Posts Tagged “feature”
Unseasonably hot weather is forecast for California’s San Joaquin Valley over the next week. March temperatures typically range from a high of 68 degrees to a low of 45 degrees, but this week, highs are forecast in the 90s. This has the potential to create quality defects in current and upcoming crops grown in that region.
Citrus
- Quality will remain strong
- Expect to see more pliability in Navel oranges, but supplies will not break down or decay any quicker than normal
- New crop Valencia oranges expected to start shipping in late April; expect to see an increase in regreening if the weather continues its warm trend
- Lemons are less susceptible to hot weather due to their thicker rinds
Grapes/Stone Fruit
- Growers have no long-term concerns for the upcoming summer crops
- Grapes and stone fruit are more susceptible to hail and rain damage
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The onion market is now entering its seasonal transition as Northwest storage supplies
begin winding down and fresh-run onions start moving out of Mexico and South Texas, according to Pro*Act, of Monterey, CA.
The distributor/broker notes markets are currently soft on yellow and red onions as new crop volume competes with remaining Northwest inventories. White onions remain the exception, where supplies
are tighter and pricing is beginning to firm.
In the Pacific Northwest, Washington, Idaho, and Eastern Oregon continue shipping
storage onions, though the season is clearly entering its later stages. Jumbo and
medium sizes remain available while super colossal sizes are more limited. As we move
deeper into the storage window, buyers may begin to see more translucency or watery
scales in some lots. This is a normal late-season condition and often improves with
proper airflow as the outer rings dry.
One of the biggest shifts this time of year is the transition from cured storage onions to
fresh-run onions.
Northwest storage onions have been cured for months, developing the familiar golden,
papery husk and lower pulp temperatures that allow them to store and ship
exceptionally well.
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The world is facing a persistent health crisis. Chronic non-communicable diseases – such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer – are the leading causes of death and disability globally. “Fruits, Vegetables, and Human Health: Key Nutrients and Their Role in Chronic Diseases” written by The Foundation for Fresh Produce’s Chief Medical Officer, Jelena Gligorijevic, MD, is a critical, evidence-based framework for how to begin tackling these problems. The solution is simple and one almost all of us already know: fruits and vegetables.
“This review strengthens the clinical and public health case for produce by confirming that a high daily intake of fruits and vegetables is a cornerstone strategy for both preventing and managing chronic noncommunicable diseases.” said Lauren M. Scott, President of The Foundation for Fresh Produce. “It moves far beyond ‘eat your veggies because they’re good for you’ and provides a robust scientific rationale for why fruits and vegetables are an essential part of dietary approaches and healthful lives all over the world.”
In the U.S., February is American Heart Month, making the release of this new review especially timely as heart disease is the leading cause of death. About one in three adult Americans has one or more types of cardiovascular diseases, and one in every three deaths is attributed to cardiovascular disease.
Heart disease is also the leading cause of death in the European Union, prompting the E.U. to launch a new Cardiovascular Disease Action Plan. The plan underscores prevention, nutrition, and early intervention as critical levers for reducing non‑communicable diseases.
This medical review reinforces the evidence that increased fruit and vegetable consumption plays a vital role in preventing and managing major cardiovascular risk factors both in the U.S., the E.U. and globally.
In addition to examining the effects of fruits and vegetables on heart disease, the review systematically explains how nutrients in fruits and vegetables directly combat the root causes of other major chronic illnesses, such as:
- Vitamins, antioxidants and phytochemicals reduce the inflammation that underlie many chronic diseases.
- High potassium and low sodium help manage hypertension.
- Low energy density and high fiber promote satiety and combat obesity.
- Fiber and phytochemicals exert a protective effect against diabetes, cancer, and digestive disorders.
- Anti-inflammatory compounds, antioxidants, and essential nutrients enhance neurotransmitter function, lower inflammation, and foster a healthy gut, all of which may contribute to better mood regulation and stress resilience.
