Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
MountainKing Potatoes of Houston expects strong quality for its fall harvest of fresh potatoes in Colorado’s San Luis Valley.
MountainKing’s creamers and fingerlings began shipping in late September. Its Butter Reds and Butter Russets will be available by the end of October.
“The 2021 crop outlook is very bright,” Andreas Trettin, director of marketing for MountainKing Potatoes, said in a news release.
“The ability of our farms to evaluate prior season successes and setbacks have provided us with a great road map. Modifications were made to fertilization and irrigation plans as well as land changes amongst our varieties. These adjustments continue to breed improvement year after year.”
MountainKing’s early harvest test digs indicate impressive potato sizes with minimal bruising, Trettin.
MountainKing will see “dramatically increased” acreage for its yellow-flesh varieties as shoppers continue to shift from traditional white-flesh reds and russets to more flavorful yellow-flesh types, according to the release.
MountainKing acreage expanded by 94% for its Butter Russets, 30% for its Creamer Reds and 14% for its Butter Golds, according to the company. In total, MountainKing allocated more than 1,200 acres for its yellow-flesh varieties. The company also dedicated more than 400 acres for its small potatoes.
“We spend a lot of time in the offseason examining IRI data and customer feedback on the different varieties,” Trettin said. “Our increased acreage directly reflects customer purchasing habits and national potato sales trends.”
Mexican raspberry exports soared by 18.9 percent in the first six months of the year, maintain a positive streak, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
There were 68,153 tons of raspberries exported during the first half of 2021, with foreign sales already seeing an increase of 21 percent from 2019 to 2020, going from $912.4 million to over $1 billion.
Mexican raspberries have been exported to 33 countries located in North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania, such as Canada, the Netherlands, Russia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Hong Kong, Ireland, and Kuwait.
However the main buyer is the U.S.
Foreign sales of these berries stood at $713 million as of May, posting nearly 20 percent more than the $599.8 million for the same period in 2020, according to information from the Agrifood and Fisheries Information Service (SIA
Raspberry production has also made progress in Mexico, increasing 13.6 percent in 2020, going from 128,848 tons in 2019 to 146,343 in December of last year.
Jalisco is the main producer of these berries with 104,080 tons, followed by Michoacan with 28,895 tons, and Baja California with 10,222 tons.
In 2019, Mexico was the world’s second largest producer of raspberries with 128,848 tons and presents the biggest agricultural yield of these berries in the world. Mexico consumes .3 kg per capita.
Most of Texas’ few thousand acres of pumpkins are grown in Floyd County around Floydada, a small agricultural town northeast of Lubbock.
Pumpkin shipments are mostly directed to wholesalers and shipped throughout Texas, Oklahoma and as far east as Mississippi.
Pumpkins represent a small amount of acreage when it comes to crop production, but Floydada is famous for its pumpkins. Illinois produces around 90% of the nation’s crop, but a handful of growers around the Texas town continues to produce high-demand heirloom and jack-o’-lantern standard varieties.
Growers in Floyd County are averaging around 30,000 pounds per acre with good quality aside from early planted jack-o’-lantern varieties that matured with soft outer shells.
Last year, yields were down about 30% due to drought. This year, production was average, but demand is strong.
Stormy summer weather limited tomato shipments from the East Coast, while California loadings have remained steady.
Markon Cooperative reports the “East Coast has lower volume due to previous tropical storms that impacted plant health and reduced yields” and “Tennessee and North Carolina regions are expected to have a shorter season this year; additional grading is required.”
Florida is still a fews weeks away from commercial production.
Meanwhile, California round and Roma tomato production is steady.
“Round tomatoes from Northern California are of good quality; 6×6 and 6×7 sizes dominate the crop,” Markon said. “Roma quality is good; large to jumbo sizes are more prevalent.”
Mexico sees steady volume as it works through previous weather-related quality issues.
“Vine-ripe and Roma volume in Jalisco and San Luis Potosi is on the lighter side due to prior rain storms. Overall volume had increased by mid-October.
The initial 2021-22 California Navel orange shipping forecast is 70.0 million cartons, down 14% from the previous year, according to a report by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).
Of the total Navel orange forecast, 67 million cartons are estimated to be in the Central Valley. Cara Cara variety Navel orange production in the Central Valley is forecast at 6 million cartons.
