Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
There are fewer grape supplies and shipments of Mexican grapes. Combine this with strong demand and there are higher retail grape prices and less volume. This situation is expected to continue through most of July.
According to a press release from Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA, updated estimates show Mexican growers lost 30 percent of the red grape crop and 24 percent of green grape harvests due to storm damage.
The most damage is being seen in red grapes as this crop was at peak maturity with high sugar levels at the time of the storm.
Quality is expected to be good, but mold and split grapes are problems. Quality control crews will double their efforts to ensure the best quality available upon shipping.
The California season is expected to begin in mid-July. Expect low volume and elevated markets for the next four weeks.
Mexico’s avocado industry is poised for another strong year in 2025, with production forecast to reach 2.75 million metric tons (MMT)—a 3% increase over 2024, according to the USDA.
The growth is driven by stable growing conditions, improved agricultural practices, and strong international demand, particularly from the United States. Exports are projected to hit 1.34 MMT, up 5% year-on-year, with the United States expected to absorb 80% of Mexico’s avocado exports by volume. Canada followed with 7%, and Japan accounted for 3%.
Mexico continues to dominate the global avocado trade, supplying nearly 88% of total U.S. imports in 2024. Domestically, avocado consumption continues to rise, growing nearly 10% to 27 pounds per capita in 2024. However, avocados are still considered a luxury item in Mexico due to their relatively high cost compared to other fruits. Despite its success, the industry is under increasing pressure to address its environmental footprint.
In response, the Avocado Institute of Mexico launched its Path to Sustainability plan in April, aimed at aligning all major stakeholders—from the country’s 35,000+ growers to packers and exporters—under a unified strategy. The plan targets four core areas: water, biodiversity, climate, and deforestation, and lays out a roadmap with specific goals and benchmarks to achieve water, carbon, and deforestation neutrality by 2035. The sustainability initiative also includes commitments to cover orchard floors, improve soil health, and restore ecosystems. According to environmental consultant Ernesto Enkerlin, the water footprint of avocado farming has historically been overestimated due to the failure to account for the ecological benefits of the orchards themselves. With updated methodologies, the industry now sees water neutrality as a realistic goal—and a potential benchmark for other crops.
Meanwhile, avocado imports into Mexico remain low and are projected to decline by 10% in 2025 to just 3,800 MT, reflecting the country’s ability to meet demand through local production. Imports mainly occur during seasonal gaps and come from countries like Peru and Colombia. With exports surging, domestic demand growing, and a bold sustainability framework underway, Mexico’s avocado industry is positioning itself not just as a global leader in volume—but as a model for long-term, environmentally conscious growth.
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Global importer-exporter Salix Fruits kicked off its 2025 summer citrus program last month. This marked the beginning of the Southern Hemisphere’s citrus season, according to the company, and the launch featured products such as lemons, mandarins, oranges and grapefruits.
U.S. citrus production has been significantly high across most varieties, particularly lemons, reducing immediate interest in imports from the Southern Hemisphere, according to Salix Fruits. On the supply side, Argentina and Chile have recovered their lemon production, while Chile reports strong mandarin volumes but lower orange yields. Peru is set to increase its mandarin output, while South Africa anticipates an average production year.
Meanwhle, Salix Fruits highlighted several factors shaping this year’s citrus trade landscape. For example, Europe is experiencing lower volumes due to spring frosts in Turkey, impacting the export of lemons, mandarins, oranges and fine fruit, which may also affect the start of the 2025-26 season. Additionally, Spain’s decreased production of verna lemons, the early conclusion of Moroccan mandarin shipments and strong demand for Egyptian oranges indicate that Europe and Russia will be promising markets for exports from South Africa, Argentina, Peru and Chile.
Salix Fruits notes these production fluctuations create supply and demand opportunities, and this is where the company’s global sourcing and sales network becomes a critical advantage for its
clients. The company has offices in the U.S., Egypt, South Africa, Argentina, Chile, Spain, India and across Asia.
The U.S. remains a priority market Salix Fruits because of the consistent citrus demand.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
The U.S. Apple Association in its latest fresh apple storage report, points out apples remaining in storages totaled 52.3 million 42-pound bushels, which is down 2% from last year, but still 19% higher than the five-year average.
Processing apple holdings totaled 20.1 million, which is 12% less than inventories from last May and 9% less than the five-year average for the association’s May report.
Washington state leads apple holdings of fresh and processed with 61,475,238 42-pound bushels in holdings, which is down from the 2023-24 season of 62,272,38. It’s still higher than the five-year average of 51,782,151. New York follows with 5,471,240 42-pound bushels in holdings, which is less than the 2023-24 season of 5,786,262 but higher than the five-year average of 4,348,970. Michigan has 2,223,000 42-pound bushels in holding, which is less than the 2023-24 season of 3,669,000 and less than the five-year average for holdings of 2,344,200.