“The review is more than an academic summary; it is a call to action for the global medical, governmental, and public health communities,” said Dr Jelena Gligorijevic, MD, Chief Medical Officer, The Foundation for Fresh Produce. “Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption is not just a lifestyle suggestion. It is an essential, powerful, and accessible strategy to improve quality of life and combat the global rise of chronic disease.”
Why it Matters for Global Health
The Foundation urges health professionals and public servants to familiarize themselves with this review. While the produce industry supplies the fruits and vegetables we need, clinicians, dietitians, policymakers, and government agencies must champion their consumption.
The findings are clear: fruits and vegetables provide the essential vitamins, minerals, bioactive phytochemicals, and fiber we need to prevent and treat major common diseases. By focusing on these benefits, the medical community can empower patients, people of all ages and policymakers to shape food environments and public education that move us beyond treatment to a sustainable model of prevention.
For more research and information on resources that support consumption of fruits and vegetables, visit www.fruitsandveggies.org.
About The Foundation for Fresh Produce
The Foundation for Fresh Produce is growing a healthier world by changing the trajectory of human health. We believe fruits and vegetables are the answer and we must remove barriers that prevent people from eating them.
The Foundation boosts the appeal of fruits and vegetables as an integral part of people’s diets, improves access, nurtures passionate fruit and vegetable professionals, and scales partner programs that strengthen our collective global impact. To join in changing the trajectory of human health, visit www.freshproduce.com/foundation to learn more and donate. For consumer inspiration and professional nutrition education, go to www.fruitsandveggies.org.
Primland, a French marketer and grower projects the company’s Chilean kiwifruit will have a 20 percent yield increase for its green variety, which accounts for approximately 90 percent of the total volume, due primarily to favorable weather and orchard management.
Additionally, the water availability in Chile is contributing to excellent fruit quality this year.
The South American country remains one of the world’s key kiwifruit exporters, supplying the United States, Europe, and Asia when Northern Hemisphere production is out of season.
Alongside its traditional green varieties, Primland continues expanding its yellow-fleshed kiwi program. The Oscar® Gold variety currently accounts for about ten percent of its supply this season in Chile, but there’s room for growth due to the rise in yields, as well as new plantings.
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The United States mango market is entering a more delicate phase of the winter season, as rainfall in northern Peru begins to constrain export volumes and reshape short-term supply expectations.
Recent field reports from growing areas such as Motupe and Piura indicate that persistent February rains have reduced exportable volumes and affected fruit quality. While harvesting and exports have not stopped, sustained humidity has increased phytosanitary pressure, resulting in higher cosmetic staining and lower pack-outs.
Infrastructure remains operational, and shipments to the US continue. However, fewer cartons are meeting export standards, and that reduction is beginning to be felt in destination markets.
Exporters report that some packing houses are closing earlier than expected due to lower throughput. At the same time, reduced availability is lending support to wholesale pricing in both the US and Europe. The current firmness reflects real supply contraction rather than speculative demand.
The data shows just how sharply volumes have shifted this season. After peaking near 81.5 million lbs. in January–February 2024-25, Peruvian shipments to the United States mango market appear materially lower so far in 2025-26, with January volumes trailing well below last year’s highs.
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By Joey Piedimonte, Pro*Act, Monterey, CA
I spent last week in Orlando for SEPC, and it was nice connecting with many of you out
there. While I was in Florida, I got a firsthand look at what the late January freeze did to
crops in the region and the impact is more significant than the reports suggested.
Bell peppers took a serious hit. Fields that should be loaded are thin, and what’s coming
out is inconsistent. Strawberry plants looked structurally sound, but the ratio of flowers to
fruit told the real story. There’s more bloom than berry right now, which means volume is
still weeks away.
That freeze is still echoing across the supply chain.
