Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
Prime Time International, a fresh produce produce grower and shipper based in Coachella, CA has found the times of COVID-19 change, not only with growing their crops, but when it comes to transportation.
The company cites the cost of truck rates as an example and wonders just how how rates will soar this summer. It was pointed out, for example in mid-April truck rates from Nogales to Boston hit $9,300, which translates into nearly $10,000 for loads coming out of California. The company cited one truck who they knew had 8 trucks parked due to a lack of drivers.
It was not the pool of long-haul truckers is being depleted by demand in the home delivery arena. Those same drivers can work close to home and go home every night. The company has discover other drivers who do not feel the risk of driving cross country is not worth it. Due the lack of equipment, truck rates have been much higher during much of the past year. It remains to be seen how high rates must rise to create more supply.
Aside from transportation concerns, Prime Time is trying to figure out how consumers will react to the pandemic, and what will the be trucking requirements for restaurants and other foodservice outlets. It’s much easier consider what the demand from retailers will be.
When the pandemic hit the company’s spring crops in Coachella Valley last year crops were already in the ground and there was no opportunity to alter the production schedule. However, they were able to cut back some on production for the summer, which was just going in the ground. It is a year later but how the consumer will react over the next few months is equally uncertain.
Prime Time does also of foodservice business with its primary crop, Bell peppers. Last year, that business was mostly loss, though retail sales took up the slack. Foodservice accounts are finally starting to come back.
There is still uncertainly for shipments to retailers. Prime Time did increase its summer production a little bit over last summer, but its Coachella Valley acreage has remained the same.
The company’s red peppers had been coming from in Baja California but have recently shifted to Coachella. Prime Time has eggplant, sweet corn and chili peppers just starting with watermelons slated to begin on May 10. Typically, the Coachella row crops start in April and lasts until around June 10, as long as the temperature doesn’t get too hot.
Prime Time then farms acreage in the San Joaquin Valley and Ventura County.
California’s Coachella Valley grape shipments may decline in 2021, as bearing grape acreage has fallen and the industry has consolidated.
Tudor Ranch, of Mecca, CA reports grape Coachella Valley production this season could be about 2.1 million cartons, off from about 2.6 million cartons a year ago. The company believes the front-end crop is definitely light, the middle crop is average, and the late crop is average to heavy.
Harvest Should get underway around May 10 for Tudor Ranch, depending on the weather. Peak shipments should hit the first half of June, with Tudor Ranch continuing to load grapes through the Fourth of July holiday. A few shippers may have grapes through the end of July.
Anthony Vineyards, Coachella, CA, notes the company will have volume into July. The transition between Southern Hemisphere and Northern Hemisphere supplies could result in a gap due to extreme heat and possible monsoon rains in July which make grape shipments that month more challenging for Coachella Valley shippers.
In 2019, Sun World International LLC also announced the sale of its leased and owned California farming property to an investor group, which contracted with Sun Pacific to farm the vineyards under the name Famous Vineyards.
On March 31 of this year, Palm Desert, Calif.-based Sun World announced it will be acquired by Bridgepoint, an international private equity group. Bridgepoint will become controlling shareholder for Sun World, an international fruit genetics, R&D and licensing company, according to a news release.
In other news in the Coachella Valley, a private equity group bought all the farming assets of Richard Bagdasarian Inc. of Mecca, CA.
Illume Agriculture of Bakerfield has taken over the management of Bagdasarian Farms vineyards for the private equity group. With some acreage coming out in recent years, there could be less than 5,000 acres of grapes in the Coachella Valley now, compared with peak acreage of perhaps 18,000 acres 25 years ago.
Tudor Ranch notes peak volume from the Coachella Valley was close to 13 million to 14 million cartons two decades ago. Beside Illume Ag, there are four major players in the Coachella Valley, including Tudor Ranch, Anthony Vineyards, Castle Rock Farms and Delano Farms.
Colombia is the world’s 5th largest producer of bananas and it hopes to boost its banana exports by 10 percent this year.
Colombia exported 109 million 20-kilogram boxes of bananas last year, up 9.3% from 2019, boosting earnings by 6.5% to $916.2 million, according to
the Colombian Banana Growers Association
This is in spite of the coronavirus pandemic and the presence of the Fusarium wilt Tropical race IV (TR4) banana fungus that was detected in July 2019.
