Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
Introduced in 2018 First Kiss is an apple variety being shipped in greater, but still very limited supply.
For the first time, First Kiss will ship to select retailers nationwide, according to a news release. The variety was introduced by Honeybear Brands of Elgin, MN. It is grown exclusively in Minnesota.
“Our orchards are maturing each season and producing more and more of this amazing new fruit, so we’re able to ship — still in very limited supply — to a few retail partners outside of Minnesota who really want to try something that will wow their apple-loving customers,” Don Roper, Honeybear Brands vice president of sales and marketing, said.
First Kiss is a descendent of Minnesota’s Honeycrisp. The result is a tart and juicy apple with a firm, crisp bite and a deep, scarlet skin.
“It’s an early season apple … so it really now marks the opening of the premium apple season,” Kristi Harris, Honeybear Brands brand manager, said.
In Minnesota, Lund’s and Cub stores will sell First Kiss apples.
Cherry shipments from the Northwestern United States have been remarkable this season, but will seasonally come to a close this month.
Loadings are expected to end up around the 22 million, 20 pound equivalent boxes this season, not that much below the 25.4 million boxes a year ago. Although last season was a good quality crop, this year it is marked not only by beauty and taste, but exceptionally large sized fruit.
While there has been a lot of concern over Trump Administration tariff issues with China, exports represented 33 percent of the volume this season. The cherry industry was at best only hoping for 30 percent. A nice surprise.
Stemilt Growers of Wenatchee, WA reports overall, fruit quality is really really high and with great sizing.
It is still a month away, but Northwest potato shipments are expected to be good this season, following last year when the growing season was plagued by adverse weather.
Earlier this year when weather delayed plantings nearly a month, Mother Nature changed her tune and now the season looks to be pretty much on schedule starting during the first half of September.
Although Washington state acreage is up this season, it is due mostly for processing potatoes.
Skagit Valley’s Best Produce of Mount Vernon, WA completed its 20th shipping season in early May. It now has all of its red, yellow, white and purple potatoes in the ground, and the crop is progressing nicely.
Norm Nelson Inc. of Mount Vernon finished its plantings in early June and should start potato shipments in mid September with a bumper crop.
Bouchey Potato of Harrah, WA started harvesting conventional potatoes in July, plus will be shipping organic reds, yellows, russets and fingerlings this season.
Oregon Potato Shipments
Oregon’s upcoming season appears to be following a similar pattern.
Botsford & Goodfellow Inc. of Clackamas, Ore. reports a similar weather pattern experienced by the Washington potato industry, with crops progressing in a similar manner. The company, which is a shipper and broker of potatoes, is just starting its new season.
Riverside Potato of Klamath falls, Ore. reports it is about two to three weeks late this year, overall. It ships reds, yellows and russets.
U.S. apple shipments are expected to total over 267 million 42-pound carton equivalents, a 9 percent increase from the 244 million boxes loaded during the previous season.
Washington Apple Shipments
Washington had a smaller crop during the 2018 season than in 2017 – an estimated 117 million 40-pound boxes compared to 133 million boxes. This season increased shipments are expected.
Red delicious, gala, golden delicious, granny smith, Pink Lady, Honeycrisp and fuji are the top apple varieties, with the Cosmic Crisp being shipped in December for the first time.
Michigan Apple Shipments
Michigan apple shipments will get underway on normal schedule around mid- to late August, depending on variety. A good crop is seen. Last year’s volume was 25 million 42-pound box equivalents. The average crop size is about 25.2 million boxes.
Michigan grows many varieties, including consumer favorites like Honeycrisp, gala and fuji. The state also produces a number of popular club varieties, Smith said.
New York Apple Shipments
New York apple shipments for the season are estimated to be around 31 million bushels. Early variety loadings get underway in mid- to late August.
New York will be shipping SweeTango and favorites like Honeycrisp, gala, red delicious, mcintosh, empire, cortland and more.
California Apple Shipments
California apple shipments dipped last year because of bad weather, but should reach 1.5 million to 2 million 40-pound box equivalents, compared to 1.1 million boxes for the previous year.
