Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
U.S. potato shipments will be down 6 percent for the 2019 – 2020 season, according to the first forecast of the year from the USDA.
Total production for 2019 is forecast at 422 million cwt., down 6 percent from 2018.
The harvested acreage for 2019 is estimated at 938,900 acres, down 7 percent from 1.01 million acres last year.
The yield forecast, at 450 cwt. per acre, is up 7 cwt. compared with the 2018 crop.
Potato growers in Idaho had crop losses due to freezing temperatures in late September and early October, with several growers leaving potatoes in the ground, avoiding the cost of harvest.
Washington growers had some quality concerns due to soilborne issues and freeze damage at the end of the harvest season.
Endless rains in late September and early October hampered harvest in the Red River Valley in North Dakota.
The potato estimate put harvested acreage in North Dakota at 59,000 acres, down 19 percent compared with last year. Total output in North Dakota was 20.9 million cwt. down 12 percent compared with 2018.
The Idaho potato crop is estimated at 133.9 million cwt., off about 6 percent from 141.8 million cwt. a year ago.
Total shipments of U.S. potatoes the week of Nov. 3-9 totaled 3.67 million 50-pound carton, down 23 percent from 4.74 million 50-pound cartons a year ago.
About 2 billion pounds of avocados from Mexico this season — an increase of about 6 percent over last year, are expected to be handled by U.S. importers.
Mexican avocado shipments are heaviest from October through May, although ships take place the year around..
McDaniel Fruit Co. of Fallbrook, CA sees good quality and volume imports coming from Mexico.
Calavo Growers Inc. of Santa Paula, CA expects steady avocado shipments with peak loadings taking place from January to April. Volume will start declining by the end of March or mid-April.
Del Rey Avocado Co. Inc., of Fallbrook, CA sees plenty of volume from Mexico until about June 1st. The company also does not expect a repeat of last season when a sharp decline in volume began in late May and early June.
Instead, the company expects shipments to be more steady throughout the season with a few spikes for special occasions such as the Super Bowl and Cinco de Mayo.
West Pak Avocado Inc. of Murrieta, CA sees good quality and significantly more shipments this season from Mexico.
The Giumarra Cos. of Los Angeles believes steady volume best describes this season.
Florida tomato shipments remain steady, and quality is reported to be good.
The Florida Tomato Exchange of Maitland, FL reports growing conditions have been great, while Hurricane Dorian did not have any impact.
While fall tomato shipments in Northern Florida have ended, Central Florida loadings have now taken over and will continue through winter. Volume similar to the past two years is expected. Round tomato volume should total around 26 million to 28 million boxes. Round, or mature green tomatoes usually account for about 70 percent of the Florida tomato shipments, with romas, cherry and plum varieties making up the balance.
There’s good reason why Maine potatoes typically play second fiddle to midwestern and western potatoes, even though Maine is much closer to a huge portion of the nation’s population in the Northeastern and east coast markets. Potato shipping areas ranging from the Red River Valley to Idaho, Washington and California have better reputations for quality.
Can this year be different? Maine potato shipments are being touted by some as having more volume and better quality this season.
Cambridge Farms of South Easton, MA is a buying broker and shipper of potatoes that also has a branch office in Presque Ise, ME. The company is stating it believes this could be a year for Maine potato growers to “really showcase” their products, something they haven’t been able to do in recent years.
Maine potato shipments should continue into mid-March with lesser volume extending by some shippers into April.
Cambridge Farms has acknowledge the extensive penetration on the East Coast by Western potato producers at the expense note only Maine, Long Island, NY; and Virginia.
Maine Farmers Exchange, Presque Isle believes Maine potato shipments could receive a boost in demand because of smaller crops in Idaho and the Red River Valley.
While Maine ships primarily russets, it also has red, yellow and white potatoes.
While the russet burbank is grown mostly for processing in Maine, caribou russet can be used for processing and the fresh market.
About 50,000 acres of potatoes are planted in Maine, with about 30,000 acres producing potatoes for processers, McCains and Cavendish., The balance of the acreage divided among seed, chip stock and table stock.
