Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
Michigan vegetable shipments got off to a slow start this year due to chilly weather, but have moved into good volume for late summer and fall. Harvest was two to three weeks later than normal for most growers.
Rice Lake Farms Packing LLC, Grant, MI is one operation that is late this year. The company started harvesting turnips, rutabagas and red beets in late July. It began shipping gold beets and candy beets in early August and also has watermelon and radishes.
Jumbo carrots and celery root is just getting underway for Rice Lake Farms.
Superior Sales of Hudsonville has a similar situation with a late start this year, but is now shipping green beans, zucchini, yellow squash, cucumbers, green peppers and specialty chili peppers, such as jalapenos, serranos and poblanos.
Superior Sales shipped asparagus during the spring and was shipping corn, cabbage, celery, and red and green leaf lettuce this summer.
Over 10,000 tons of Peruvian blueberries have been exported since the start of the blueberry season in March, which is in line with Proarándanos‘ projections.
Proarándanos, a Peruvian blueberry export trade association estimates more than 250,000 tons of the fruit will be shipped by the end of the season.
Over 90 percent of blueberries are forecast to be exported between August and December, and 50 percent between September and October alone.
As of the first week of May Peru had exported 219,706 tons.
China has been the main export destination, closely followed by the U.S. representing 37 percent and 34 percent of exports respectively. Europe accounted for 13 percent of exports, the UK, for 9 percent and other destinations, for 8 percent.
In addition, 92 percent of exports were shipped by sea, while 8 percent were sent by air, and organic crops accounted for 9.2 percent of total exports.
Currently, 44,480 acres are used for growing blueberries.
More than 13,000 refrigerated truckloads of North Carolina’s sweet potatoes are shipped each season.
With big volume every month of the year, North Carolina sweet potato growers easily account for the biggest share of orange vegetable supply. In 2020, North Carolina accounted for about two-thirds of total U.S. sweet potato truck shipments reported by the USDA, followed in volume by Mississippi (16%), California (11%) and Louisiana (6%).
North Carolina’s harvested sweet potato area in 2021 was 104,700 acres, producing yields of 175 cwt per acre and total production of 18.32 million.
According to USDA shipment numbers from 2021, November is the top month for North Carolina sweet potatoes, accounting for 11.3% of total crop movement that year.
The percentage of the total North Carolina sweet potato crop shipped, by month, in 2021, according to the USDA:
- January: 8.5%
- February: 9.2%
- March: 10.5%
- April: 9.1%
- May: 10.6%
- June: 8.5%
- July: 5.8%
- August: 4.7%
- September: 5.6%
- October:7.2%
- November: 11.3%
- December: 8.6%
Over 3,500 tons of fresh lemons from Argentina arrived in the Port of Philadelphia for the first time recently after an agreement was made between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and The National Service for Agrifood Health and Quality (Senasa).
Representatives from Holt Logistics Corp. marked the occasion with a brief dockside reception alongside trade representatives and other business leaders from both countries.
Holt Logistics reported the historic arrival of fresh lemons from Argentina brings yet another high-quality source product through the Port of Philadelphia.
The arrival represented years of negotiations between commercial and safety interests surrounding the import of fresh goods into the United States.
The M/V Baltic Erica departed from the Euroamérica port complex near Buenos Aires on Friday, July 9, bound for the United States, arriving July 22. The vessel discharged at Gloucester Terminals in Gloucester City, New Jersey carrying 3,273 pallets containing a total of more than 3,700 tons of lemons.
The shipment of fresh lemons to the United States is unprecedented and novel for the country, since the merchandise is sent directly in a hold ship to the port of Philadelphia.
The pallets of lemons from Argentina are the first ever to enter the United States under a new agreement between the USDA and Senasa.
Iceberg, romaine and romaine hearts have been impacted by the **INSV Virus and **Fusarium along with other viruses that have taken over the fields this past month throughout the Salinas Valley, according to a market alert by Produce Alliance, a produce brokerage firm in Chicago.
INSV Virus is a plant virus that is passed from field to field by insects. Fusarium is a soil borne fungus, which causes the lettuce heads to die from diseased roots.