The Columbian banana industry hopes to export 120 million 20-kg boxes this year.
Higher output followed greater productivity per hectare versus 2019, as well as better weather in the first half of the year in Uraba, Colombia’s principle banana-growing region.
Production per hectare rose to 2,134 boxes per hectare, 173 more boxes than in 2019.
BAKERSFIELD, CA —Starting April 26, Cal-Organic Farms, the nation’s largest producer of organic vegetables, will start shipping freshly harvested, new crop red and gold potatoes to customers from their facility in Lamont, CA. The company’s organic rainbow fingerling variety is set to ship mid-May and organic russets will follow in mid-June.
A division of Grimmway Farms, Cal-Organic is one of the first producers to offer new crop organic potatoes this season. The company is currently harvesting reds and golds in Coachella Valley and will transition to harvest its complete portfolio of organic potatoes in Kern County next month. Spreading their potato crops across multiple regions allows Cal-Organic to harvest its premium quality potatoes early and maintain consistent supply through December.
“Quality looks phenomenal and we’re seeing one of the best potato crops we’ve had in years,” said Bob Borda, Vice President of Organic Sales at Grimmway Farms. “Mild weather through winter and spring have provided optimal yields with great availability for reds and golds this month and prepared us for a seamless transition in May.”
Cal-Organic provides a variety of consolidated shipping options to suit all retail, foodservice and industrial needs. For more information, call 661-845-3758.
Headquartered in Bakersfield, California, Grimmway Farms traces its roots to a produce stand opened by the Grimm brothers in the early 1960s. Grimmway is a global produce leader and the world’s largest producer of carrots. Grimmway supplies more than 65 organic, USA-grown crops and brands include Cal-Organic Farms and Bunny-Luv.
California ranks 3rd behind Texas and Florida with fresh grapefruit shipments and product off the West Coast is now being loaded.
Last Season (2019-20) California shipped 3.8 million boxes, up significantly from 2.8 million boxes a year ago and 2.6 million boxes from 2017-18. No estimate has been issued yet for this season.
As temperatures begin to rise in California’s Central Valley, the Bee Sweet Citrus of Fowler, CA has turned its focus to Star Ruby Grapefruit as a key player in the company’s seasonal line.
“Star Ruby Grapefruit are in season now, and the fruit’s quality has been nothing short of excellent,” stated Bee Sweet Citrus Vice President of Farming Keith Watkins. “As the season changes, we’ve seen a rising demand for grapefruit….”
Bee Sweet’s Star Ruby Grapefruit are promoted to anybody looking to add healthy fruits into their diet. With its high-fiber and high-water content, this citrus variety is an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin C and potassium.
“Star Ruby Grapefruit are especially sweet and juicy in the late winter and early spring,” continued Watkins. “Consumers can distinguish them apart from other grapefruit varieties with their blushed rind and dark, red internal color.”
About Bee Sweet Citrus
A grower, packer and shipper of California citrus, Bee Sweet Citrus is a leader in today’s agriculture industry. Founded in 1987, Bee Sweet Citrus is a family owned and operated company and provides over 15 different varieties of citrus to its consumers! Located in the heart of California’s Central Valley.
In its initial forecast for the 2021 season, the Chilean Citrus Committee of ASOEX estimates a six percent increase in citrus exports, encompassing navels, lemons, and easy peelers (clementines and mandarins). With a total citrus forecast of 387,000 tons, Chile expects to ship roughly 85 percent of all volume to the U.S. market.
As in previous seasons, growth will continue to be driven by the easy peeler category, with a projected seven percent increase for clementines (rising to 55,000 tons) and an 11 percent increase for mandarins (up to 145,000 tons). This estimated double-digit growth for mandarins in 2021 follows an incredible 40% volume jump in 2020.
Lemons (of which an estimated 60% will be shipped to the U.S.) are expected to see a three percent increase, while navel volume will stay relatively the same, at around 89,000 tons.
According to the Committee, the overall increase in volume is due primarily to the expansion of plantings over the past decade as there are 55,105 acres of citrus in Chile.
Clementine shipments started during the week of April 12th, while lemons will commence around the week of May 3rd.
Spring has sprung and with it has arrived a diverse set of apples and pears to transition the domestic to the imported crop.
The freshly harvested mix from the Southern Hemisphere is being made available coast to coast.
