Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
California fig shipments are predicted to have big volume and good quality this season.
In a press release, the California Fresh Fig Growers Association (CFFGA) explained that, thanks to an increase in planted acres, this year consumers can expect plenty of fruit to last well into the fall. But this year’s California figs not only come in large quantities, but also in high quality. Karla Stockli, CFFGA’s Chief Executive Officer, said this year’s crop benefited from the mild weather and the absence of extreme heat, resulting in fruit with good size and flavor.
About 10 million pounds of figs are expected to be shipped this season.
This season also comes with some novelties. The CFFGA invited Americans to look out for Emerald, a new fig variety hitting the shelves. The CCO said the green, creamy fruit has a crème brulee-like flavor and should be paired with foods that have “a more fruity or sweeter flavor profile.” Emerald is joining California’s proud list of fig varieties, which includes Mission, Brown Turkey, Sierra, and Tiger.
As for supply, “Mission and Brown Turkey will continue to provide the bulk of the fresh production; Sierra and Tiger should be steady, and Emerald volume will be much higher than last year,” Stockli said.
California fig supplies are said to last through November.
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Veg Fresh Farms of Corona, CA started a modest fall program focused on traditional carving pumpkins about 5 years ago. Today, that program has rapidly expanded into a robust and diversified offering, distinguishing itself with unique heirloom varieties and custom-tailored mix-and-match bins designed to meet evolving consumer demand.
Veg Fresh Farms’ innovative approach includes offering creative, specialized mixes—like the popular Autumn Mix Bin—featuring sought-after heirloom pumpkins such as the Blue Doll and Marina di Chioggia, along with other unique varieties.
“Pumpkins and gourds have become more about fall decorating and not just for Halloween,” says Chris Jacoby, Sales Director at Veg Fresh Farms “more retailers are selling pumpkins earlier, even around late August or early September, to meet this demand.”
“The growth of the pumpkin program extends beyond traditional grocery stores, with non-traditional retailers like Lowe’s and Home Depot, as well as foodservice customers. This expansion is fueled by consumers’ willingness to spend a little more on uniquely shaped, colorful, and decorative pumpkins and gourds. The versatility of items like pie pumpkins continues to grow with their expanding use in cooking and other creations” also adds Chris Jacoby.
To support this demand, Veg Fresh Farms has expanded its growing program in both Southern and Northern California.
“Continuing to diversify our offerings is critical to our relationships with our customers,” explains Dino Cancellieri, General Partner. “Our customers rely on vendors like Veg Fresh Farms to provide unique and differentiated items that excite consumers and drive traffic to their stores. Chris Jacoby has been instrumental in spearheading this program, working closely with seed companies and growers to curate the perfect mix for each fall season.”
“We only see upwards potential as this program continues to grow,” adds Dino Cancellieri.
About Veg-Fresh Farms
Veg-Fresh Farms is a third-generation, family-run agribusiness, currently providing fresh produce to national food service chains and national retailers under the Veg-Fresh Farms, Crystal Cove Berry Farms, and Good Life Organic labels.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Green bell pepper supplies are abundant; markets have eased. Red bell pepper prices are slightly lower as California yields start to increase; demand remains strong, according to a press release from Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA.
Green Bells
- Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green Bell Peppers are ample
- California volume is high; quality is very good as multiple coastal regions are in production, including Hollister, Oxnard, and Santa Maria
- Harvesting is steady in the Midwest regions of Michigan and Ohio
- Northeastern production is consistent; all sizes are available
- Central Mexico is shipping limited quantities into South Texas
- Expect low prices this week
Red Bells
- MFC and ESS Red Bell Peppers are available
- California’s coastal production is moderate and expected to increase over the next two weeks due to hot weather; quality is very good
- Supplies are limited out of Central Mexico (crossing into South Texas), but the season will ramp up in mid-September
- Greenhouse yields are snug in Eastern Canada due to past hot weather and disease issues; Western Canada greenhouse stocks are sufficient but not being regularly exported to the U.S.