Although the state had a rainy winter and spring, the apple loadings have just got underway with galas, as usual, followed by granny smith in August, fuji in September, Pink Lady in October and braeburn and other varieties after that.
California growers do not ship out of storage.
By Fruit World Co.
Reedley, CA – Fruit World Co. anticipates an increased shipments of their organic Thomcord grapes for the upcoming 2019 season. A hybrid of the heirloom “grape jelly” Concord Grape and popular Thompson Seedless grape, Thomcords are known for being exceptionally flavorful and aromatic.
Fruit World expects to begin shipping their 2019 crop of Thomcord grapes in 20 x 1 lb clamshells and 10 x 2 lb brown paper totes the first week in August, and will continue packing and shipping from their Reedley vineyard through early October.
Once again in 2019, each pack of Fruit World Organic Thomcord Grapes will engage consumers by sharing the Fruit World story and inviting consumers to send a text message to the grower.
In 2018, CJ Buxman, co-founder of Fruit World, the largest California grower of organic Thomcord grapes, had a fun idea: “I love the flavor and aroma of our Thomcord grapes, and I wanted to really connect with the consumers’ eating experience,” he explained. “So, we placed cards in over 160,000 one-pound clamshells inviting consumers to connect via text message.” After receiving over 1,800 text messages—and responding to every one of them—there was no doubt that consumers also love Thomcords.
These premium Thomcord organic grapes will once again be in high demand. “The Thomcord yield per acre is less than other varieties of table grapes, but its taste and aroma can’t be beat,” Buxman added. “They also are a perfect example of our obsession with growing the most flavorful fruit possible.”
And once again, Fruit World will be adding their ‘text-me’ cards to each package. “It’s a lot of work responding, but the messages are heart-warming, and our retailers tell us it really drove repeat sales,” said Fruit World co-founder Bianca Kaprielian. “We were blown away by the response last year. We expected people to love the flavor, but were surprised and humbled by the large number of people that took the time to thank us for growing them.”
In addition to Thomcords, in 2019 Fruit World will be shipping an additional ten organic grape varieties grown on the heritage vines of Pete Wolf, one of Fruit World’s grower partners. Pete Wolf was one of the first organic growers in California, and Fruit World proudly sells his fruit, some of the most flavorful, crunchiest grapes around. Fruit World is accepting orders now for these high demand, limited supply grape varieties. Call (559) 650-0334 for more information or visit fruitworldco.com to learn more about the Fruit World story.
Good volume berry shipments are expected from U.S. shippers the rest of the summer and a huge volume increase is in the forecast for imported Peruvian blueberries.
In early July, California strawberry shippers had moved over 105 million trays, compared to 121.4 million trays at the same time a year ago. Rain during the winter and spring followed by a heatwave the second week of June had California strawberry loadings running below last year’s numbers.
Besides strawberries there are other competing fruit shipments ranging from cherries, to stone fruit and melons.
Blueberry Shipments
Gourmet Tranding Co. of Los Angeles reports domestic blueberry shipments should remain strong for at least the next couple of months, continuing through September. However, domestic “blues” are expected to have some strong competition from Peruvian blueberry imports, which is seen increasing as much as 50 percent over a year ago. Those imports begin in August and continue through January and possibly into February.
The vast majority of domestic blueberry shipments during the summer are originating out of Michigan, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. All of these areas are reporting good crops.
Other Berry Shipments
Summertime means peak shipments for domestic raspberries and blackberries. A hot spell in California during June did not have as severe an impact on raspberries as it did on strawberries.
California raspberry shipments should continue into mid-November out of Watsonville. Razz loadings will then transition to Ventura County, before switching to Mexico for the winter.
California Giant Berry Farms of Watsonville will be shipping California raspberries until late September or early October before shifting to Mexico.
New York state produce shipments rank in the top 10 states and while summer loadings have been going on, the heaviest movement still lies ahead.
The USDA reports New York biggest fresh commodities by volume reveal apples, cabbage, cucumbers and fresh snap beans increased last year, while onions, sweet corn and potatoes dropped compared to the 2017 report:
New York shipped 823 truck load equivalents of apples and exported 150 truck loads in 2018, up from 7,35 truck loads and 140 truck loads respectively, in 2017.