These viruses are not allowing product to fully develop and in many cases, causing growers to disc entire fields. Growers are working to put only the best product available in the boxes, and bring the best quality into the plant for processing as crews have been working diligently in the fields to leave any affected product behind.
Still, lettuce haulers are urged to be extra cautious and observance of lettuce being loaded onto their truck.
For the lettuce fields designated for processing, that are currently unaffected by the disease, there is some variation in core sizing/growth, where some cores are curved in the head of lettuce making it a bit difficult for crews to see as they remove what they can in the field. This means, harvesting at an extremely slow pace to minimize the risk as much as possible.
Growers are having to place additional inspection on the lines to cull out any defects not removed in the field.
Currently, the market is in a demand exceeds supply situation due to lighter supply industry wide and a very unstable market situation is expected to continue for the remainder of the Salinas season.
Some weeks will be better than others, but as the local seasons finish for the year, this will put more pressure on California, increasing demand on already shorter crops.
Green leaf is starting to feel the effects of this situation as well as available supply is getting shorter. Red leaf and butter lettuce may be affected working through the balance of the season, but currently, quality issues are not as severe.
Portal Portuuario reports a majority of observers expected the growth of Peruvian vegetable exports to continue this year.
However, between January and May 2022, vegetable shipments totaled $365 million, showing a drop of 3 percent compared to the last year.
Asparagus and artichokes accounted for 63 percent of the exports.
Asparagus, so far this year, has added a total of 46,570 tons valued at $131 million, 2 percent less in volume and 7 percent less in value, becoming the product that drove the reduction.
Artichoke shipments reached 13,420 tons for $35 million, 35 percent more in volume and 43 percent more in value.
Until 2016, vegetable shipments had sustained a growth of 7 percent on average each year, reaching a maximum value of $839 million, a record for Peru.
The following two years, 2017 and 2018, were complicated due to “El Niño Phenomenon”, causing vegetable exports to contact by 2 percent on average each year, reaching a value of $798 million.
Despite this, Peruvian vegetables recovered and in 2019 reached $845 million, 6 percent more than the previous year.
The positive effects were repeated the next two years, despite the pandemic. Exports increased 7 percent on average during 2020 and 2021, breaking a record by adding $973 million last year.
This trend came to an end in 2022 with a 3 percent contraction.
The Oppenheimer Group’s Oceanside Pole label is increasing its roma crop this season, according to a news release.
With nearly 2.2 million cases of rounds and over 1.6 million cases of romas expected to be picked from one million poles on 800 acres near Oceanside, CA, Oppy is now shipping the Oceanside Pole label.
The case count of romas grown on poles is up 500,000 compared with last year, Oppy’s senior sales representative James Galindo said in the release. “Oceanside Pole label romas are quickly becoming recognized as the best out there — particularly for their deep red color and firmness,” Galindo said in the release.
Peak volume picked up the middle of August, and will continue until the end of October.
Oceanside is the only large-scale pole-grown operation remaining in California, the release said. The growing method raises fruit off the ground to improve airflow and quality while naturally ripening on the vine, and as they travel to stores, according to the release.
Oppy is packing in 22-pound two layers, 25-pound volume fill and 15-pound single layer boxes, RPCs and a 5-pound club pack.
California’s Central San Joaquin Valley grape shipments started last month and high quality with steady loadings are seen with volume similar to 2021. April’s initial crop estimate forecast 95 million, 19-pound boxes.
Top Brass Marketing of Bakersfield, CA expressed excitement about this season’s central valley grape season.
Grapeman Farms of Los Angeles began picking right after the 4th of July holiday, starting with a couple different varieties. It has ramped up over the following weeks, getting into peak shipments in August.
California table grape season traditionally runs May through January, with the southern Coachella district getting the early season start.
Fowler Packing of Fresno, CA, opened the table grape season in mid-July with Flames, and had all three colors going by August 1st. It hit peak production the middle of August and will carry that all the way through October into the middle of November. Fowler’s brand, Samsons, will end the season with Allisons and Autumn Kings, wrapping up just before Christmas.
Applewood Fresh® of Sparta, MI, a premier fourth-generation grower, packer/shipper of Michigan-grown apples is counting down the days to the start of their flavorful harvest, with Rave® in August.
