Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
For Altar Cross Farms of Ivanhoe, NC has expanded its family owned organic blueberry production by 63 percent this year. With growing demand from both national and local retailers for its organic berries, the company expanded production and is now harvesting from 65 certified organic acres.
Happy Dirt of Durham, NC is an organic produce grower and distributor, handling the majority of Altar Cross Farms’ sales, serving a wide network of wholesale and retail partners across the Southeast.
This season marked the most productive blueberry crop Altar Cross Farms has had in five years, reports Roy Sykes, who co-owns the farm with his wife, Donna Sykes, and operates it with their daughters.
Altar Cross Farms is planted with a diverse varietal mix, including O’Neal, Duke, Legacy, New Hanover and Powder Blue to supports a harvest window stretching from mid-May through August.
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The 2025-26 California table grape season got underway in mid-May in the Coachella Valley in Southern California. As Coachella comes to an end any day now, loadings willshift north to the San Joaquin Valley, where grapes are harvested into December.
Good volume shipments are predicted this season.
To support the season, the California Table Grape Commission launched a global marketing campaign strategically developed to motivate the trade to stock and promote California table grapes, while inspiring consumers in the U.S. and across 21 export markets to choose more California grapes more often.
To encourage retailer participation, the campaign offers a comprehensive suite of promotional tools and incentives. These include bonus opportunities, digital promotions, a registered dietitian (RD) retail program, contests, point-of-purchase materials, and in-store sampling.
On the consumer side, the campaign features advertising on multi-retailer shopper apps, digital coupons and rewards, influencer and RD collaborations, and targeted social media advertising that highlights recipes, snacking ideas, and the health benefits of California-grown fresh grapes.
“Grapes from California enjoy a long season, with plenty of opportunity for promotion, from summer celebrations to fall gatherings,” said Ian LeMay, commission president.
“With a product that has global appeal, strong demand, and a strategic marketing campaign executed by a dedicated team, the commission is yet again ready to continue promoting California table grapes in markets around the world,” said LeMay.
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The tiny town of Hatch in Southern New Mexico gets to rockin’ this time of the year with sweet onions through July, followed it famous Hatch chili peppers during and August and September.
But while Hatch chiles might steal the spotlight, another New Mexico staple quietly complements the heat: sweet, mild onions grown in the same fertile valleys. Together, these crops tell a story of local flavor, agricultural tradition and growing national appeal.
Hatch chile season might not officially begin until late July, but Melissa’s Produce says Hatch sweet onions offer retailers a flavorful head start. Available from late May through July, these sweet, yellow onions are grown in New Mexico’s legendary Hatch Valley, where rich soil and ideal growing conditions create a flavor that’s sweet, mellow and perfect for summer grilling season, according to a news release.
Grown exclusively in the Hatch Valley of southern New Mexico, Hatch chiles thrive in the area’s unique combination of high desert climate, rich volcanic soil and temperature swings between hot days and cool nights. The territory gives Hatch chiles their signature flavor: earthy, slightly smoky and ranging from mild to hot, depending on the variety.
While technically a type of New Mexican green chile, Hatch chiles are distinguished by their place of origin, and for some fans, no other chile compares.
Their short season, typically from August through September, adds to their allure, fueling a cult-like following among food lovers who count the days until fresh Hatch chiles are back in stores and farmers markets.
Hatch sweet onions are available from late May through July. These sweet, yellow onions are grown in New Mexico’s legendary Hatch Valley, where rich soil and ideal growing conditions create a flavor that’s sweet, mellow and perfect for summer grilling season, according to a news release.
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With approximately 40% of the California avocado crop harvested by late May, the California Avocado Commission anticipates continued strong shipments through the summer. There were robust volumes in June and the crop forecast predicts this to continue in July, ranging from 11 to nearly 17 million pounds weekly, before gradually declining from August into September.
The California Avocado Commission’s marketing campaign includes consumer advertising, social media, public relations and influencer activities as well as customized programs for participating retailers and foodservice operators.
The Commission reports that advertising impressions through April alone exceeded 31 million, and its social media performance is surpassing both CAC’s goals and industry benchmarks.
About the California Avocado Commission
Created in 1978, the California Avocado Commission of Irvine, CA strives to enhance the premium positioning of California avocados through advertising, promotion and public relations, and engages in related industry activities. Ethically sourced California avocados are sustainably farmed and locally grown for exceptional quality and freshness, by about 3,000 growers in the Golden State.