- Demand for California peppers remains strong
- Expect slightly lower prices next week with a larger drop in mid-September
Freshway Produce Inc. of Miami, FL ships dragon fruit the year and is now increasing it’s production grown in the Sunshine State. Optimism is high this year thanks to favorable weather.
Less rainfall, which can csause fungi problems and other potential issues have not been excessive this year.
Production volumes have also seen a significant boost, particularly from one of the company’s Southern Florida farms. There, Freshway Produce dedicates approximately 44 acres to the cultivation of red and white dragon fruit.
The company has been working with Florida-grown dragon fruit since 2018, and to ensure year-round availability, it also sources from four different countries, including Ecuador and Nicaragua. The firm’s red and white locally-produced varieties are typically available from June through November.
The company reports a consistent growth trajectory in production capacity.
Native to tropical South and Central America, dragon fruit cultivation was first introduced in Florida in the early 2000s. While the Sunshine State’s warm climate provides an ideal growing environment, Florida dragon fruit is traditionally smaller than those imported from countries such as Ecuador.
Freshway notes smaller sizes offer a more practical, on-the-go alternative for snacking, although the market usually demands larger sizes.
Mexico and the Dominican Republic’s mango supply in the U.S. is set to increase this year if shipments continue as expected.
From April to November, both countries are the U.S.’s main suppliers of the tropical fruit. Last year, by September, the countries sent a total of 89,744,893 mangoes into the United States. This year, the countries have already sent 65,386,990, more than half of the total shipped in 2024, with several months of supply remaining.
A total of 4,578,808 boxes of mangoes from both countries arrived in the U.S. at the beginning of July, an increase of a little over 357,000 from the same period last year.
Most of that number is made up of three main mango varieties: Kent (59%), Tommy Atkins (21%) and Ataulfo/Honey (18%). There is also a limited supply of Mingolo, Keitt, Mallika, Nam Doc Mai, Thai, Manila, Banilejo and Kesar.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
On the heels of successful asparagus and sweet corn seasons, Todd Greiner Farms Packing, LLC, based in Hart, MI, starts its fall shipping season, with a full lineup of pumpkins and winter squash starting the week of Labor Day (September 1).
Known for premium asparagus and summer sweet corn, TGF is quickly becoming a go-to source for seasonal Michigan-grown vegetables. This fall, the company will be shipping traditional orange pumpkins, white pumpkins, and heirloom varieties, as well as winter squash including acorn, spaghetti, and butternut.
“We’re proud to bring the same quality and service our customers expect from our spring and summer programs into the fall,” said Blake Hansen, National Sales Manager. “Retailers can count on us to deliver picture-perfect pumpkins and flavorful winter squash that are ready to move in produce and seasonal displays.”
Michigan is consistently ranked among the top five pumpkin-producing states in the United States, harvesting nearly 90 million pounds annually. TGF sources only the best seed varieties, ensuring that each harvest yields some of the largest, most vibrant Jack-O’-Lantern pumpkins in the Midwest. Whether for carving, decorating, or culinary use, TGF ships pumpkins nationwide to meet the seasonal surge in demand.
In 2024 alone, Americans spent over $750 million on carving pumpkins for Halloween, with approximately 145 million shoppers purchasing pumpkins at an average of $5.26 each. This fall item isn’t just festive—it’s profitable, driving consumer foot traffic and impulse buys in retail settings.
“Our pumpkins consistently stand out for their size, shape, and color,” Steve Rudat, Account and Supply Chain Manager. “Whether you’re looking for truckloads of uniform bins or decorative assortments with heirlooms and whites, our goal is to help you build successful, eye-catching seasonal programs.”
TGF’s fall offering also includes robust volumes of Michigan-grown winter squash, with promotable volumes of acorn, butternut, and spaghetti squash ready to ship alongside pumpkins starting in early September. With Michigan ranked #1 nationally in winter squash production, TGF brings a critical combination of quality, consistency, and Midwest sourcing that today’s retail buyers are seeking.
