Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
Arctic® apple shipments will have the largest volume shipments to date, according to Okanagan Specialty Fruits (OSF), developer and grower behind the fruit.
The apples were harvested in Washington state, where 1,350 acres of Arctic apple orchards are planted. The Arctic® Golden harvest yielded approximately 8,400 bins or almost 8 million pounds. The Arctic® Granny harvest recently concluded and yielded approximately 5,500 bins or 5 million pounds. This is twice the size of the 2019 harvest and is attributed to an increase in harvestable acreage from last year and the trees, which as they mature, produce more fruit.
Arctic apples use the apple’s own genes to “turn off” the enzyme responsible for making apples turn brown when cut or bruised. The result is an amazing quality, longer shelf life apple that tastes and looks better, which means less food waste from harvest to consumption. Arctic apples retain their fresh appearance and delicious flavor throughout the shelf life, which surpasses all other freshcut apples in the market.
Arctic apples are developed and grown specifically for fresh cut applications. Arctic apples are unmatched in flavor, convenience, and sustainability. For more information, please visit arcticapples.com.
There are more U.S. table grapes remaining in storage to be shipped than last year, following an increase in volumes of Autumn King and Allison over the last few weeks.
There were 13.7 million boxes in storage as of October 31, according to the USDA’s latest Western Fruit Report Grape Cold Storage Summary. That figure represents a sharp increase from the 11.1 million boxes registered in mid October and a slight rise above the 13.2 million from this time last year.
The increase in the second half of October this year was in part due to the Autumn King variety, whose volumes rose from 2.3 million boxes to 4.7 million.
At the end of October 2019 there were 3.6 million boxes of Autumn King. In addition, volumes of the Allison variety have increased substantially, growing over the second half of October from 582,000 boxes to 2.2 million.
The new figure remains below the 2.5 million recorded at this time last year. As of the end of October in the bumper 2018 season, there were a total of 18.1 million boxes in storage.
U.S. orange shipments are forecast to be down 11 percent for the 2020-21 shipping season, although the biggest plunge is from Florida, which has oranges mostly for processing.
The U.S. orange forecast for the 2020-2021 season is 4.65 million tons, down 11% from the 2019-20 season, the USDA reports.
The Florida orange forecast, at 57 million 90-pound boxes (2.57 million tons), is off 15 percent from last season.
On average, about 96 percent of Florida oranges are processed into orange juice, according to Florida Department of Citrus statistics.
Florida’s early, mid-season, and navel varieties are forecast at 23 million boxes (1.04 million tons), down 22 percent from last season’s final shipments. The Florida valencia orange forecast, at 34 million boxes (1.53 million tons), is down 10 percent from a year ago.
Florida’s 2020-21 grapefruit volume also is down at 4.5 million (85-pound) boxes. The 2020-21 estimate is down 7.3 percent compared with last season. About 40 percent of Florida’s grapefruit crop is shipped to the fresh market.
Florida’s production of tangerines and mandarins rose 7.8 percent, from 1.02 million 95-pound boxes in 2019-20 to a forecast 1.1 million boxes in 2020-21. Just more than half of Florida’s tangerines and mandarins are shipped fresh.
California
In California, where three out of four oranges are sold fresh, orange shipments are predicted to hit 50.5 million 80-pound boxes (2.02 million tons), down 5 percent from last season’s final utilization. The California navel orange forecast is 42 million boxes (1.68 million tons), down 5 percent from last season’s final utilization. The California valencia orange forecast is 8.5 million boxes (340,000 tons), down 6 percent from last season.
Mandarin/tangerine loadings are forecast to be at 23 million 80-pound boxes (920,000 tons), up 4.5 percent from last season’s output of 22 million boxes. About 75 percent of California’s mandarins/tangerines are sold fresh.
Grapefruit production in California is projected unchanged from a year ago, at 3.8 million 80-pound boxes. About 40 percent of California grapefruit is sold fresh.
Lemon loadings in California in the 2020-21 season is forecast at 22 million 80-pound boxes (880,000 tons), down 14 percent from last season. The Arizona lemon forecast is 1.3 million (80-pound) boxes (52,000 tons), down 28 percent from last season. About 70% of U.S. lemons are sold fresh.
Texas
The Texas all orange forecast, at 1.50 million 85-pound boxes (64,000 tons), is up 12 percent from last season. Forty percent of Texas oranges are sold fresh.