Rave® is only available for a limited time each year. “Look for Michigan Rave® harvest and shipping around August 19th, with fruit available through October” said Scott Swindeman, President, Managing Owner of Applewood Fresh. “With the new acreage coming into production and good growing conditions, the 2022 crop looks to give us a very good increase in volume of over 50% from last season, which gives our customers opportunity for promotions” said Brian Coates, VP of Sales, and Business Development.
Applewood Fresh offers bulk packaging in Standard and Euro Tray pack Cartons, as well as some packaged options; 2 lb. pouch and tote bags which fit the current trend of increased packaged sales in the apple category. “Retailers should promote packaged fruit and merchandise in lead-off positions in their produce departments to drive sales. Customers are looking for quick grab and go solutions as they navigate the store to expedite their shopping trip,” said Brian.
Outrageously juicy with a refreshing snappy zing, Rave® apples are part Honeycrisp and part MonArk. They have that infamous Honeycrisp bite but harvest a few weeks earlier than other apple varieties. MN55 cultivar apples were bred naturally through traditional cross-pollination methods by David Bedford at the University of Minnesota’s apple breeding program. The company has grown the juicy, early season Apple for the past five years. Availability is expected to grow exponentially in 2023 and beyond.
Alsum Farms & Produce of Friesland, WI and grower partner, Trembling Prairie Farms Inc. of Markesan, WI is in full swing harvesting new crop Wisconsin Celery starting this week with the season expected to go through the first week of October. Located in the muck soils of Green Lake County, Trembling Prairie Farms is a family farm owned and operated by John and Connie Bobek along with their four children in Markesan. For the past decade the Bobek family has been growing and packing locally grown celery serving the Midwest retail and foodservice markets.
In 2012, Trembling Prairie Farms started with 3 acres of celery and today has expanded to over 45 acres. The farm starts with a celery variety that grows well in the Wisconsin climate. Peak freshness, a milder flavor and snappier crunch are all advantages of this locally grown celery variety.
The process of growing celery starts in local greenhouses in late February to early April and is then transplanted in 12 different plantings. Celery planting begins on May 1 with the goal of the last planting to be in the ground by July 1. Trembling Prairie Farms Wisconsin Grown Celery is available for distribution with ample volume of all sizes and packs available for the next 11 weeks, including:
- 24 count naked or sleeved
- 30 count naked or sleeved
- 36 count naked or sleeved
- 18 count celery hearts
“We’re happy to be able to bring our locally grown Wisconsin Celery to the market,” says John Bobek, farmer and owner of Trembling Prairie Farms. “Whether paired with peanut butter as a healthy kid-friendly snack, or chopped in a salad for an outdoor gathering, Wisconsin Celery offers a fresh taste for consumers looking for locally grown in the Midwest.”
Two medium stalks of celery offer many nutritional benefits including vitamin C, potassium and 2 grams of fiber all for only 20 calories. In the U.S., consumers eat on average six pounds of fresh celery annually. With its many nutritional benefits and versatility this crunchy, fiber-filling vegetable is delicious and good-for-you.
For more information on Trembling Prairies Farms Wisconsin Grown Celery, go to www.tremblingprairiefarms.com or www.alsum.com.
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Trembling Prairie Farms
Trembling Prairie Farms is a grower of Wisconsin red potatoes, yellow and red onions, and celery on 500 acres of rich muck soil in Green Lake County. Trembling Prairie Farms, a family owned and operated business, has grown to become a major supplier of Wisconsin-family farmer grown vegetables serving retail and foodservice markets.
About Alsum Farms & Produce
Alsum Farms & Produce Inc. is a leading fresh market grower, packer and shipper of Wisconsin grown potatoes, onions, and provider of fresh, quality produce. Established nearly five decades ago and headquartered in Friesland, Wis., Alsum Farms & Produce is a vertically integrated family-owned farm, packing facility and logistics company providing quality produce. Committed to sustainability and stewardship of the soil, Alsum Farms grows 3,000 acres of Wisconsin Healthy Grown® Certified Alsum Potatoes along with pumpkins.