Todd Greiner Farms is rooted in Michigan’s specialty crop leadership. As the second-most agriculturally diverse state in the United States, Michigan ranks #1 in asparagus, cucumbers for pickling, winter squash, tart cherries, and multiple dry bean varieties, and is a top producer of apples, blueberries, and summer squash.
With its year-round growing partnerships, packing infrastructure, and now expanded sales and marketing programs, TGF is positioned to represent and ship Michigan’s best produce throughout all four seasons.
About Todd Greiner Farms Packing, LLC.: Todd Greiner Farms Packing, LLC., located in Hart, MI, is a family-owned and operated fruit, vegetable, and evergreen grower/packer/shipper. Since its founding in 1994, TGF has maintained a reputation for quality and integrity, operating two packing/shipping facilities and holding a Primus Labs – Superior food safety rating. TGF’s diverse product offerings include asparagus, cherries, zucchini, sweet corn, peaches, hard squash, pumpkins, apples, and evergreens.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
As part of its 2025 Outlook Conference, the U.S. Apple Association announced its first official crop estimate for the 2025-26 season.
Using both USDA data as well as insights from state representatives, the association projects about 278.5 million bushels, which is up about 1.3% from the 2024-25 season estimate. These figures are slightly down from the USDA estimate of about 290.1 million bushels. This figure, though, is about 3.6% above the five-year average.
One thing Chris Gerlach, vice president of insights and analytics with the U.S. Apple Association, points out that this crop estimate will not necessarily reflect the true size of the 2025-26 harvest.
“That’s a capacity number that is not necessarily what’s going to be picked and packed,” he says.
State estimates
Leading the country in production is Washington, with a forecast record crop of about 180 million bushels, which is up 1.1% year-over-year.
Gerlach says he also coordinated to get additional context behind these figures and the state representatives he spoke with indicated a mild summer and ideal weather has set the crop up well. He says the insiders he talked to say gala and red delicious will be smaller than average but good color and quality while Honeycrisp, Cosmic Crisp and fuji will have a good medium to large profile.
“Discipline will be required to leave smaller fruit on the tree — money will be tight to pick everything,” he says.
New York, taking the No. 2 spot, will come in with about 30.5 million bushels, which is about a 0.7% decrease from last season.
Insiders tell Gerlach that a cold and wet spring and a hot and dry summer have impacted the crop this year. Gerlach reports insiders told him growers in the state struggled with chemical thinners this year, which may have impacted size. The state expects to have good volume with a light Honeycrisp season this year, light processing varieties such as Idared and Rome but a decent red delicious crop this year.
In the third spot, Michigan projects to be up about 10% with about 30 million bushels. A cold spring and thinning issues impacted the crop, but Gerlach says insiders told him the crop is shaping up well. Insiders indicate Honeycrisp and gala volume will be up this year in the state, but fuji will be down.
Fourth in production in the country, Pennsylvania production, forecast at 10.5 million bushels, will be up about 2% year-over-year.
Gerlach says state representatives indicate fruit is clean and sizing well. As far as varieties, Honeycrisp and fuji volumes will be down this year and gala volumes will be up. Insiders indicate variable volumes on red delicious and processing varieties.
“Effective thinning after the April freeze in Pennsylvania and a wet May can lead to a larger crop,” he says.
Virginia, in the fourth spot, forecasts to be down by 50% to 2.75 million bushels.
“A considerable frost freeze event in April was preceded by three days of warm weather, which maximizes that impact,” Gerlach says. “The natural thinning event will reduce volume but may help sizing.”
In terms of volume, insiders from Virginia tell Gerlach that gala, golden delicious and granny smith look to be in good supply, but York, red delicious and pink lady will be down this year.
In the fifth spot, Oregon projection is forecast to be up 40% year-over-year with an estimated crop size of 3.9 million bushels.
