Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
Significant developments have taken place from leading exporting regions, particularly Ecuador and Peru, as the mango export market transitions into 2025. The National Mango Board’s latest crop report gives important insights into what is taking place.
Ecuador has concluded its mango season, a key component of its agricultural export industry. In contrast, Peru is actively engaged in the harvest and packing phases of its mango production.
Currently, the predominant mango variety being exported to the U.S. market is Kent, accounting for 99% of total mango shipments. Though the Kent variety dominates, there is also a limited supply of other types, including Tommy Atkins, Ataulfo, and Keitt.
This focus on the Kent variety highlights consumer preferences and the market’s responsiveness to demand.
For the week ending December 28, 2024, approximately 1,095,200 boxes of mangos were shipped:
- Ecuador contributed around 34,200 boxes, resulting in a total seasonal volume of 14,702,282 boxes.
- Peru shipped approximately 1,061,000 boxes, bringing its seasonal total to 11,153,072 boxes.
Looking ahead, projections for mango shipments from week 1 (January 4, 2025) to week 5 (February 1, 2025) indicate a significant anticipated increase of about 59% year-over-year. This growth is driven by expected arrivals from mid January though mid February.
Specifically, Ecuador’s agrarian output for 2024 is forecast to increase by approximately 127% compared to 2023, and by 7% relative to 2022. Meanwhile, Peru’s 2024 mango season is projected to rise by around 209% over 2023, though it is expected to be 16% lower than in 2022.
Strong Winds, Wildfires are Affecting Oxnard, CA Shipments; When Loading, Check for Ashes on Produce
The recent devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area had not impacted the Oxnard growing region until yesterday January 22. The Hughes Fire, located approximately 50 miles from Oxnard in Castaic, kicked up at approximately 10:30 am on January 22, according to a press release by Markhon of Salinas, CA.
Strong winds pushed smoke and ash into the Oxnard region by early afternoon, significantly reducing air quality. Conditions have cleared up, and there is currently no detectable smoke in the region, but some growers have canceled harvests due to these Santa Ana winds and the potential for smoke/ash to become a concern again.
Oxnard crops that have been impacted and/or are subject to falling ash:
- Celery
- Cilantro
- Kale
- Parsley
- Strawberries
As of this morning, the Hughes fire has burned over 10,000 acres and is only 14% contained. Markon inspectors are actively monitoring the situation and will continue to update with any new developments.
While fresh and processing apple in storage remaining to be shipped are off from the 2023-24 season, the figure of 151 million bushels is still 11% higher than the five-year average for January.
In a recent apple holdings report, Chris Gerlach, vice president of insights and analytics for the U.S. Apple Association said the total number of apples in storage as of Jan. 1, 2025, is 151 million bushels. That figure, Gerlach reported, is 4% lower than the previous year’s total of 156 million bushels but is still 11% higher than the five-year average for January.
Fresh apples totaled 107.8 million bushels, which is 4% less than inventories for last January but still 13% higher than the five-year January average.
USApple reports processing apples totaled 43 million bushels, which is down 2% from last year and 7% lower than the five-year average for January.
Washington state has 123,157,143 bushels of apples total in holdings. While that figure is up from the five-year average of 107,765,37, the state moved 2,782,174 bushels of apples in regular storage and 9,990,207 bushels of apples in controlled-atmosphere storage from December to January.
New York has 10,815,139 apples in holding, slightly up from the five-year average of 10,153,947. Between December and January, the state moved 417,080 apples in regular storage and 310,055 apples in controlled-atmosphere storage
Michigan has 9,217,433 bushels of apples in holding, which is slightly above the five-year average of 8,098,760. The state moved 167,885 bushels of apples in regular storage and 804,682 bushels of apples in controlled-atmosphere storage.
The report shows that gala tops the varieties in storage, with 18,672,260 bushels of apples total in holdings. Red delicious is second with 16,045,947 bushels in holdings, follwed by granny smith with 13,089,656 bushels in holdings.