Bell peppers are tightening, particularly greens. Significant freeze losses in Florida have
resulted in lower yields and more off-grade fruit expected this spring. Western Mexico
volumes crossing through Nogales are rising and helping fill the gap, but prices are
climbing as demand grows. Red bells are relying heavily on Mexico, where Culiacán is
producing moderate volume with good quality and better yields ahead. Central Mexico
crossings remain steady but limited, and Florida supply is minimal. Markets will stay firm
short-term.
Tomatoes remain the headline. Southeast supplies are extremely limited after growers
invoked Force Majeure due to crop loss. Domestic production won’t recover until mid
April at the earliest. Mexico is helping cover the gap, but yields are lighter and quality at
pack-out has been mixed. Recent logistics disruptions have stressed the supply chain.
Rounds, romas, and grape tomatoes are all tight. Expect elevated pricing through the next
six weeks, and consider substituting rounds for romas where possible.
Corn took a beating. Bi-color, white, and yellow corn in the Southeast are all impacted. On
the West Coast, bi-color and white are limited, and yellow is extremely tight.
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Fewer Chilean table grapes will be exported to the United States during its peak export window this season, projecting a 10 percent decline from 2025 volumes. Growers are facing an oversupply of grapes in the international market, plus the South Americans are replacing traditional varieties with newer, more productive grapes.
The US accounts for just over half of Chile’s total table grape exports, with estimates of 34.7 million 18-pound boxes to be shipped this season. The Andean country’s Table Grape Committee forecasts global exports of 63.5 million boxes, down 6.6 percent year-on-year.
The Chilean Table Grape Committee reports the 2026 season will be a year of adjustment, consolidating the varietal replacement with new cultivars, which this year will account for 72 percent. Five years ago, only 36 percent of exported table grapes were new varieties.
The imbalance between supply and demand in the US market is contributing to the pullback. Weekly demand has remained steady for years at between 3.5 million and 4 million boxes, while global supply has expanded.
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The California Avocado Commission (CAC) announced its annual early-season crop forecast, projecting 330 million pounds of Golden State-grown fruit.
The estimate includes 310 million pounds of Hass and 20 million pounds of GEM, Lamb Hass, and other avocado varieties.
With continued investment in new plantings and nearly 51,000 productive acres, the commission expects 2026 to be the third consecutive year with a total volume exceeding 300 million pounds.
Some harvesting has already begun, the organization reports, but the peak of promotable volume is expected from April into August.
“Recent rain in California generally was welcomed by growers due to its help with soil and tree health,” said Terry Splane, CAC Vice President of Marketing. “Now there is hope for these sunny days to continue into spring to ensure fruit sizing.”
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Flatbed carriers remained in high demand during the week of March 1-7, with flatbed loads on the DAT One marketplace up 4% and the average spot rate up 4 cents compared to the previous week.
Truckload freight trends from DAT One and DAT iQ
Spot market data for March 1-7, 2026 (Week 10)
Broker-to-carrier 7-day average spot rates for all three equipment segments:
▼ Dry van: $2.36 per mile, down 3 cents week over week
▼ Refrigerated: $2.75 per mile, down 3 cents
▲ Flatbed: $2.70 per mile, up 4 cents and up 18 cents over the last six weeks
The total number of loads posted to the DAT One marketplace settled lower last week, down 4% to 3.3 million. Truck posts fell to 219,869, also down 4%.
Reduced overall capacity, not a surge in freight volumes, continues to drive long-term spot-market pricing trends. With fuel accounting for roughly one-third of truck operating costs, $5 diesel this week could prompt carriers to park their rigs at least temporarily, exacerbating supply-side pressures.