Variety estimates
Remaining in the top spot is gala, with a projected 47 million bushels or about 16% of U.S. production. Red delicious remains in the second spot with about 39 million bushels, or about 13% of total U.S. production. Honeycrisp is up a spot, coming in third with 34 million bushels or 12% of the U.S. total production. Rounding out the top five are granny smith at 32 million bushels, 11% of U.S. total production, and fuji at 25 million bushels or 9% of the U.S. total production.
Gerlach says this year’s forecast shows pink lady and Cosmic Crisp both trending upward.
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Almond shipments will reach 3 billion pounds, a 10% increase from 2024’s crop, according to the 2025 USDA-NASS California Almond Objective Measurement Report estimate.
This objective estimate is 7% higher than the USDA-NASS’s May subjective forecast and surpasses the 2024 harvest of 2.73 billion pounds. The 2024 crop was 2.5% below the previous year’s objective estimate, reflecting the difficulty of precise forecasting amid fluctuating weather and economic conditions.
“The Objective Measurement reflects the hard work by California almond growers during uncertain times,” said Almond Board of California CEO Clarice Turner. “While shipping has remained consistently strong, we know uncertainty remains surrounding future trade policies. We continue to engage with trade partners and stakeholders to encourage constructive solutions that support fair and stable trade so California almonds can continue to be enjoyed by consumers around the world.”
Weather during the bloom period was variable, with storms bringing rain, wind, and hail that hindered bee activity and blossom development. Conditions improved in early March with warm temperatures accelerating crop progress.
Mild spring temperatures and timely rainfall supported nut growth and reduced heat stress in orchards, with reports indicating lower-than-normal pest and disease pressure. Harvest is expected to start on schedule.
The USDA-NASS forecasted yield per acre for 2025 is 2,160 pounds, up from 1,980 pounds in 2024. The average nut set per tree is projected at 4,364 nuts, an increase of 7% from last year, with Nonpareil trees averaging 4,526 nuts. This is up 9% year-on-year.
Kernel weight averaged 1.60 grams across sampled varieties, representing a 0.6% decrease from 2024. The Nonpareil variety specifically averaged 1.60 grams, down 2% from the previous year.
The 2025 report is based on actual almond counts using a statistically rigorous methodology. Sampling was conducted from May 24 to June 28, covering 1,892 trees in 946 orchards. USDA-NASS produces the Objective Report, Subjective Forecast, and Nursery Survey annually to support industry decision-making.
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Washington and Oregon grower/shippers cite favorable growing conditions this season should result in good-quality onion shipments out of Washington and Oregon.
Washington is the nation’s top onion producer and grew about 21 million cwt of onions in 2024, up from about 20 million cwt in 2023, according to USDA. Oregon produced 14,189,000 cwt of onions, up from 13,747,000 in 2023.
Eagle Eye Produce of Iona, ID reports onion acreage is up slightly this year due to the acquisition of the Baker and Murakamai warehouse in Ontario, OR. As a result the company has more supply than ever.
The company started harvesting its eastern Oregon crop in late July, which is slightly earlier than usual, and will continue through September.
Eagle Eye Produce ships out of storage through April from facilities in Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
Following that, it will transition to fresh-field onions from California, New Mexico and Texas.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
California Giant Berry Farms reports higher volumes of blueberry production, both conventional and organic, in the Pacific Northwest.
The organization expects Oregon’s strong volumes to last through the end of September,while British Columbia’s peak production hit the first week of August and will span most of the month.
Washington is set to produce steady volumes through early September. According to the Washington Blueberry Commission, the state’s 2025 harvest is shaping up to be a record-breaker, Agronometrics reports.
Last year, Washington produced its largest haul ever, and early reports suggest that in 2025, the state could meet or exceed last year’s 210 million pounds.
Quality in Oregon is also projected to be favorable, thanks to excellent spring weather and snowpack.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.