Texas grapefruit output is pegged at 4.9 million 80-pound boxes, up 11 percent compared with 4.4 million boxes in 2019-20. About 40 percent of Texas grapefruit is sold fresh.
Exports for Peruvian citrus have soared by 40 percent this season through early season over a year ago to 198,996 metric tons (MT). The increase is primarily due to mandarins
It highlights the growth of the mandarin led by the W. Murcott variety, in citrus exports from the Andean country.
The main citrus varieties exported by Peru from the beginning of 2020 to mid-August are: W. Murcott with 61,920MT (+ 57 percent), Satsuma 35,672MT (+ 32 percent), Tango 29,042MT (+ 76 percent), Minneola and / or Orlando 15,890 tons (-2 percent), Valencia 10,656 tons (+ 65 percent).
North American was the country’s leading market, to which 54 percent of exports were shipped. This year the market has received 61 percent more Peruvian citrus than last year.
It is followed by Europe with shipments of 70,251 tons (+ 24 percent) and concentrating 35 percent of the total; Asia with shipments of 13,334 tons (+ 12 percent) and acquiring 7 percent of the total; Latin America with 7,654 tons (+ 19 percent) and a 4 percent share; and Africa with 710 tons (+ 10 percent) and representing 1 percent of the total.
The main citrus exporter in Peru is the Consorcio de Productores de Frutas (CPF), which shipped 49,016 tons (+ 36 percent) from the beginning of the year until the mid August.
From now until spring hauling fresh produce can be especially frustrating. Not only is volume generally lower than spring and summer, but fighting the winter weather can be challenge.
We’re now in a transition from fall to winter shipments as many growing areas in the Western U.S. are moving to more southern locations. Here’s a look at some of the most active produce shipping areas and what to expect in the weeks ahead.
California
The Salinas Valley is shipping over 600 loads of celery weekly, but many vegetables are in a seasonal shift and now getting underway from Mexico. Salinas/Watsonville strawberries are nearly finished, while Ventura County berries are increasing in volume. The San Joaquin Valley is still loading table grapes, while the Bakersfield area has carrots.
Grapes and carrots – grossing about $8400 to New York City.
Washington
Apples are moving mainly from the Yakima and Wenatchee valleys averaging around 2500 truck load equivalents a week, with much smaller volume in pears.
Apples and pears – grossing about $6300 to Atlanta.
Washington’s Columbia Basin and the adjacent Umatilla Basin in Oregon combined are shipping nearly 900 truckloads of onions and about 375 truck loads of potatoes weekly.
Idaho, Colorado and Wisconsin
Idaho potato loadings are pretty steady from week to week averaging about 1900 truck load equivalents from the Twin Falls area and upper valley. A significant amount moves by rail.
Idaho potatoes – grossing about $3400 to Chicago.
San Luis Valley potatoes are shipped entirely by truck averaging around 600 loads each week…..Central Wisconsin from the Stevens Point area is loading about 500 truckloads weekly.
Arizona
Nogales has a few items coming from Mexico in fair volume such as watermelons and cucumbers. But volume is building, along with countless other vegetables, but crossings will not hit stride until around the New Year.
Meanwhile, Western and Central Arizona is just getting underway with Iceberg, romaine and leaf lettuces, along with other items such as cauliflower and broccoli. But we’re a few weeks away from good volume.
Texas
Mexican crossings in the Lower Rio Grande Valley are increasing, but still a few weeks away from good volume. Avocados crossings are approaching 1500 truck loads a week. Items such as watermelons and tomato volume is still light, but increasing, along with dozens of other vegetables and tropicals.
California is a huge nut-growing area –and Almonds are the earliest ones to shipped.
“This year’s crop is estimated to be 3 Billion pounds..”, according to Jake Samuel, CEO of Sunrise Fresh Dried Fruit, “This increase is attributed to a good bloom, favorable weather in February and a large number of younger orchards coming into full production –around 100,000 additional acres!”
Sunrise Fresh Dried Fruit, besides being a provider of premium dried fruits is also a grower of both California Almonds and Walnuts. In addition, Sunrise Fresh has developed snacks that use both dried cherries, almonds, walnuts and even pecans.
“ This year, we will harvest approximately 1 million lbs. of Almonds, followed immediately by 2 million pounds of Walnuts – and this year, it looks as though we will have some overlap –which is a challenge for the Crews.