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By U.S. Department of Defense
Brothers Produce Inc.,* Friendswood, Texas, has been awarded a maximum $202,500,000 firm-fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for fresh fruits and vegetables.
This was a competitive acquisition with one response received. This is a 60-month contract with no option periods.
Location of performance is Texas, with a Nov. 3, 2024, performance completion date. Using customers are Department of Agriculture schools. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2024 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE300-20-D-S736).
Frank Gargiulo & Son Inc.,* Hillside, New Jersey, has been awarded a maximum $16,483,500 firm-fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for fresh fruits and vegetables.
This was a competitive acquisition with one response received.
This is a 54-month contract with no option periods. Locations of performance are New Jersey and New York, with a May 3, 2024, performance completion date. Using customers are Department of Agriculture schools. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2024 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE300-20-D-S737).
Lower Rio Grande Valley shipments are looking good for the coming months.
The International Produce Association of Mission, TX reports ideal growing conditions.
Val Verde Vegetable of McAllen, TX reports truck supplies are expected to be adequate for produce shipments. It was only two years South Texas shippers were scrambling for trucks. The company cited one factor then was when electronic logbooks were just being implemented.
Citrus Shipments
Texas citrus shipments are looking good for the 2019-20 season. The USDA predicts the non-Valencia orange shipments at 2.05 million boxes, down 2.2 million boxes from a year ago. However, this is up the 1.53 million boxes two years ago. Texas Valencia orange volume is forecast at 650,000 boxes, an increase from 290,000 boes last year and 350,000 cartons two years ago.
Texas grapefruit shipments is predicted to be 5.7 million boxes, down from 6.1 million boxes a year ago but up from 4.8 million boxes two years ago.
The USDA said that domestic grapefruit shipments in calendar year 2018 totaled 191.5 million pounds, down from 203.6 million pounds in 2017 and also off from 205.8 million pounds.
However, grapefruit exports from Texas totaled 16.5 million pounds, up from 5.9 million pounds in 2017 and 1.3 million pounds in 2016.
2018 shipments of Texas oranges totaled 106.7 million pounds, up from 99.1 million pounds in 2017 and higher than 103.6 million pounds in 2016.
Vegetable Shipments
During November, volume was building kale, cilantro and cabbage with excellent quality reported.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that Texas cabbage shipments in 2018 totaled 85.7 million pounds, down from 120.5 million pounds in 2017 and off from 128.7 million pounds 2016. Shipments peaked December to March.
Texas shipments of greens totaled 13.1 million pounds in 2018, down from 14.1 million pounds in 2017.
Texas onion growers finished planting in November. South Texas onions are available March into July.
In 2018, shipments of Texas onions totaled 283.7 million pounds, compared with 199.2 million pounds in 2017 and 209.2 million pounds in 2016.
Acreage of onions in south Texas has not yet been estimated, but acreage in the past couple of years has ranged from 6,500 to 7,500 acres.
The “great grandfather” of onion varieties is the 1015, but now there are many more varieties, including the 1105, the 1110 and others.
“I don’t think the trucking situation is going to be a factor like it was two years ago when e-log (requirements) started up. There is plenty of equipment around.”
Citrus
Prospects are looking good for Texas citrus in the 2019-20 season.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture forecast the non-valencia orange output at 2.05 million boxes, down from 2.2 million boxes last year but up from 1.53 million boxes two years ago. Valencia orange output in Texas is forecast by the USDA at 650,000 boxes, up from 290,000 boxes last year and 350,000 cartons two years ago.
Texas grapefruit production is forecast at 5.7 million boxes, down from 6.1 million boxes a year ago but up from 4.8 million boxes two years ago.
“The Texas citrus crop had a great bloom and a good set,” Galeazzi said. “We’re expecting to see some very good sizes of grapefruit and oranges.”
The USDA said that domestic grapefruit shipments in calendar year 2018 totaled 191.5 million pounds, down from 203.6 million pounds in 2017 and also off from 205.8 million pounds.
However, grapefruit exports from Texas totaled 16.5 million pounds, up from 5.9 million pounds in 2017 and 1.3 million pounds in 2016.
2018 shipments of Texas oranges totaled 106.7 million pounds, up from 99.1 million pounds in 2017 and higher than 103.6 million pounds in 2016.