Dry onions were at 440 truck loads in 2018, down from 404 truck loads in 2017.
Cabbage was at 437 truck loads in 2018, up from 405 truck loads in 2017.
Sweet corn shipments reached 108 truck loads in 2018, down from 118 truck loads in 2017.
Cucumbers were at 713 truck loads in 2018, up from 660 truck loads in 2017.
Potato shipments 673 truck loads in 2018, down from 825 truck loads in 2017.
Fresh snap bean shipments were at 50 truck loads in 2018, up from 37 truck loads in 2017.
Minkus Family Farms in New Hampton will start shipping yellow and red onions from it 1,500 acres of onions and cover crops in Orange County in August. The company expects to ship about 200 truck loads of onions this season.
New York’s sweet corn loadings may be down a little this year due to adverse weather during the planting season. The sweet corn season typically runs from July 20 to Oct. 10, but this year, the harvest is expected to be 2 to 3 weeks late.
Cabbage planting started about 2½ to 3 weeks late as well, and pumpkins and other squash got in the ground, but their growth is stunted due to cool weather, so they may not be ready until October.
Arisan Organics brand peaches and nectarine shipment got underway last week from Stemilt Growers of Wenatchee, WA.
Volume organic stone fruit loadings will pick up quickly by the end of the month, according to a news release. Peak shipments will occur from early August to early September.
Stemilt’s first Artisan Organic peach variety of the season is zee lady, and Sierra rich and sweet dream will be the bulk of the August shipments, with August lady wrapping up the season in September. Grand bright, honey haven and August bright are the company’s main organic nectarine varieties, according to the release.
Stemilt’s stone fruit is all organic, and the company’s organic program is celebrating a 30-year anniversary this year.
The company’s organic peaches and nectarines primarily are grown by the Douglas family in southcentral Washington.
“The Douglas family have farmed for four generations and knows how this region’s climate affects their organic crops,” Brianna Shales, Stemilt’s communications manager said in the release. “They have spent years perfecting the art of growing organics and they have found what works and what doesn’t.”
Michigan vegetable shipments have been underway for months, but will be peaking in August and September.
The state actually ships produce the year around, although apples make up its fruit shipments during the winter. Likewise most winter vegetable shipments consist of potato and onion repacking operation with the product sourced from other areas.
But right now the focus on fresh summer and fall produce loadings.
In 2018, Michigan shipped the equivalent of 50.8 million 40-pound cartons of fresh fruits and vegetables, according the USDA.
The state’s total shipments were slightly less than 53.2 million 40-pound equivalent cartons shipped in 2017 and 9 percent lower than the 55.8 million 40-pound cartons shipped by the state in 2016.
While Michigan ships fruits and vegetables every month of the year, volume will increase seasonally this summer and fall. Last year, 14 percent of total annual Michigan produce shipments occurred in August, increasing to 15 percent in September.
The top 10 fresh produce commodities for the state in 2018, in 40-pound carton equivalents, were:
- Apples, 6.9 million cartons, down 13 percent from 7.9 million cartons in 2017;
- Potatoes: 5.65 million cartons, down 4 percent from 5.91 million cartons in 2017;
- Watermelons (seeded and unseeded): 2.46 million cartons, up 5 percent from 2.35 million cartons in 2017;
- Cucumbers: 2.05 million cartons, down 7 percent from 2.21 million cartons in 2017;
- Onions: 1.14 million carton, down 16 percent from 1.36 million cartons in 2017;
- Bell peppers: 985,000 cartons, down 26 percent from 1.33 million cartons in 2017:
- Cabbage: 880,000 cartons, down 15 percent from 1.04 million cartons in 2017;
- Squash: 880,000 cartons, up 4 percent from 847,500 cartons in 2017;
- Celery: 862,500 cartons, down 33 percent from 1.28 million cartons in 2017;
- Blueberries: 672,500 cartons, down 32 percent from 982,500 cartons in 2017;
- Tomatoes (all types): 655,000 cartons, down 33 percent from 975,000 cartons in 2017;
- Sweet corn: 562,500 cartons, down 5 percent from 592,500 cartons in 2017;
- Asparagus: 272,500 cartons, down 8 percent from 297,500 cartons in 2017; and
- Peaches: 117,500 cartons, down 4 percent from 122,500 acres in 1970.
