Posts Tagged “feature”
Chicago — After record-breaking production last year, apple growers expect another high-performing year, according to a new report released by the U.S. Apple Association (USApple) at the organization’s 129th annual Outlook Conference in Chicago.
USApple’s Industry Outlook 2024* provides the most up-to-date data and analysis on U.S. and global apple production, utilization and trade. Authored by USApple Vice President of Insights and Analytics, Chris Gerlach, the report takes an in-depth look at the trends and forces – from political headwinds to weather events – that shape the U.S. apple industry.
*The Outlook Report is based on recently released United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates. After the presentation of those numbers, USApple members met in-person to discuss current growing conditions to formulate a more up-to-date production estimate. The final USApple 2024/25 crop year forecast is an adjustment of the USDA numbers based on those conversations.
U.S. Production
According to USApple’s analysis, total U.S. apple production for the 2024/25 crop year (CY) will be 259,517,252 bushels. This represents a 10.1% decrease compared to last year’s final production figure.
“Growers from across the U.S. are reporting the crop quality is excellent,” said Gerlach.
These figures are more comprehensive than USDA data, which only look at the top seven apple-producing states. USApple analyzes the production from states outside of the top seven and adds that back into USDA’s figure. It also incorporates feedback from growers based on what they’re seeing in the field every day.
At the varietal level, Gala is expected to retain the top spot with more than 48 million bushels produced, accounting for around 17% of the U.S. apple market. After Gala, rounding out the top five are Red Delicious (12.3%), Granny Smith (10%), Honeycrisp (9.8%) and Fuji (9.4%).
In general, the varieties on the rise include Honeycrisp, Pink Lady/Cripps Pink and Cosmic Crisp®. Fuji, Rome and “other” varieties have remained relatively consistent compared to 2019/20 production volumes. Varieties on the decline include Gala and Red Delicious.
According to USDA trade data, fresh apple exports totaled 46.4 million bushels in the 2023/24 CY (July to June). This is around 14 million bushels higher than 2022/23 export levels – an astonishing 44% year-over-year increase.
During the same period, fresh apple imports dropped by around one million bushels, a 15% decline. The joint effects of increasing exports and decreasing imports caused the already net positive fresh apple trade balance to grow to more than 42 million bushels.
The surge in fresh apple exports is largely attributed to the abundant domestic supply, competitive pricing abroad, and favorable positive trade policies.
Shipping company A.P. Moller-Maersk is investing heavily in fleet renewal and plans to acquire up to 50-60 vessels capable of operating on dual fuel types, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) and methanol.
LNG is natural gas that has been reduced to liquid state, through process of cooling. Since 2010, the number of vessels fueled by the natural gas has grown between 20% and 40% yearly, according to SEA-LNG.
According to Maerks, the new fleets will be a mix of owned and chartered, in order to ensure that the company maintains a “strong financial and operational flexibility while continuing to own a significant part of its strategic tonnage.”
In line with Maersk’s commitment to decarbonization, all vessels will be dual-fuel with the intent to operate on low emission fuel.
The exact split of propulsion technologies will be determined considering the future regulatory framework and green fuels supply and approximately 300,000 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) will be owned capacity and the remaining 500,000 TEU is planned through time-charter agreements.
Both owned and chartered dual-fuel vessels will equal to 800,000 TEU.
According to Rabab Boulos, Chief Operating Officer at Maersk, the choice to expand can be attributed to shipyard orderbooks filling up quickly and lead time for vessel deliveries increasing significantly.
Morris, MN– Fresha, a premier supplier of top-quality carrots has announced the beginning of the Minnesota carrot season. With an early start to planting, favorable weather conditions have set the stage for an exceptional shipments this year.
“We are thrilled with how this season is unfolding,” says Matthew Wulf, VP of Sales and Marketing at Fresha. “Our early planting has given the carrots a head start, and the combination of good moisture and recent heat has been perfect for sizing up the crops. The quality of the carrots looks outstanding.”
The favorable weather conditions have contributed to an expected yield that is slightly above average. In addition to a promising start to the season, Fresha has expanded its acreage for both conventional and organic carrots from 2023 to 2024. By increasing carrot cultivation, Fresha aims to provide consumers with more options and ensure a consistent supply of fresh, locally grown carrots throughout the season.
“We are also working closely with retailers to promote Minnesota Grown carrots,” Wulf adds. “Our goal is to highlight the exceptional quality and freshness of our local produce, and we’re looking forward to the opportunities to showcase the best of what Minnesota has to offer.”
For more information about Minnesota grown carrots or to contact a sales representative, please check out www.freshaproduce.com.