All offerings arriving from either New Zealand, Chile or Argentina, favorites like Royal Gala, Fuji, Braeburn, Granny Smith, Ambrosia, Smitten™ and Pink Lady® along with club varieties like Envy™, JAZZ™ and Pacific Rose™ round out Oppy’s apple basket. Its familiar pear assortment of Bosc, Bartlett, D’Anjou and Abate Fetel varieties also includes a strong organic program specifically from Argentina and Chile. Seeing increased demand for bagged pears, Oppy imports in bulk and bags at the source.
Envy™ and JAZZ™ apples hold top-10 category with volume.
And, with the heightened demand for organic apples evident in their double-digit year-on-year growth to a 16% share of total category sales and 12% share of pounds, organic Envy™ and JAZZ™ volume is set to increase in the years ahead.
Packaged apple sales also skyrocketed in 2020, now representing 45% of category pounds.
HOLLISTER, CA — Blueberry demand remains strong with American consumers, and Berry People, a year-round, full-line shipper of branded organic and conventional strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries, has promotable volumes of high-quality fruit available.
“South American supply delays caused by weather, port clearance and unloading delays caused by COVID-19 are behind us, and we now have steady volumes of great quality conventional and organic blueberries from our Mexican growers,” said Jerald Downs, President of Berry People. “Our growers in California report a fruit set that looks promising for harvest towards the end of April; we anticipate a steady transition from Mexican to Californian production over the next 60 days.”
Berry People’s unique approach to grower relationships has helped fuel their triple-digit growth over the past three years. “We bring a long-term perspective and a commitment to delicate bonds of trust to our grower relationships, and we strive to be true partners, with a holistic approach towards improving grower and Berry People operations from top to bottom,” Downs continued. “As a result, our business has grown organically through existing growers’ increasing referrals to their families, neighbors and friends. We are thankful for this organic, yet substantial, year-over-year growth, which has risen in tandem with our retailer and consumer demands.”
Berry People anticipates a robust spring and summer blueberry season in 2021, with a broader and more diversified base of growers and acreage from California and the Pacific Northwest, allowing us to handle the June through September transition with continuity, quality, and volume.
About Berry People:
Berry People is a year-round, full-line shipper of branded organic and conventional strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and owner of the Berry People brand. Headquartered in Hollister, California, the company’s ownership and key alliance partners hold important production assets in California, Mexico, Chile and Peru.
2021 is shaping up to be a big for California strawberries, with total
strawberry acreage for pegged at 36,487 acres.
The California Strawberry Commission’s acreage survey, released in December, shows acreage planted in the fall, which produces fruit during the traditional winter, spring and summer seasons, reported at 28,407 acres, up 5.7% compared to a year ago.
The Salinas-Watsonville district accounts for 43% of the state’s winter/spring/summer acreage, compared with 36% for Santa Maria, 20% for Oxnard and just 1% for Orange County/San Diego/Coachella.
California strawberry shipments are expected to peak in early May, with the state’s shippers projected to ship 10 million or more trays in a week.
While 10 million trays per week are seen for early May, the commission expects 9 to 10 million trays weekly for several weeks.
About 15% of California’s strawberry output is exported.
Total California organic strawberry acreage reported for 2021 is 4,684 acres, which is about 12.8% of total state acreage. Organic output reached a record in 2020, and acreage for 2021 is about the same as a year ago.
California strawberry acreage planted in the summer of 2021, which will produce during the fall season, is projected at 8,080 acres, according to the report. All of the summer planted acreage is in Oxnard and Santa Maria.
A majority watermelons being shipped to U.S. markets are coming from northern Mexico, with additional imports coming primarily from Honduras and Guatemala.
The first domestic shipments of the year got underway in recent days from the Immokalee area of southern Florida with light, but increasing volume.
As the season progresses production will move northward. Central Florida should start around the last half of late April. West Florida may get underway by the middle of May, with Georgia following in June.
Texas had some cold weather several weeks ago and shipments may start a little later than usual, with loadings beginning around May 10.
In California, the early production areas in the Coachella and Imperial valleys should also start about May 10.
Although most states produce watermelons commercially, Florida, Georgia, Texas and California account for nearly 80 percent of domestic production according to the USDA Economic Research Service.
Domestic production has remained fairly steady, and imports have increased in recent years as watermelon consumption continues to rise. Mexico accounts for about 80 percent of imports, with Honduras and Guatemala making up most of the balance.