Long-term acreage trends
The USDA’s Census of Agriculture reveals most Michigan fruit and vegetables experienced an acreage decline in the past 10 years, though there are exceptions.
Acreage figures for Michigan fruits and vegetables in 2017, compared with 2007:
- Apples: 38,563 acres in 2017, down 13 percent from 44,189 in 2007;
- Peaches: 2,863 acres in 2017, down 47 percent from 5,400 acres in 2007;
- Grapes: 13,127 acres in 2017, down 11 percent from 14,701 acres in 2007;
- Blueberries: 22,959 acres in 2017 (no data for 2007);
- Celery: 2,078 acres in 2017, up 6 percent from 1,968 acres in 2007;
- Carrots: 3,473 acres in 2017, down 37 percent from 5,499 acres in 2007;
- Onions: 2,495 acres in 2017, down 46 percent from 4,592 acres in 2007;
- Cucumbers: 34,409 acres in 2017, down 16 percent from 40,820 acres in 2007;
- Lettuce: 1,027 acres in 2017, up 17 percent from 876 acres in 2007;
- Bell peppers: 1,876 acres in 2017, up 19 percent from 1,577 acres in 2007;
- Potatoes (fresh market and processing): 30,750 acres in 2017, up 19 percent from 1,577 acres in 2007;
- Sweet corn: 8,466 acres in 2017, down 11 percent from 10,885 acres in 2007;
- Strawberries: 870 acres in 2017, down 29 percent from 1,229 acres in 2007; and
- Raspberries: 532 acres in 2017, down 19 percent from 654 acres in 2007.
By California Pear Advisory Board
Domestic pears are back in season as California has just begun shipments.
California pear shippers are predicting they will harvest 2.28 million packages of Bartlett pears this summer, which is slightly more than last year’s crop of just over 2 million packages. In addition to Bartlett, the primary variety grown in California, the state is anticipating another 500,000 boxes of other varieties led by Golden Bosc. Additional heirloom varieties to be offered include Sunsprite, Starkcrimson, Red pears, traditional Bosc, Comice, Seckel and French Butter along with a limited supply of organic varieties.
The River Delta growing region in California will be first to harvest of Bartletts July 22 with the Mendocino growing area harvest predicted for August 5 and Lake County to begin August 12. Pears are sold by 4 California pear shipping companiess that include: David J. Elliot & Son and Greene and Hemly Inc., both of Courtland; Rivermaid Trading Company, Lodi; and Scully Packing, Finely.
This means that retailers and consumers can look forward to having fresh U.S. pears in their stores again instead of buying pears from other countries or from storage.
“To ensure top quality, most shippers will be hand-selecting the largest fruit first and pre-conditioning so consumers can enjoy ripe, ready-to-eat fruit from the beginning of our season,” says Chris Zanobini, Executive Director of the California Pear Advisory Board.
“Now is the time for retail stores nationwide to begin planning promotions for these early season, freshly harvested California pears,” stresses Zanobini. “In fact, marketing research clearly shows the early summer pear season is absolutely the most profitable for retail pear sales.”
When the harvest started, California had the only freshly harvested pears available.
California growers believe in harvesting and marketing the traditional way versus using controlled atmosphere storage or chemically treating the fruit for longer storage life. So, California can offer a fresh pear for its entire shipping period.
California pears have a rich history as one of the first tree fruits planted and sold commercially in the nation. Some 60 farming families continue to produce pears in California on orchards that can be over 100 years old.
“Today’s California pears are grown by fourth and fifth generation families who are farming the same land their grandparents and great-grandparents did during the California Gold Rush,” explains Zanobini. “The California Bartlett pear is truly heirloom variety and we want consumers to enjoy the rich history of our farming community as much as they enjoy our pears.”