Rounding out the top seven are Cosmic Crisp with 11,447,619 bushels in holding, fuji with 11,094,929 bushels in holding, Pink Lady/cripps pink with 9,679,341 bushels in holding and Honeycrisp with 9,432,737 bushels in holding.
The first of four break bulk cargo ships from Peru’s Port of Paracas arrived in Philadelphia at the Port of Gloucester in New Jersey January 16. In a historic milestone, the boat transported shipments of Peruvian table grapes.
The accomplishment came due to SENASA of Peru and the USDA which is a breakthrough, resulting the Peruvian industry have a new alternative to ship fruit in containers.
SENSA pointed out this had never been done from Peru. It came about due to a long term coordinated effort with SENASA, PROVID (the table grape association), the shipping companies, and the ports to achieve this operation in break bulk ships.
This type of transportation is more efficient, when considering the global container shortage, where a demand that exceeds the inventory creates substantial congestion in container terminals.
Break bulk ships arrive at private terminals which are less congested, thus avoiding the congestion at other terminals. This results in fruit being unloaded faster.
A second ship is on its way from Peru to the U.S., a third is about to sail, and the fourth is ready to leave the week of January 20-24.
The first vessel arrived in Philadelphia carrying 3,876 pallets and 76 containers of grapes.
The second, third, and fourth vessels will deliver 4,500 pallets and 100 containers each. Break bulkHe favors Peruvian grape exports to the United States, especially during the winter in the northern hemisphere, when operations become longer and congestion at ports builds up.
This permits ships to bypass the line and avoid the 7 to 10-day congestion delays in the ports today.
Peruvian table grapes are among the fastest-growing industries, increasing from 400,000 metric tons (MT) in 2019-2020 to 622,000 MT in 2022-2023.
In this context, market research firm Fluctuante recently published a report on agro-exports, analyzing the current state of the industry in Peru.
The report indicates that in the 2023-2024 campaign, table grape exports slightly declined to 525,000 MT due to heavy rains and high temperatures affecting fruit quality. Despite the downturn, Peru remains the world’s largest exporter of table grapes.
Meanwhile, China significantly increased its exports, reaching 490,000 MT in 2023-2024. South Africa maintained a stable share, while Chile’s exports decreased from 496,000 MT to 480,000 MT over the same period.
The Peruvian Table Grape Producers Association (Provid) projects record exports for the 2024-2025 season, estimating more than 78 million boxes of 8.2 kg each, equivalent to approximately 640,000 MT.
Provid highlighted that this volume represents a 25.4% increase over the previous season, driven by production recovery along the north coast and the introduction of new, higher-yield varieties.
Peruvian grapes are primarily destined for the United States, Europe, Latin America, and China.
David Sandoval, general manager of Fluctuante, pointed out that Peru has transitioned from an emerging exporter to a global leader in the table grape market.
He explained that the industry’s growth began in the 1980s with initial Red Globe exports, but “it was in the last decade that the country solidified its position through crop expansion, varietal innovation, and strategic trade agreements.”
Sandoval noted that Peru achieved a milestone during the 2022-2023 season by exporting 585,000 tons, accounting for 16% of the global market and surpassing long-standing competitors.
“For the 2024-2025 campaign, we expect a new record of 640,000 tons, driven by production recovery and the introduction of seedless varieties like Sweet Globe and Autumn Crisp,” he said.
Peruvian table grape exports reach more than 50 international markets. The primary destinations include the United States, Europe, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Latin American markets, such as Mexico and Brazil, also play a significant role. In Asia, China is a growing market for Peruvian grapes.
Sandoval remarked that in December 2024, the industry successfully exported grapes cold-treated in shipholds for the first time in South America.
“The shipment, consisting of 4,000 pallets—nearly 200 containers—departed from the Port of Paracas bound for the United States. This logistical innovation aims to improve efficiency and quality in the supply chain,” he said.
Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, two of the world’s leading shipping companies, announced recently they will not be returning to the Red Sea immediately following the ceasefire announcement between Hamas and Israel.
Hapag-Lloyd reports the company is closely monitoring the conflict in the Red Sea and wants to resume operations as soon as they are safe.