Of the notable varieties in holdings, gala takes the top spot with 10,363,435 42-pound bushels, followed by red delicious with 10,434,547, then granny smith with 8,562,985, Cosmic Crisp with 8,230,476, Pink Lady/cripps pink with 7,340,180, fuji with 6,270,395 and Honeycrisp with 5,652,231.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Bountiful shipments of California strawberries are occurring at California Giant Berry Farms as the company shares news of giant volumes of its cornerstone product.
The berry purveyor’s high yields and volumes of excellent quality fruit ensures peak promotable volumes of California strawberries throughout the coming months and ample availability for National Strawberry Month and Memorial Day.
Over the next few weeks, California Giant, based in Watsonville, CA, anticipates peak supplies of exceptional conventional and organic strawberries from its Santa Maria growing region. These berries exhibit ideal size, quality, and flavor. While these peak volumes are expected to gradually taper down, the supply from Santa Maria remained robust through the end of May.
In the Watsonville and Salinas region, recent growing conditions are proving beneficial for the California Giant strawberry crop.
The company anticipates a significant increase in ripening, leading to strong and consistent volumes of premium strawberries from this region from now through the end of July. California Giant customers can look forward to a steady supply of fresh, high-quality strawberries from Watsonville and Salinas throughout the late spring and early summer.
The California strawberry industry is gearing up for a remarkable peak of season spanning from May through June—promising an abundant supply of promotable fruit. This surge in production presents a fantastic opportunity for retailers, foodservice operators, and strawberry lovers alike, with substantial volumes of strawberries for distribution and enjoyment.
“California Giant is committed to supporting our retail and foodservice partners in maximizing the potential of this abundant strawberry season and National Strawberry Month,” shared Tim Youmans, Vice President of Sales at California Giant Berry Farms.
“This is prime strawberry time to run creative, engaging promotions, and our team is ready to provide tailored support to help our customers achieve outstanding results.”
ABOUT CALIFORNIA GIANT BERRY FARMS
At California Giant Berry Farms, the difference is Giant. As the most resilient berry company in the world, California Giant strives to deliver premium berries while nourishing its communities. California Giant’s year-round supply of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries set the standard for quality and consistency and provides retailers, foodservice, and consumers with the best berry experience. Over four decades, California Giant has evolved into a global family united by a passion for delivering excellence. Quality, consistency and community inspire the mission and values that sustain the California Giant enterprise.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800404-5863.
California walnut growers are experiencing promising early-season conditions that suggest a positive outlook for the 2025 crop, the California Walnut Board (CWB) and California Walnut Commission (CWC) reported. These favorable climate conditions follow three consecutive years of average to above-average rainfall and snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
The current growing season benefits from adequate surface water and replenished soil profiles, contributing to a strong bloom and early shoot development.
Early walnut varieties began to show bud break in mid-April, with varieties such as Chandler exhibiting healthy shoot growth across California’s main growing regions. The orchards are currently in a critical growth phase, which is essential for nut development throughout the season.
Industry representatives emphasized the significance of the current climate conditions. Davin Norene, a walnut growing specialist and owner of Big Time Farming, noted, “We are predicting a positive outcome for this year’s crop.”
Robert Verloop, executive director and CEO of the California Walnut Board & Commission, mentioned that growers are well-positioned to take advantage of ideal soil moisture and temperatures, which may lead to strong yields and quality for the 2025 crop. This favorable start is viewed as a positive shift after facing challenges in previous seasons, highlighting the resilience of California’s walnut industry.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Shipments of domestic raspberries and blackberries has ramped up, and with shipments underway from Mexico. Growers anticipate an overall good season this year despite a slower start than last year.
The USDA reports as of April 19, black berry loadings was at about 6.3 million pounds from California, Georgia and North Carolina, down from about 9.5 million pounds at the same time in 2024. Total 2024 fresh market volume was 62.3 million pounds.
Fresh market shipments of raspberries as of April 19 was 720,000 pounds from California, down from 1.9 million pounds in 2024. Total fresh market volume for 2024 was 63.5 million pounds of conventional and 27.7 million pounds of organic.
North Bay Produce of Traverse City, MI sources blackberries from Mexico year-round, while Georgia started in May, followed by North Carolina in June. Raspberries are shipped from Mexico from October to June and from California from June to October.
California Giant Berry Farms of Watsonville, CA has peak shipments of raspberries from August to November. Peak loadings for blackberries is June through October. Both are sourced primarily from Watsonville and Mexico.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
The Mexican Table Grapes Association reports heavy rains hit the Corborca producing area and affected primarily the red grape variety of Flames.
Nearly 2 inches of rain severely impacted the grape-producing area right before peak harvest and will affect early shipments of variety the most. An early damage estimate sees 50 to 60 percent of the crop in that production area lost.
The association reported the Hermosillo area, which also has significant production, did not suffer major damage. Last year, production reached 6 million boxes of Flame grapes across the three regions: Hermosillo, Guaymas, and Caborca. Guaymas is the smallest, Hermosillo had nearly 300,000 boxes, and Caborca produced 2.6 million boxes. This year, they had only harvested about 155,000 boxes as its season was just beginning.