Harvest 2020 has not been completely issue-free, as smoke from wildfires have lowered the ambient temperature, causing slower ripening. “This will not affect the Almond quality…” continued Samuel, “…but the lower orchard temperature will slow the drying process and lengthen the overall time of harvest.”
A 5 percent decline in mango volume from Ecuador as being forecast from last season.
The Mango Ecuador Foundation reports last season there were about 13 million boxes exported, but this year it is expected to be around 12.4 million boxes. Approximately 80 percent of production is exported to the U.S., with most of the rest going to Canada, Europe, Mexico and Chile.
The main factor behind this decline is the weather, especially the low temperatures in growing regions over recent months. In addition, the industry is experiencing an off-bearing year, he said.
The peak export weeks are expected to be the last half of November. Peak shipments are forecast to be flatter than normal. Although there will be a volume peak, it will be less of a peak than in previous seasons.
With Mexico finishing up earlier than normal, which created an attractive window for Brazilian mangoes, a good transition without any oversupply in the market is expected. The main varieties produced by Ecuador are Ataulfo, Tommy Atkins, Kent, and Keitt.
Peru’s mango export volumes are expected to be heavily affected by the ongoing drought in the country.
The Peruvian Association of Mango Producers and Exporters (APEM), reports Peru could export about 200,000 metric tons (MT) of mangoes in the 2020-21 shipping season, which will begin in November. This volume would be much lower than the record 234,000MT exported in the previous year, and cannot be completely explained by having high volume one season and lower volume the next.
There are other other variables in the forecast such as drought. The reservoirs are reaching historical minimum levels, with a lack of rain on the Peruvian coast, especially on the north coast, that could affect all the crops on the coast, including mangoes.
Mango plants needed to be constantly watered at this stage of their growth so that the fruit reaches the size the market requires. There also was a La Niña phenomenon in development, reducing rain falls.
The San Lorenzo reservoir, which is currently at half its capacity, stores the water to irrigate all the crops installed in the San Lorenzo Valley (Piura), which is the main mango producing area.
The harvest is over in the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota and shippers are expected make a big rebound from a disastrous season a year ago thanks primarily to too much rain.
The Northern Plains Potato Growers Association of East Grand Forks, MN estimates 30 percent of the association members’ crops were lost, and some individual growers lost nearly their entire acreage. This year is expected to be totally different.
A & L Potato Co. of East Grand Forks expects to be at full capacity for the first time in years. Last year, the company, lost 95 percent of its red and yellow potatoes.
Nokota Packers Inc. of Buxton, N.D., started digging potatoes the week of Sept. 14, with ideal digging conditions. The company has finished it red potato harvest a couple of weeks ago.
Lone Wolf Farms of Minto, N.D., reports similar conditions and started shipping in mid-October.
Folson Farms Corp. of East Grand Forks, ships red and yellow potatoes and had some digging delays due to dry conditions.
J.G. Hall & Sons, Edinburg, N.D., along with O.C. Schulz & Sons Inc., Crystal, N.D., will started shipping potatoes out of storage from H & S FreshPak Inc., Hoople, N.D., in October. Hall & Sons is just now start to ship its own potatoes.
Growers have been shipping about 80 percent of their potatoes to retail stores and 20 percent to foodservice. Foodservice business has been hit much harder by COVID-19.
Mexican tomato exports to the U.S. in 2020-21 are expected to increase 2 percent compared with 2019-20 levels, according to the USDA.
Mexico tomato exports tomatoes have increased from $406 million in 1995 to $2 billion in 2019, and the U.S. accounts for 99.7 percent of all Mexican exports. Mexico’s tomato planted area from October 2019 to March 2021 is forecast at 114,928 acres, 3 percent higher than the previous year.
The USDA annual report on Mexican tomatoes forecasts exports to the U.S. from October to September 2021 will total 1.87 million metric tons, 2 percent above the previous year.
Since Mexican tomatoes are produced in a fall/winter cycle and a spring/summer cycle, the USDA measures the agricultural production year over 18 months to capture all growing areas.
Mexican tomato production for agricultural year 2020 (October 2019 to March 2021) is forecast at 3.33 million metric tons according to Mexico’s Agrifood and Fisheries Information System. That is 3 percent lower than the previous agricultural year because of volatile weather in Sinaloa during the fall and winter cycle and acreage reductions.
The forecast for agricultural year 2021 (October 2020 to March 2022) is 3.47 million metric tons.