Maersk reports it is still too early to speculate about timing.
Hapag-Lloyd had already give notice in June a ceasefire would not mean an immediate resumption of passage through the Suez Canal, as attacks from Yemen-based Houthi militants, could still be possible.
Rearranging the schedule takes four and six weeks.
Disruptions in the Middle East have caused shipping companies to divert their vessels towards longer routes. These companies often force their container ships around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, pushing freight rates higher and disrupting global ocean shipping.
California grower and shipper Fruit World is experiencing a strong organic and conventional mandarin season, with this year’s organic clementines in particular showing notably high sugar levels. The overall quality is exceptional, with both flavor and appearance meeting high standards, the company said in a release.
Bianca Kaprielian, the founder and CEO of Fruit World, based in Reedley, CA, explains that the season started with organic Clementines from Sky Ranch, the family’s property, and that these fruits are performing especially well.
“These mandarins are always special, but this year they are exceptional,” she noted. Other organic varieties, including Satsumas, also exhibit higher-than-average sugar content for this season. With an abundant crop, Fruit World anticipates a continued supply of fruit throughout the season.
In addition to mandarins, the firm is also offering a variety of other organic fruits, including Navel oranges, lemons, grapefruit, and soon, Cara Caras, Buddha’s Hand, Mandarinquats, and Limequats.
A recent desert freeze in California and Arizona is the most serious thus far this winter. Damage to lettuce needs to be closely watched by haulers to help reduce chances of claims at destination.
In a press release, Markhon Cooperative of Salinas, CA recently assessed the current situation.
• Widespread, moderate-to-heavy lettuce ice is expected throughout this entire week in all Arizona and California desert growing areas
• Harvesting delays of three to four hours are being reported; loading delays can also be expected
• This significant freeze event will have lasting effects on the quality of many desert row crop items
• Lettuces and tender leaf items are the most susceptible to freeze-related quality and shelf-life challenges
• Apart from quality, plant growth will also be affected as ground temperatures decrease this week
• Markon inspectors are monitoring conditions and will update further as needed
Over 150,000 tons of avocados will be shipped from 
Michoacán to the United States for the 59th edition of the Super Bowl on Feb. 9, according to the head of Mexico’s Secretariat of Economic Development (Sedeco), Claudio Méndez Fernández.
El Sol de Zamora informs that production corresponds to that harvested in the municipalities of Acuitzio, Tacámbaro, Peribán, Tancítaro, and Uruapan.
The Super Bowl is one of the main events for the avocado industry in the U.S., along with Cinco de Mayo celebrations.
“Demand is growing year by year. The Super Bowl is when avocados are sold the most in the United States. The second date is May 5th, because it has become part of the gastronomy and diet of the citizens,” Méndez said.
Last year, around 54 million avocados were consumed on Super Bowl Sunday alone, making them one of the favorite foods of American football fans.
“Consumer consumption for avocados that are used to make guacamole significantly increases during Super Bowl Sunday,” according to the USDA. “Regarding increased sales, avocados are the real Super Bowl champion.”
FreightWaves reports more than 90% of avocado imports from Mexico enter the U.S. through Texas ports of entry in Laredo and Pharr.
The industry will experience a 25-30% avocado shortage through January. USDA inspections were curtailed over the last two holiday weeks; inclement weather has also caused trucking delays. Expect extremely limited supplies and increased prices for the next two weeks, according to a press release by Markhon Cooperative of Salinas, CA.
Mexico
- All sizes are extremely tight
- Size and grade substitutions may be requested to fill orders
- Quality is good; checkerboarding (uneven ripening within a case) has been reported
- Expect elevated markets and tight supplies through the next two weeks
Colombia
- Imports will ship into the East Coast through May; these supplies only account for 5% of U.S. demand
- The crop is currently dominated by small sizes (60- to 84-count fruit)
- Quality is comparable to that in Mexico; texture is creamy and oil content is high
California
- Regular inspection schedules will resume in mid-January
- New crop production will start in late January
- Once this season begins, supplies will help fill the void from Mexico-grown product