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Frank Donio Inc. of Hammonton, NJ is a 90-year old company with a network of family-owned farms, and a group of growers who have been in business for generations.
In a typical year, the company reports the New Jersey season will yield an average of 12 to 14 million pounds of fresh and frozen blueberries.
Sunny Valley International of Glassboro, NJ has long been a supplier of imported and domestic blueberries, with good supplies in the category 12-months a year due to winter programs from Peru and Chile among others, plus spring programs in Georgia and North Carolina.
The grower/shipper started shipping in mid June and has strong volume. It, as well as other Jersey growers are expecting have 30-40 percent more fruit than last year.
The company is expecting a great supply between the second week of June through late July for East Coast retailers.
Sunny Valley is also the exclusive marketer for the Jersey Fruit Cooperative, marketing blueberries for nine family-owned blueberry growers in New Jersey.
Sonny Boy Produce Landisville, NJ typically ships about 6.5 million pounds of blueberries a year. It grows and ships Jersey blues, plus works with other companies from other growing areas to supply blueberries during other times of the year. The company also is expressing optimism for the shipping season.
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Morning Kiss Organic announced May 12 the return and expansion of its organic melon program, which includes mini seedless watermelons, cantaloupes and honeydews. The company said that — with its sourcing coming from Mexico, California and North Carolina — the program is designed to deliver melons throughout the summer and into early winter.
“Nothing captures the essence of summer like fresh organic melon,” Nelly Czajkowski, sales manager at Morning Kiss Organic, said in a news release. “These fruits are not only delicious and healthy but also a smart way for retailers to boost organic sales during the peak summer months.”
Morning Kiss Organic called the outlook for this summer’s melon crop very promising, saying it expects excellent volume out of California’s Central Valley. Such volume would support robust promotional activity throughout July and August, it added.
Morning Kiss Organic’s season will run from May through early December, with East Coast-grown mini seedless watermelons available from late June through early August. The company said it is looking forward to bringing in melons from a North Carolina grower.
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Naturipe Farms avocado season is shaping up to be one of the best yet, with a strong supply driven by the growing impact of maturing avocado trees in Colombia.
With Mexico providing year-round supply and Colombia complementing the seasonal transitions, hass avocados from both these points of origin result in a harmonious blend, says Naturipe. By using multiple growing regions, the company can provide an abundant supply of avocados, meeting retailer demand, according to a news release.
“Our Colombian avocado program has been a tremendous success,” said Andy Bruno, president of Naturipe Avocado Farms Division. “We are seeing improved quality and consistent supply as our trees mature and produce even more avocados. Retailers have embraced this new origin, and consumers enjoy how consistently delicious, ripe and readily available the supply is. Colombia’s climate and growing conditions allow for multiple crops throughout the year, which positions it as a reliable source for a 10-month supply now and, hopefully, 12 months once trees are fully matured.”
Naturipe owns its own Colombian avocado orchards, which it says gives the company full control over production and the ability to deliver consistent quality and supply to retail partners. With more than 1,500 acres of land dedicated to avocado production, Naturipe says it is well positioned to continue scaling its operations to meet growing demand.
“Our ability to diversify our supply mix and seamlessly integrate Colombian avocados with our existing program has been a game-changer,” Bruno said. “We’re excited for what’s ahead and confident that our program will continue to deliver the great-tasting flavor profile of hass avocados that retailers and consumers want year-round.”
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The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Pacific Regional Office, released its initial subjective forecast for 2025 California almond production on May 12. Production is projected to reach 2.80 billion pounds, a 3% increase over the 2024 total.
The state has 1.39 million almond-bearing acres, 10,000 more than the 2024 bearing acreage estimate.
According to the USDA report, the subjective forecast is based on a survey of 500 almond growers conducted between April 21 and May 7.
This year, the almond bloom began during the first week of February in the Sacramento Valley and peaked by mid-month. Weather during bloom varied across the state, with storms bringing heavy rainfall, wind and hail.
The report notes that crop development in the San Joaquin Valley was slower than usual due to cool temperatures and reduced bee flight hours. However, conditions improved in early March, with warmer weather accelerating the crop’s progress through the end of bloom.
Growers reported significantly lower yields in the Nonpareil variety due to a lighter overall flower set compared with its pollinators. The impact of the intense summer heat on orchards in 2024 is still being assessed. Meanwhile, growers are actively irrigating, fertilizing and treating orchards for pests and disease.
On a positive note, water is not expected to be an issue this year.
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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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