Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
The New Zealand apple and pear season is underway with light volume and reports show optimism for the season ahead.
The pear harvest started the last week of January, with apples getting underway the last half of February. Most packers will start running Galas at the end of Feburary with peak volumes expected the first half of March.
An official estimate has yet to be released, but the industry expects to easily match the 23million cartons of apples packed in 2022.
Vanguard International of Issauah, WA reports the spring was hotter than normal with fair amounts of rains to counter any of the potential negative effects of the heat. Recent weather has been hot and dry, but starting mid-January, there was milder weather and rain that should allow trees to catch a break from the heat, stabilize, and recuperate. Sizing is expected to be one size larger than in 2021 across all varieties.
Vanguard was founded in 1991 and is a leading global vertically-integrated fresh fruit growing, packing, marketing, and sales organization with several branches located around the world.
The 2022 pre-season forecast by the California Avocado Commission of Irvine, CA projects a 306-million-pound crop, which is nearly a 15% increase over the last fiscal year.
About 80% of the California avocado season volume is expected to occur from April through August, with the season winding down starting in September. The Commission’s fiscal year runs from November 2021 through October 2022.
Market conditions will be a key factor for when California avocado growers begin harvesting; although some growers have already begun to pick. Volume is expected to ramp up in earnest around March.
California avocado growers received welcomed rains in December and January. This moved the region from severe drought to moderate drought conditions, and rain usually has a positive impact on tree health and avocado sizing.
The majority of the harvest will be the Hass variety; Lamb Hass, GEM and other varieties also are being commercially grown.
California has about 3,000 growers in the Golden State. The California Avocado Commission serves as the official information source for California avocados and the California avocado industry.
The updated Florida citrus shipping forecast released by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reveals a decline.
All Oranges 44.5 Million Boxes
The 2021-2022 Florida all orange forecast released today by the USDA Agricultural Statistics Board is 44.5 million boxes, down 1.50 million boxes from the December forecast. If realized, this will be 16 percent less than last season’s final production.
The forecast consists of 17.5 million boxes of non-Valencia oranges (early, mid-season, and Navel varieties) and 27.0 million boxes of Valencia oranges. A 9-year regression has been used for comparison purposes. All references to “average”, “minimum”, and “maximum” refer to the previous 10 seasons, excluding the 2017-2018 season, which was affected by Hurricane Irma. Average fruit per tree includes both regular and first late bloom.
Non-Valencia Oranges 17.5 Million Boxes
The forecast of non-Valencia production is lowered 500,000 boxes to 17.5 million boxes. Final fruit size is close to the minimum, requiring 326 pieces to fill a 90-pound box. Final droppage of non-Valencia oranges (excluding Navels) at 39 percent is close to the maximum. The Navel forecast, included in the non-Valencia forecast, is unchanged at 450,000 boxes, and is 3 percent of the
non-Valencia total.
Valencia Oranges 27.0 Million Boxes
The forecast of Valencia production is lowered 1.00 million boxes from the December forecast to 27.0 million boxes. Current fruit size is close to the minimum and is projected to be close to the minimum at harvest. Current droppage is above average and projected to be above average at harvest.
All Grapefruit 4.10 Million Boxes
The forecast of all grapefruit production is unchanged from December at 4.10 million boxes. If realized, this will be equal to last season’s final production. The red grapefruit forecast is held at 3.30 million boxes. Fruit size of red grapefruit at harvest is projected to be average, and droppage is projected to be average. The white grapefruit forecast is unchanged at 800,000 boxes. Projected fruit size of white grapefruit at harvest is above average. White grapefruit droppage is projected to be below average.
Tangerines and Tangelos 800,000 Boxes
The forecast for tangerines and tangelos is reduced 100,000 boxes from December and is now 800,000 boxes, 10 percent less than last season’s utilization of 890,000 boxes. This forecast number includes all certified tangerine and tangelo varieties.
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.