These forecasts are based on the results of the 2021-22 Navel Orange Objective Measurement (O.M.) Survey, which was conducted from June 15 to Sept. 1, 2021.
Estimated fruit set per tree, fruit diameter, trees per acre, bearing acreage, and oranges per box were used in the statistical models estimating production.
This forecast includes production of conventional, organic, and specialty Navel oranges (including Cara Cara and Blood orange varieties).
Survey data indicated a fruit set per tree of 239, down 25% from the previous year and below the five-year average of 344. The average Sept. 1 diameter was 2.145 inches, below the five-year average of 2.208 inches. The Cara Cara orange set was 211 with a diameter of 2.146 inches.
LOCKPORT, N.Y. — Crunch Time Apple Growers, a New York State-based cooperative of 152 member growers, announced its largest anticipated crop volume of SnapDragon™ apples: 400,000 bushels, a 25 percent increase year-over-year. The sweet, crisp apples are being packed and shipped, with the first apples hitting select produce aisles now, and wider distribution expected in Q4 2021 and Q1 2022.
This harvest season will also mark the first with three new distribution partners: Applewood Fresh Growers LLC, and
Riveridge Produce Marketing, both of Sparta, MI; and Rice Fruit Company, Gardners, PA. These new packers and shippers will allow Crunch Time Apple Growers to expand its geographic reach among existing grocers and new retail partners, particularly in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic.
“While other premium apple varieties grown elsewhere in the U.S. have seen challenges, we’re seeing really good size, color and flavor as harvest begins in upstate New York,” said Jessica Wells, Crunch Time Apple Growers executive director. “After months of nurturing the crop, our growers are excited to get SnapDragon apples, with their Monster Crunch and amazing flavor, into the hands of consumers. We know from our social media channels consumers are ready too.”
“SnapDragon is a variety that changes what people think of eating apples,” said fifth-generation farmer Joel Crist of Crist Bros. Orchards Inc. and Crunch Time Apple Growers board chair. “SnapDragon has always been about elevating the consumer eating experience and driving consumption of fresh apples. It’s easy for us to understand why, in a very short period of time, SnapDragon has risen to the top of the pack.”
To demonstrate the ongoing success of SnapDragon in the premium apple category since its release in 2014, Crunch Time Apple Growers recently partnered with Category Partners, a top market analyst firm for the food and beverage industry, to study the top 10 retailers that carried SnapDragon apples during the 2020 crop year (October 2020 to June 2021), in addition to reported Nielsen data. The findings showed:
- SnapDragon was ranked the sixth most popular premium apple variety nationwide and the top premium apple grown on the East Coast.
- SnapDragon generated year-over-year volume growth in all of the top 10 retailers and was the only apple that showed growth across all retailers in the study.
- SnapDragon posted double-digit sales growth year-over-year in the East Coast market.
- SnapDragon grew seven percent overall in volume year-over-year across all markets.
- In terms of dollar growth, SnapDragon generated the 10th strongest performance among the 26 identified premium apple varieties.
While strawberries may be seen more as a summer shipping item, good fall volume is seen for the months ahead.
Nearly 25 percent of total California fresh strawberry shipments in 2020 were shipped from September through December, according to USDA figures.
As of August 8, fresh strawberry shipments from California had totaled 137.7 million crates, down from 145.4 million crates the same time last year, but similar to 137.1 million trays two years ago. At the same time in 2020, about 31% of the of 210-million-crate 2020 crop remained to be shipped.
California fresh strawberry volume was running at 5.9 million crates for the week ending August 7.
Well- Pict of Watsonville, CA reports hot weather in the West has not affected strawberry production as much it may have had an effect on other crops. The weather in California strawberry growing regions had not been a hot as in other growing areas with the exception of a short hot period in May. Watsonville fields have been producing a steady crop of good color, size and tasting strawberries that is expected to continue into the later parts of October.
That crop will then be supplemented by Well-Pict’s summer-planted crop in Oxnard.
The California Strawberry Commission of Watsonville projected weekly volume in the fall period of summer-planted strawberries, grown in Santa Maria and Oxnard, is expected to be up about 5% compared with 2020. California’s total fresh shipments for the 2021 season will fall somewhere between the 202-million-crate crop in 2019 and 210 million crates packed in 2020.
