Posts Tagged “California grape shipments”
Warm winter weather throughout California and south of the border is expected to bring shipments of Coachella Valley grapes, as well as Mexican grapes through Noglaes, earlie than usual this spring.
Mexico and Coachella typically start within days of each other, although Mexican grape shipments tend to be a few days earlier. Shipments of green grapes from Mexico should start in light volume in late April, with Coachella grape shipments getting underway by early May.
Loadings of red grapes will typically start within a week or so after the green fruit is underway. Good volume of both Mexican and Coachella Valley grapes are expected for Memorial Day. Peak shipments from both areas should occur from the last week of May through the middle of June.
While a forecast has yet to be made for the upcoming grape shipping season, during the 2013 season California shipped 117.4 million boxes of fresh grapes.
Over the past 10 years the volume has significantly increased. In 2003 California grape shipments were under 80 million boxes. In 2012 the 100 million box mark was crossed for the first time in history, and in 2013 another record was set with the crop totaling 117.4 million boxes.
Top shipments to export markets last year were Canada at 11.9 million boxes, followed by Hong Kong/China at 7.9, and Mexico at 6.6. The 2013 season started with shipments in early May and continued into February 2014.
California table grapes have been shipped at a record pace in recent weeks. According to USDA data through Sept. 13, five of the past six weeks have seen week-ending shipment totals of over 4 million boxes. Last year, only one week in the entire season surpassed 4 million.
Idaho, which rules potato shipments, will have less loads available this season, but there are still a lot of spuds for hauling.
With nearly 45 million boxes of California grapes already shipped, the industry is on pace for another record crop year.
The vast majority of California grape shipments are delivered by trucks to markets throughout North America.
August 2013 saw 18.4 million boxes shipped, a record-high for that month. This is 6 percent more than August 2012. The previous record of 18.1 million boxes was set in August 2007.
The total volume surpassed the 100 million 19-pound box equivalent mark for the first time in history last year and set a new record. The 2013 season estimate is 105.7 million 19-pound box equivalents.
Grape loadings from California will be available through January 2014.
Idaho Potato Shipments
The 2012 potato harvest in Idaho was remarkable in several respects. Acreage was up about 25,000 acres over the previous year. In fact it was so huge potato farmers in effect dumped (or at least sold spuds very cheap) totalling over 4 million cwt to feedlots.
The 2013 harvest, which got underway with Russet Norkotah potatoes as well as some red, gold and fingerling varieties in August, should have more normal shipments. Loadings should be down eight to 10 percent for the season compared to last year for Idaho.
San Joaquin Valley grapes and other produce – grossing about $7200 to New York City.
Idaho potatoes – about $3200 to Chicago.
Harvesting of pears in Washington state and Oregon got underway last week and there are light shipments taking place. Volume is increasing on a weekly basis.
California grapes are now in heavy volume.
The region is expected to ship about 19.4 million, 44-pound boxes of pears this season, which would be up about two percent from the 2012-13 crop.
If estimated pear shipments hold true for the season this would be 4 percent higher than the five-year average for loadings.
Pear volume for summer/fall pears from the Pacific Northwest is expected to be 4.7 million boxes, which would be about 5 percent less than 2012 season. Volume for Northwest winter pears is expected to come in at 15 million boxes. The total Northwest winter pear volume is anticipated to be approximately 15 million boxes, up 4 percent from 2012.
California Grape Shipments
After an early and fast start to the California table grape season, the rapid paces is expected to continue well past Labor Day. Shipping volume is running about two weeks earlier than normal.
During the 2012 season, California harvested 100.1 million 19-pound box equivalents of table grapes. Last April the preliminary estimate for this season was 106.9 million boxes.
San Joaquin Valley grapes – grossing about $7500 to New York City.
Washington pears and apples – grossing about $6500 to New York City.
The last potatoes of the shipping season, which have been held in storages for months, may have quality problems which could result in rejected loads or claims. The good news is there are very few russetts left in major shipping states such as Idaho.
What started out as a huge crop last fall, has faded quickly since spring. Packouts have been off due to quality problems and some spuds have even been used a cattle feed.
There is light volume with the new crop of red and yellow potatoes out of Washington and Oregon with shipments picking up the week of July 22. Russet loadings should get going between July 22 and Aug. 1.
Overall potato shipments are going to be very light around the country until about the second week of August, as the new crop starts gaining steam.
Blueberries
Big volumes of blueberries are seen from Oregon and British Columbia in July and August — and likely even into September. There have been few complaints regarding size, or taste, which means fewer problems for drivers at unloading docks.
Grapes
In California, record shipments of table grapes are still being seen for this season. Another forecast will be issued in late July.
Last year California topped 100 million boxes of grapes shipped for the first time. This season observers are looking at shipments hitting nearly 107 million, 19-pound cartons. Hang on sloopy, that’s a lot of fruit! Grape loadings are taking place from the Arvin district.
Over half of California’s grapes will be shipped after Labor Day and extending into December, a trend that has come as newer, late variety grapes have been developed.
San Joaquin Valley grapes and stone fruit – grossing about $8,000 to New York City.