About Fresha
Fresha, a leading producer of premium carrots, takes pride in delivering farm-fresh, quality produce to households nationwide. Established in 2019, Fresha operates as an employee and grower-owned company, vertically integrated for seamless quality control.
By Nick Mihalopoulos Controller ALC Finance
It was 1984, and Tina Turner had just released her smash hit, “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” At this time, the U.S. was also exiting a period now known as The Great Inflation. During this period from the mid-60s to the early 80s, inflation peaked at more than 14% in 1980. The Vietnam War, increased government spending on social programs, and energy shortages all contributed to the Great Inflation. Now, fast forward 40 years to 2024, and we are exiting another period of high inflation, which peaked at 9.1% in June 2022 and is now down to 2.9% as of July 2024.
Equity markets are celebrating inflation being back down below 3%, but consumers still haven’t been able to find relief. This is in large part due to the fact that prices of essential items, such as those found in grocery stores, have increased by 20% over the last four years. So, what’s transportation got to do with this 20% increase? According to the Cass Truckload Linehaul Index, truckload transportation rates have increased by 5.9% over the last four years and have decreased by 23% from their peak in May 2022. Since transportation doesn’t queue up Tina Turner’s hit song, we’ll need to look at other costs. For example, the average grocery store hourly wages over the last four years have increased by 26.5% from $16.98/hr to $21.48/hr. This outpaces the 19.4% wage increase of all employees during this time period.
Given this data, the current prices of grocery store items and other goods are here to stay. The positive in this data is that wage growth has kept up with these price increases, but like in any economy, workers in some sectors have seen higher increases than others. Inflation and grocery store prices have become major headlines as we near the November election. Both parties are making their case to the American people as to how their platform will better benefit the economy and stave off future inflationary periods. And if 1984 happens to be on the minds of party leaders, let’s hope they’re listening to Tina Turner and not reading George Orwell.
*****
Nick Mihalopoulos began his career with the Allen Lund Company in 2011 after previously working at PepsiCo. Mihalopoulos is a graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where he earned a dual degree in Finance and Accountancy.
nick.mihalopoulos@allenlund.com
Folsom, CA — Food plays a big role in everyone’s identity, and those born between 1997-2012, commonly known as Gen Z, have been deemed the “foodie generation.”
Gen Z is driven to a particular food by varied factors, but data suggests foods that support health and well-being by providing energy, managing weight, and fostering mental health are priorities.1,2 Yet when it comes to choosing foods that support these needs, Gen Z, along with millennials and beyond, often overlook a convenient and important food group – tree nuts, including walnuts.
Nuts, including walnuts, are nutrient dense and considered a key component of many recommended dietary patterns, including the Mediterranean and vegetarian diets. They are also recommended for daily consumption in the latest U.S. Dietary Guidelines.3
Despite the recommendations, nuts remain under-consumed by the U.S. population,3 perhaps due to nuts being calorie dense, leading to potential concerns that including nuts in the diet could promote weight gain. But new research suggests people, especially Gen Z and millennials, should reconsider nuts, like walnuts.
In a recent observational study from Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington and funded by the California Walnut Commission, researchers observed that adolescents and young adults who consumed walnuts and other nuts had a lower prevalence for obesity when compared with those who consumed no nuts.4
Researchers analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) which included more than 19,000 adolescents (12 – 19 years old) and young adults (20 – 39 years old) to understand the associations between consumption of walnuts and other nuts with measures of obesity including relative fat mass (RFM), a validated tool for estimating body fat percent and regional fat composition.
In particular, young women consuming only walnuts had a significantly lower prevalence of obesity when compared to non-nut consumers. However, this association was not found among young men, adolescent boys, or adolescent girls who consumed walnuts only.
Researchers also observed that adolescent girls and young women who consumed walnuts only, or other nuts, had a significantly lower RFM compared to non-nuts consumers. Only young males in the walnut and other nut groups showed an inverse association with RFM compared to no nuts group, this was not found in adolescent boys.4
These results are promising suggesting that there may be an association between the consumption of nuts, especially walnuts with a lower prevalence of obesity and lower RFM within certain populations. However, cause and effect could not be determined, and additional research is needed to support these results.