Looking ahead
Kale, parley, cilantro and cabbage were increasing in November, and quality in the field has been stellar, Galeazzi said.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that Texas cabbage shipments in 2018 totaled 85.7 million pounds, down from 120.5 million pounds in 2017 and off from 128.7 million pounds 2016. Shipments peaked December to March.
Texas shipments of greens totaled 13.1 million pounds in 2018, down from 14.1 million pounds in 2017.
Texas onion growers will finish up planting in November. South Texas onions are available March into July.
In 2018, shipments of Texas onions totaled 283.7 million pounds, compared with 199.2 million pounds in 2017 and 209.2 million pounds in 2016.
Acreage of onions in south Texas has not yet been estimated, but acreage in the past couple of years has ranged from 6,500 to 7,500 acres.
The “great grandfather” of onion varieties is the 1015, but now there are many more varieties, including the 1105, the 1110 and others.
By Lone Star Citrus
Winter Sweetz, a Texas based grapefruit brand owned by Lone Star Citrus, announces the start of its twelfth season supplying quality, sweet grapefruit throughout the U.S. Now in full production, Texas Red Grapefruit shipments will be available through April 2020.
Winter Sweetz grapefruit is grown in the temperate and sunny climate of the Rio Grande Valley. This summer, the region experienced a lighter bloom, which allowed the fruit to increase, on average, one size compared to the previous season.
“We are thrilled with this season’s harvest and look forward to sharing our sweet and juicy Texas-grown Red Grapefruit with shoppers this winter,” said April Flowers, director of marketing at Winter Sweetz. “The bright color and juicy texture is the perfect pick-me-up during the winter months and we’re excited for our winter promotion to showcase the many ways consumers are able to use this versatile fruit.”
Winter Sweetz grapefruit began shipping mid-October and is currently in full production offering Texas Red Grapefruit.
About Winter Sweetz
Winter Sweetz is based in Mission, Texas and is a subdivision of Lone Star Citrus Growers.
About Lone Star Citrus Growers
Lone Star Citrus Growers is a company, formed in 2007. Born of a shared vision to provide the citrus-buying customer an alternative source of Texas citrus, three industry veterans combined their experience, strengths and resources to launch a dream. The foundation of this dream was built upon gathering a core team of employees that have been with us since the day we opened the doors in 2007.
There are 15 percent more fresh apples remaining to be shipped from U.S. storages than a year. This is according to the first storage report of the year from the U.S. Apple Association.
Apples in storage as of November 1st totaled 132.1 million cartons, up 15 percent from a year ago.
Meanwhile, apple for processing stood at 47.1 million cartons, up 23 percent greater than last season. Total apples in storage totaled 179.2 million bushels, 17 percent more than last November’s total of 153.4 million cartons and 5 percent more than the 5-year average for that date.
The latest estimate for the Washington apples is 138.2 million fresh packed boxes, up slightly from the August forecast.
At 138.2 million boxes, the November estimate is up less than 1 pecent from the August forecast and 18 percent higher than the 116.7 million carton crop of 2018.
The top 6 Washington fresh apple varieties this year, compared with a year ago, are:
- Gala: 23.5 percent , down from 23.6 percent a year ago:
- Red delicious: 19.7 percent, down from 24.2 percent last year;
- Fuji: 13.1 percent, compared with 13percent last year;
- Granny smith: 12.8 percent, up from 11.6 percent last year;
- Honeycrisp: 12.5 percent, up from 10.4 percent a year ago; and
- Golden delicious: 5.5 percent, up from 3.9 percent last year.
Florida fresh produce shipments will include over 300 different items and total in excess of 100,000 truckloads by June when summer heat tends to end any significant volume. Heaviest volume will come during April and May.
Last August there were 336 40,000-pound truckloads shipped, which was the highest in the past four years.
Between November and early June Florida typically ships the bulk of U.S. domestic fresh commodities. Most other U.S. states are dormant or have either just ended production or just started.
The USDA reports the top five produce items shipped from Florida in 2018 include tomatoes at 791.9 million pounds, sweet corn at 497 million pounds, strawberries at 229.6 million pounds, bell peppers at 206.5 million pounds and cabbage at 193.4 million pounds.