Despite the weather event, about 12 to 15 million boxes of fruit is expected to be shipped in the coming weeks. The initial forecast was for a total of 24 million boxes.
As the offshore melon season ends, the Westside Produce and Classic Fruit Alliance have announced the kickoff of the domestic melon season in Arizona and California. “The team is gearing up for another great year with first picks out of Arizona expected next week,” both companies said in a release.
Patricio indicated the domestic season started in Yuma, AZ, on May 19th, with stable volumes starting June 1st.
“We are entering year 4 of our alliance together, providing year-round supplies of melons to our valued customers,” said Garrett Patricio, president of Westside Produce. “We have developed synergies as partners and satisfied our goal of being the one-stop shop for melons year-round. We will continue working together to make this goal a reality.”
Then, they will transition to Firebaugh by July 1st, “where we plan to have sufficient acreage and volume to cover contract customers and provide some market opportunities for regular customers. In addition, we have new trial varieties planted in every block in Yuma. We are also being planned out of California to seek the highest quality and flavor available.”
The allied companies said they have also begun preparations for the 2025/26 winter import season, fulfilling their mission of providing melons 52 weeks a year.
The main melon-producing states in the U.S. are California, Texas, Florida, and Arizona.
Pacific Trellis Fruit, home to the Dulcinea brand, introduced a new line of premium melons: Dulcinea Pure Perfection melons.
This collection of high-flavor, high-quality melons is designed to elevate the consumer eating experience with exceptional sweetness, texture and juiciness, according to a news release.
“We are enthusiastic to introduce the Pure Perfection line to our customers,” said Rob Markel, vice president of sales, melon division for Pacific Trellis Fruit. “These melons represent the pinnacle of flavor and quality, meeting the consumer demand for superior-tasting fruit that delivers an unforgettable eating experience.”
The Pure Perfection lineup will launch with three distinct varieties, available June through September:
- Pure Sweetness — An extra sweet cantaloupe-like variety celebrated for its incredibly juicy, soft, melt-in-your-mouth flavor.
- Pure Sunshine — A firm yet juicy honeydew-like melon offering a refreshing, smooth and sweet taste.
- Pure Crunch — An oblong Chinese Hami melon featuring a crisp, refreshing texture with hints of honey and pear.
- Beyond the launch of Pure Perfection melons, Pacific Trellis Fruit continues to offer a diverse and robust melon program. The company remains the innovator of the mini-seedless watermelon, PureHeart, and grows the full-size, seedless Sugar Daddy watermelon, both available in organic options. Other premium offerings include the Tuscan-style extra sweet cantaloupe and the SunnyGold yellow mini-seedless watermelon.
- The company ships its mini-seedless and full-size watermelons year round from growing regions in Mexico, Arizona, California and Idaho, with an offshore program in Guatemala. Seasonal melon programs include the Tuscan-style, extra sweet cantaloupe and the SunnyGold yellow, seedless mini watermelon. The Tuscans will begin shipping from Arizona in May and California in July, whereas the SunnyGold will start in May from Mexico, moving to Arizona in June and California in July. The Dulcinea program will have a steady melon supply throughout the summer months, ripe for promotional opportunities.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Optimism abounds in the Northwest as the cherry shipping season has arrived. Favorable weather has growers and shippers ready for a good start, followed by heavy shipments.
Orchard View Cherries of Dalles, OR is looking to a promising season and is expected to kick things off on June 12.
With more than a century of expertise growing cherries on the banks of Oregon’s Columbia River, Orchard View is forecasting excellent quality, consistent large sizing and mature sugars, and a 30% increase in volume over last year.
“This season is progressing beautifully,” shared Brenda Thomas, president of Orchard View. “Our trees came through a mild winter looking strong, and after an exceptional pollination period, they’re now bursting with more cherries than we saw in 2024. We’re thrilled to be entering this season with moderate conditions that are ideal for producing high-quality fruit.”
With promotable volumes beginning the last week of June, ample supply will be ready for July 4 celebrations and continue through the season. The team expects a smooth transition from California to Northwest fruit, ensuring uninterrupted availability for retailers and consumers during the peak summer season.
The company focuses exclusively on cherries, with over 90% of fruit shipped raised on the 3,500 acres it grows on. Each variety — Chelan, Bing, Kordia, Rainier, Lapins, Regina, Skeena and Sweetheart — is carefully matched to its optimal microclimate and elevation for peak performance.
Early Northwest cherry estimates project a larger cherry crop this season, about 24.5 million boxes, which is about 28% higher than last year. This is up from last year’s 19 million boxes.
Some young cherry plantings in the Pacific Northwest have started to produce, which adds to overall supply.
Chelan Fresh Marketing of Chelan, WA expects to have about 10 percent more cherries this season.
CMI Orchards of Wenachee, WA expresses similar optimism.
A few cherries started in the Pacific Northwest around June 1 and it will be late June for British Columbia cherries.
Peak shipments will be the week of June 23 and the week of July 14. There will be ample loadings occurring from mid-June through at least mid-August.
Loadings ahead of the Fourth of July holiday is another time for good volume.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.