Additionally, the average nut consumption in this population group was low with 76% of adolescents and 69% of young adults reporting no daily nut consumption. Furthermore, when walnuts were consumed, adolescents only ate ~ 2g/day while young adults had ~ 4g/day, which is far below the recommended intake for nuts of 2 – 3 ounces (56 – 85g) per week or 1 to 1.5 ounces (30g) per day, respectively.3
“While additional research is needed, these results showed that food should not be judged based on calories alone. The addition of nuts, like walnuts, as a part of a healthy eating pattern may help lower the risk of obesity,” explains Dr. Carla Miller, PhD, RD, Professor of Nutrition at Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington. “Whether it is a handful as a snack or part of a meal, even in small amounts, nuts, including walnuts, can and should be a part of a nutritious diet to support well-being.”
Beyond Weight Management: Walnuts May Support Overall Physical and Mental Well-Being in Gen Z & Millennials
Teens and young adults crave food that supports both their physical health and mental health, with over 30% seeking emotional and mental health benefits.1 Research suggests that daily walnut consumption could potentially support cognitive health and mental well-being in this unique population.
- Daily Walnut Consumption May Support Teens’ Focus and Attention – In a multi-school randomized controlled trial of 771 healthy teenagers ages 11 to 16, participants who consumed 30 grams of walnuts per day (1 ounce or 1 handful) for six months had improved neuropsychological scores for attention, fluid intelligence (i.e. problem solving, quick reasoning skills) and ADHD symptoms, when compared to the group not eating walnuts.6,* The positive results in this study were only seen in those teenagers who could better comply with eating more than 3 servings of walnuts per week. Only less than half of participants in the intervention group adhered to eating walnuts daily for 6 months, which might have impacted the data accuracy. No significant results were found for the primary outcomes of this study regarding neuropsychological function, indicating that the intervention did not work overall. However, this study does provide valuable insights and a basis for further clinical and epidemiological research on the effect of walnuts on brain development in adolescents.
- Walnuts May Improve Mental Health and General Well-Being in University Students — A novel study of 80 healthy university students ages 18 to 35, who ate 2 ounces of walnuts a day for 16 weeks, compared to those who did not eat walnuts, prevented negative changes in self-reported mental health scores and scores of stress and depression during a stressful academic period. The group that ate walnuts experienced an increase in metabolic markers that protect against stress and a decrease in those that are linked with stress. While inconclusive, researchers found that the group who consumed walnuts also saw an improvement in sleep scores related to getting to sleep, sleep quality, awakening from sleep, and behavior following wakefulness by the end of the study period. 7,*
- Snacking on Walnuts May Improve Metabolic Health in Young Adults — In a recent study of 84 young adults, ages 22 to 36, with at least one metabolic syndrome risk factor, researchers found that snacking on 1 ounce of mixed unsalted tree nuts, including walnuts, twice daily, may improve metabolic health, when compared to carbohydrate-rich snacks. Researchers observed a reduction in waist circumference and lipid biomarkers in female participants who consumed tree nut snacks, when compared to those who consumed carbohydrate-rich snacks. Males who consumed tree nut snacks had decreased blood insulin levels, compared to those who consumed carbohydrate-rich snacks. Both males and females consuming tree nut snacks saw an effect on triglycerides and TG/HDL ratios with TG/HDL ratios reduced ~11% compared to those consuming carbohydrate-rich snacks.8,*
These studies are not without limitations. While the findings cannot prove causality, they do shed light on how nuts, including walnuts, can be a part of a healthy diet that supports metabolic health and well-being. Additional research is needed to determine how these results apply to other populations.
Zespri has released its first full forecast for the 2024-25 kiwifruit season, with forecast per hectare returns up from last season for all categories, according to a news release.
The report predicts record levels for green and organic green.
With a total crop of more than 190 million trays to sell, Zespri was focused on finishing the second half of the season strongly, said Ted Brake . CEO of Zespri.
Zespri is headquartered in Auckland, New Zeland with its North American offices in Newport Beach, CA.
Brake said the latest forecast reflects both the strong season start and the competition seen more recently in markets, including from summer fruit.
“The industry put a lot of work into getting off to a really strong start to the season to meet early season demand and that’s set us up well in a year where we have a lot more fruit to sell,” Brake said in the release. “Although strong competition is always challenging around this time of the year, we’re already seeing signs that this fruit is moving off shelves and we expect this trend to continue over the next few weeks. The fact we’re on track for a strong lift in per hectare returns across all varieties this season, and record returns for green and organic green growers, is a testament to the hard work the industry has put in following a really challenging period.”
Increasing competition reinforced the importance of Zespri’s global supply strategy, set up by growers more than 20 years ago, Te Brake said. The strategy involves Zespri working with offshore growers in Italy, France, Japan, Korea and Greece to provide kiwifruit for 12 months of the year, allowing Zespri to have counter-seasonal supply in place to complement the New Zealand season and drive value for New Zealand growers, he said.
