent, and Europe with 15 percent.
The main fruits exported to date are cherries (291,503 tons), avocados (97,188 tons), mandarins (87,869 tons), apples (97,188 tons), blueberries (55,371 tons), oranges (25,696 tons), and table grapes (17,373 tons).
However, increased rates for freight has led to lower margins for exporters and increased prices for consumers.
Honeybear Brands of Elgin, MN, a leading grower and marketer of premium apples, pears and cherries continues to grow its direct winter cherry program for retailers. The companies’ dual-hemisphere cherry program provides quality fruit available during winter, direct from Chile, and summer months, domestically from Washington and California.
Chilean Cherries are available late December through February and domestic cherries are available May through August.
Honeybear Brands has more than 25 years of experience growing and importing premium apples and pears in Chile through is growing partner Frusan. This partnership has created a seamless opportunity to provide a premier cherry supply to our retailers as Frusan continues to expand their cherry production.
“Imported cherries require detailed attention to successfully get into the customers shopping basket, and we’re proud of the supply chain we have built ensuring our customers get the freshest, most flavorful fruit from Chile driving repeat sales,” says Don Roper, vice president sales and marketing, Honeybear Brands.
“Grower partnerships in the Southern Hemisphere allow us to provide some of the highest-quality fruit in the world. We are dedicated to take that privilege and help retailers avoid shrink, drive high sales and gain repeat customers,” continues Roper.
About Honeybear Brands
Honeybear is a leading grower and developer of premium apple varieties. Family owned and operated for more than 45 years, the company is a leading vertically integrated, dual hemisphere grower, packer, and shipper. Honeybear offers supply of premium apples, pears and cherries on a year-round basis. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wescott Agri Products. For more information about Honeybear, visit www.honeybearbrands.com.
Chile is expected to ship 220,000 tons of avocados during the 2021-22 season, reflecting a whopping 57 percent increase over 140,000 tons during the 2020-21 year.
Chilean avocado exports are primarily to the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The 2020-21 season’s production was plagued by an early frost and drought conditions.
In 2020, the avocado plating area reached over 74,132 acres with 89 percent consisting of the Hass variety. Valparaiso is the main production region with 49,421 acres, representing 67 percent of the total planted area, followed by the Metropolitan and Coquimbo regions.
The strong domestic and international demand for avocados has raised prices the past two years. In the 2021-22 marketing year, domestic consumption will reach 100,000 tons representing almost 46 percent of production.
From January to May 2021, the average price for avocado increased significantly due to the seasonality of Chilean production and lower domestic supply as a result from reduced production in the 2020-21 marketing year.
Chilean avocado exports decreased by 58 percent in volume year-on-year totaling 16,400 tons and by 50 percent in value totaling $442.8 million.
Miami, FL – Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, distributors and marketers of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, is currently harvesting a variety of melons including cantaloupe, honeydew, specialty Harper and Tara melons and watermelon just in time for prime melon season. Once harvested, the produce giant ships the melons using its six recently purchased energy-efficient container vessels, which will help streamline delivery amid the global supply chain issues.
“At Fresh Del Monte, we will not let global supply chain issues stand in the way of delivering the freshest produce on the planet and this is especially true from our North American ports,” said Ana Cristina Fonseca, Vice President – Product Management (North America), Fresh Del Monte. “With melon season underway and supply chain shortages intensifying, Fresh Del Monte believes the use of our six additional container vessels has been invaluable in offering transportation solutions during these unprecedented times. We want to ensure customers receive the freshest products despite global shipping backlogs. As many produce authorities and retailers struggle to secure shipping container vessels to reduce product shortages, Fresh Del Monte’s container vessels have offered a helping hand to not only Fresh Del Monte, but to their competitors seeking help amidst the crisis.”
Fresh Del Monte continues to invest significant resources in research and development to expand the melon category and continuously offer products that meet consumer’s evolving needs. Since melons are grown in temperate locations and have a relatively short growing cycle, the brand can provide North American customers with not only in-season melons supplies, but year-round.
Fresh Del Monte has purchased six energy-efficient container vessels, which have offered a solution amidst supply chain issues. Used to help transport melons amongst other produce, the container vessels depart from ports in Costa Rica, Ecuador and Guatemala to help secure consistent service to customers and provide delivery to retailers at four ports in Manatee, Gloucester, Galveston and Hueneme across the United States. Given the perishable nature of fresh fruits and vegetables, each container vessel is air-cooled to maintain the cargo at specified temperatures, traveling in reefer mode with multiple temperature variants from -25C to 40C.
Fresh Del Monte melon varieties are shipped to select retailers nationwide.
Fresh Del Monte has been a market leader in growing and shipping premium quality fresh produce for several decades and a recognized authority in the fruit industry.
ABOUT FRESH DEL MONTE
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, marketers and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, as well as a leading producer and distributor of prepared food in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Fresh Del Monte markets its products worldwide under the DEL MONTE® brand (under license from Del Monte Foods, Inc.), a symbol of product innovation, quality, freshness and reliability for over 135 years. The Company also markets its products under the MANN™ brand and other related trademarks. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is not affiliated with certain other Del Monte companies around the world, including Del Monte Foods, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Del Monte Pacific Limited, Del Monte Canada, or Del Monte Asia Pte. Ltd. Fresh Del Monte is the first global marketer of fruits and vegetables to commit to the “Science Based Targets” initiative. Fresh Del Monte Produce is traded on the NYSE under the symbol FDP.
Potato shipments from the Red River Valley of North Dakota and western Minnesota are down 15 to 20 percent this season, with loadings expected to continue until June.
The Northern Plains Potato Association of East Grand Forks, MN reports the major varieties for the fresh market are Red and Dark Red Norland, and for the frozen processing market the Russet Burbank and Umatilla are popular. The favored chipping varieties are Cascade and Dakota Pearl, while seed potatoes are very diversified.
The NPPA notes yellow potatoes have been increasing for a decade, without any signs of a slow down. While yellow acreage has increased an estimated 8 percent, red acreage is off 1-2 percent. However, red potatoes are still the dominant variety for the region.
The Red River Valley is one of the nation’s top-10 potato growing areas — and it is the largest producer of red potatoes in the United States and one of the top-five yellow potato production areas.
While some potato shed have rail sidings, arrivals of rails cars are often a week or more late in arriving.
Strong winter strawberry shipments, led by its Florida and Mexico growing regions, is predicted by California Giant Berry Farms, headquartered in Watsonville, CA.
The company reports its 2021-2022 Florida strawberry season started strong, with the long term weather outlook appearing to be better than a year ago. Florida strawberry shipments got underway in time for Christmas and peak shipments are expected in mid-February – around Valentine’s Day.
The strong forecast comes at a critical time for California Giant, as strawberry volumes are tight, following heavy rains in October that ended much of the Watsonville/Salinas growing season. Concurrently, the Santa Maria fall crop finished, as colder temperatures and wet weather becomes more frequent.
In addition to the strong Florida crop forecast, California Giant’s strawberry production shipments from Central Mexico are expected to continually increase in the coming months, with the growing regions season in its early stages. The region, known for its traditionally strong winter harvest is on track to produce as expected.
Florida strawberries and vegetables – grossing $4000 and more to New York City.