More than 791.9 million pounds of tomatoes were shipped out of Florida in 2018, increasing from 780.2 million in 2017.
Sweet corn shipments also grew from 479.3 million pounds in 2017 to 497 million pounds.
Orange shipments experienced growth, reaching 186.1 million pounds in 2018, an increase from 153.1 million pounds in 2017. Growth in orange shipments, however, did not exceed shipment numbers from 2015 or 2016.
Here are 2018 fresh produce shipments, with percent comparisons to 2017:
- Avocados: 25.2 million pounds, -29%;
- Beans: 126.7 million pounds, -17%;
- Blueberries: 19.7 million pounds, 3.1%;
- Cabbage: 193.4 million pounds, -14%;
- Celery: 62.9 million pounds, -16%;
- Sweet corn: 497 million pounds, 3.6%;
- Cucumbers: 99.9 million pounds, -15%;
- Grapefruit: 65.3 million pounds, -23%;
- Oranges: 186.1 million pounds: 22%;
- Bell peppers: 206.5 million, -6%;
- Strawberries: 229.6 million pounds, -9%; and
- Tomatoes: 791.9 million pounds, 1%.
While Florida fresh organic shipments are increasing, it still is miniscule. Organic accounts for less than 1 percent of total Florida fresh produce volume. By 2022 some observers believe it may account for 1,000 truck loads a year.
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California winter desert lettuce shipments are looking good this season due to good growing conditions, although the nearby Yuma lettuce season may be a little behind schedule because of rain.
Coastline Family Farms of Salinas, CA transitioned its lettuce shipments from the Salinas Valley to Yuma, AZ the second week of November and to Brawley, CA this week, where it has a branch operation.
The company reports the Yuma area was hit by a significant storm system that included heavy rain and hail, which causes significant damage to some early planted lettuce fields.
While lettuce shipments were lighter than normal for Thanksgiving, volume is now improving.
Coastline began around Thanksgiving from Brawley with Imperial Valley vegetable shipments including about two dozen items such as romaine, romaine hearts, cauliflower, green leaf and red leaf lettuce. These loadings should continue until early April
While romaine grown in Salinas has been cited for food borne illness, it thus far has not affected growing areas in the California and Arizona deserts. One possible point of confusion from a consumer perspective may be, for example, was observed recently in a Wal-Mart supermarket. A well known shipper stated on the romaine in the display case was distributed by the company “from Salinas, CA.” However, a Wal-Mart sign stated no lettuce was Salinas was being distributed by the store. That may be factually correct, but how many consumers hestitate to by the romaine because they do not know where it was grown.
Who really cares where the company who distributed it is from. It is more important to known where the produce was grown. One can debate\ the costs of labeling, but that is a whole different issue.
Boskovich Fresh Food Group of Oxnard, CA grows and ships most of it vegetables from Ventura County, although it complements its program of celery, cabbages, romaine, red- and green-leaf lettuce and other items with a limited amount of lettuce and some red and green leaf from Yuma.
Meanwhile, Peter Rabbit Farms of , Coachella, CA launched its red and green leaf season the second week of November, followed by romain loadings a week later. The company was experiencing truck load volume by Thanksgiving, with the season continuing through March.
Ocean Mist Farms of Castroville, CA grows and ships winter vegetables from the Coachella Valley including artichokes, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cardone, cauliflower, celery, fennel/sweet anise, a full line of leafy greens, green cabbage, iceberg lettuce, rapini/broccoli rabe and spinach.
Shipments of iceberg and leaf items started the third week of November, while broccoli and cauliflower got underway a few days before Thanksgiving. The company has increased its Brussels sprouts and iceberg lettuce volume this year.
Baloian Farms of Fresno CA started shipping from the Coachella Valley the first half of November with items ranging from romaine, to romaine hearts, red leaf, green leaf, jumbo butter leaf and cauliflower following its seasonal transition from the Fresno. The company expects similar volume again this season with romaine and green leaf , while more volume will be coming from other vegetables such as romaine hearts, green onions, cauliflower and celery.
Such a storm can damage or even destroy planted fields, he said.