Van: Load posts ease after weather-driven surge
▼ Van loads: 1.31 million, down 8% week over week
▼ Van equipment: 162,354, down 5%
▼ Linehaul rate: $2.00 per mile, down 2 cents
▼ Load-to-truck ratio: 8.1, down from 8.4
Reefer: Produce markets reset as capacity loosens
▼ Reefer loads: 542,704, down 10% week over week
▼ Reefer equipment: 36,498, down 7%
▼ Linehaul rate: $2.38 per mile, down 3 cents
▼ Load-to-truck ratio: 14.9, down from 15.3
Flatbed: Upward trajectory
▲ Flatbed loads: 1.49 million, up 4% week over week
▲ Flatbed equipment: 21,017, up 1%
▲ Linehaul rate: $2.33 per mile, up 4 cents
▲ Load-to-truck ratio: 70.3, up from 68.9
Market analysis from Dean Croke, Industry Analyst, DAT Freight & Analytics
Flatbed demand continued to press higher. At $2.33 per mile, last week’s national average spot linehaul rate for flatbed freight was 29 cents higher year over year and 16 cents higher than Week 10 in 2018, when flatbed equipment was in high demand. Flatbed load posts were nearly 47% higher year over year.
The produce reefer market just hit a reset. For the first time in weeks, the USDA Specialty Crops National Truck Rate Report is showing “Adequate” refrigerated truck availability in all 11 geographic regions. The capacity tightness that defined California, Florida, and South Texas over the past month has fully unwound. Florida outbound continued to a four-week pattern of spot-rate declines, Nogales flipped higher on key lanes, South Texas firmed modestly, and California settled into a holding pattern.
Florida’s weather-damaged crop supply continues to shrink the available reefer load pool faster than capacity can tighten. The Lakeland to Atlanta lane at $1,050–1,250 is remarkably soft but still paying carriers around $100 per load more than a year ago based on DAT 7-day rolling average rates. For context, this lane was $2,100–2,300 just four weeks ago.
Despite declining 8% week over week, dry van load post volumes were 53% higher than the same period last year and nearly double the 10-year average (excluding the pandemic years of 2021 and 2022).
With diesel pushing $5 a gallon, it’s worth noting that, unlike most loads moving under contract, there is no separate fuel surcharge on a spot rate. Carriers and brokers negotiate a single all-in rate per mile, and because spot loads are booked close to the pickup date, that rate is expected to already reflect current diesel prices.
About DAT Freight & Analytics
DAT Freight & Analytics operates DAT One, North America’s largest truckload freight marketplace; DAT iQ, the industry’s leading freight data analytics service; the Convoy Platform automated freight-matching service; Trucker Tools, the leader in load visibility; and Outgo, the financial services platform for truckers. Check out the latest DAT iQ Market Update every Tuesday or on demand: https://www.youtube.com/DATLoadBoards.
Load and truck posts refer to the number of posts on the DAT One marketplace during Week 10 (March 1-7). Load volume refers to the number of loads moved. Rates are aggregated from invoice data submitted to DAT iQ. dat.com
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Orange juice, a daily drink in Brazilian households, not only plays a key role in the country’s citrus economy but also offers significant health benefits.
Beyond its well-known nutritional contribution, research suggests that OJ might positively affect the gut microbiota, playing a key role in preventing metabolic diseases.
The study, conducted by researchers at the Food Research Center (FORC) at the University of São Paulo (USP), analyzed the impact of orange juice on the composition of intestinal bacteria. The investigation was supported by the local citrus industry organization, Fundecitrus.
The research focused on the effect of orange juice from the Pera and Moro varieties in individuals with obesity and insulin resistance. The results showed positive changes in participants’ intestinal microbiota, indicating a beneficial effect on gut bacterial composition.
According to FORC researcher Aline Alves de Santana, obesity is associated with various factors, including an imbalance in the gut microbiota. This variance can promote systemic inflammation and metabolic dysfunction.
“Diet plays a fundamental role in microbiota modulation, and diets rich in fresh foods, such as fruits and vegetables, are beneficial for intestinal health,” she explained.
Furthermore, the research team observed favorable changes in the digestion and metabolism of bioactive compounds present in oranges. These ingredients are linked to reduced inflammatory processes in the body, which could improve metabolic status and overall health.
The findings reinforce the relevance of orange juice not only as a popular beverage and driver of the citrus sector but also as a functional food with the potential to positively impact intestinal and metabolic health.