The Peruvian table grape industry is forecast to export a record volume of fruit in the upcoming season, with the first estimate pegging shipments above 60 million boxes for the first time.
In its first forecast of the 2021-22 campaign, industry body Provid said exports were on course to rise by 9 percent year-on-year to 62.5 million boxes equivalent to 8.2 kilograms.
“We are strengthened by our varietal reconversion to more attractive varieties and the successful diversification of volume to different markets,” said Provid President Manuel Yzaga.
He added that Provid and phytosanitary watchdog SENASA have done a good job of opening up new markets to the Peruvian table grape industry over recent years, with the Japanese market also likely to soon be available to shippers. In addition, he said the industry was working to be able to export grapes to China via air freight.
“As Peru is the second largest exporter of table grapes in the world ranking, Provid is responsible for providing key information that will enable suppliers, markets and other stakeholders to manage volumes as efficiently as possible,” he added.
Yzaga went on to say that for this season, the challenges for growers and packers is to supply grapes of good quality and condition to achieve the best possible economic returns, “especially considering the complex environment in which we find ourselves due to the global pandemic”.
“Workers, strategic allies of the sector – we have made a call to our associates to maintain and surpass the already good labor standards that characterize us.
“Shipping lines, logistics agents, SENASA, among others – we must be able to absorb growth efficiently and effectively.”
PORTLAND, Ore. – With harvest in full swing throughout the four growing regions of the Pacific Northwest, the pear industry is releasing the first official estimate of the 2021-22 fresh pear crop for Washington and Oregon. The industry’s fresh pear estimate is 16.1 million standard box equivalents, which is very close to a four-year average.
“Pear growers are reporting an excellent quality crop this season with some saying it is the best they have seen in a decade,” stated Kevin Moffitt, President and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest (PBNW). “The fruit finish for this year’s pear crop is outstanding with beautiful shape and high sugars.”
Harvest started in early August for summer varieties like Starkrimson and Bartletts across all regions, with growers beginning to pick Bosc, Green and Red Anjou within the last half of August. Specialty pears like Comice, Seckel, Forelle and Concorde pears became available in September.
The organic pear estimate is expected to come in at 1.94 million standard boxes, which is nearly 12% of the total projected Northwest crop.
“The industry is passionate about providing consumers with the best possible eating experience,” stated Moffitt. “To meet consumer demands for sweet and juicy pears to enjoy 1 to 3 days from purchase, the industry continues to expand and promote the conditioning program, which is proven to increase retail sales and enhance the consumer eating experience.” Moffitt continued.
About Pear Bureau Northwest/USA Pears
Pear Bureau Northwest is a non-profit marketing organization established in 1931 to promote the fresh pears grown in Washington and Oregon, home to 87% of the US commercial fresh pear crop. The Bureau represents over 800 grower families and partners with outlets throughout the world in an effort to increase overall success with the pear category.
LOS ANGELES – The Giumarra Companies is expanding its domestic citrus program with the addition of a new influx of California-grown mandarins in October.
“We’re nearly tripling our domestic mandarin volume during a key timeframe when citrus is in high demand and health and wellness are still top of mind for consumers,” said Alex Marriott, Category Citrus Lead – Domestic for the Giumarra Companies. “Our overall citrus program is growing and we are well-positioned to service our retail partners with high quality, consistent supplies throughout fall and winter.”
The mandarins will be packed under Giumarra’s Bright Bites™ brand and are accompanied by the company’s full line of seasonal California citrus offerings, including oranges, Cara Caras, lemons, and grapefruit.
“Citrus is an important category to Giumarra’s core product line and we are building our program to become a one-stop shop for high-quality product, consolidation, and support services for our customers,” said Jeannine Martin, Director of Sales – Reedley and Corporate Vice President for the Giumarra Companies.
The Giumarra Companies offers citrus from domestic and international growers packed under its Nature’s Partner family of brands.
About the Giumarra Companies
The Giumarra Companies is a leading international network of fresh produce growers, distributors, and marketers that encompasses a world of flavor and freshness. Since its inception in 1922, the company has taken pride in a longstanding commitment to quality, service, and industry leadership. Products packed under Giumarra’s trusted family of brands are supported by a suite of top-tier services and enjoyed by consumers daily. Together with our partners, we’re feeding the world in a healthy way.