With the maximum 5,000 hectares of offshore SunGold plantings now allocated and the gap between supply and demand growing, the industry is discussing the potential expansion of its Zespri’s global supply program to protect value for the industry, the release said.
“The next stage of these conversations over the coming months will look at what a potential expansion of our [Zespri global supply] program might look like, as we make a decision as an industry on how ZGS can continue to deliver value for our industry,” Te Brake said.
Zespri says it is now seeking industry feedback on potentially expanding the current 5,000-hectare cap by up to 420 additional hectares of SunGold kiwifruit per year over six years across Italy, France, Japan, South Korea and Greece. Depending on the nature of those conversations over the next few months, Zespri may consider formally seeking grower support for expanding the Zespri global supply program via a producer vote, which would require 75% support to proceed, the release said.
As the harvest soon gets underway, the Louisiana Sweet Potato Commission reports the crop is shaping up very well.
The commission, which is part of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture notes some growers are expecting some of their best yields for this season thanks in large part of good growing weather. If this optimism holds this year will be much better than a year ago with Mother Nature was not nearly as cooperative.
At Matthews Ridgeview Farms in Wynne, AR this season’s crop is shaping up to be similar to last year’s thanks to good growing conditions in the state. Milder Arkansas weather, combined with an increase in sweet potato acreage has the company optimistic.
Garber Farms Lota, LA reports near perfect weather for their growing season giving high hopes of filling up their storage bins, unlike a year ago when there was extreme drought.
Markon First Crop (MFC) Asian-Cut Broccoli Crowns from the Salinas, California and Central Mexico growing regions are currently not available; Markon Best Available and packer label supplies will be substituted temporarily.
Salinas Valley broccoli crops are experiencing an uptick in insect activity:
- Diamondback moth larvae are feeding on outer leaves and crowns before pupating and emerging as adult moths
- While common to see increased insect activity in the late summer/early fall, an extended period of above-average temperatures created ideal conditions that growers have struggled to keep in check
- Although harvesting and processing crews for commodity and value-added broccoli packs are working to cull any product that shows signs of insects/insect damage, they are often difficult to detect and can’t be avoided completely
Mexican grown supplies are exhibiting similar defects from elevated insect pressure, with obvious evidence of insect damage in most packs.
Very thorough inspection and washing of commodity broccoli are highly recommended at the end-user level for the next two to three weeks.
Peruvian agricultural exportsto the U.S. during the second quarter of 2024, hit $425 million, which was an impressive 17 percent more than the same period last year, according to Agraria.
Among the highest performers of Peruvian products were avocados, with just over 20 percent volume; followed by mandarins, with 12 percent; and asparagus, with 11.8 percent.
Avocado shipments accounted for 44,791 tons at $96 million, which was 11 percent more in volume and 35 percent more value than the second quarter of 2023. The price was higher by 21 percent, getting to $2.15 per kilogram.
As for mandarins, they increased with a total of 38,547 tons for $52 million. Compared to 2023, this was 16 percent more in volume and 31 percent more value. Similarly, the average product price was 13 percent higher, selling at $1.34 kilogram.
Finally, asparagus added 15,975 tons for a value of $51 million, which meant an 8 percent drop in volume and 13 percent in value. The price had a 5 percent drop, at $3.17 per kilogram.
Despite an early frost in August in Pennsylvania and New York, Eastern apple shippers say the fruit came through relatively unscathed are optimistic for the new season.
Hess Bros. Fruit Co, of Lancaster, PA like the way the crop is shaping up and expects it to be similar to last year.
Niagara Fresh Fruit Co., in Burt, N.Y., which is near Buffalo, N.Y., reports the crop in western New York should be much better than the 2023 crop when a late freeze hit the fruit already set and affected the finish of the final crop.
The company is expecting an average crop. Western New York experienced a good amount of rain, which will help with both fruit size and crop size.
The New York Apple Association of Fishers, NY, notes the warm temperatures are resulting in harvest around the state being about six or seven days ahead of normal. The state’s growers will produce about 32,500 to 32,700 bushels of apples this year, which is about 2.5 million more bushels than last year.
New York apple growers grow about 32 varieties commercially and start the season in mid-August with ginger gold, paula red, jonamac, zestar and then followed by mcintosh, gala, honeycrisp, cortland, macoun, empire and red delicious. Club varieties SweeTango, SnapDragon RubyFrost and EverCrisp join Rome, braeburn and fuji are later in the harvest season, which ends in November.
Rice Fruit Co. of Gardners, PA reports harvest began in August for Wildfire gala, honeycrisp and ginger gold in the Keystone State.