Posts Tagged “feature”
The Munch’n kiwiberry brand by Freshmax New Zealand of Tauranga is arriving in the U.S. and other export markets.
A New Zealand summer full of sunshine means an early harvest is underway, according to a news release. The Munch’n kiwiberry brand is in its fourth season, with typical harvests in late February to early- to mid-April.
“We have new product launches in multiple markets, and buyers are extremely supportive about the Munch’n kiwiberry brand. This is our third year actively promoting, and we are really thrilled about the commitment of our retail partners,” Tracey Burns, Freshmax export division manager, said in the release.
Munch’n kiwiberries will be available in the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, India and Taiwan.
In modern times California has been the top, undisputed volume king when it comes to the nearly 1.2 million truck load equivalents of fresh fruits and vegetables that is shipped primarily by truck every year in the U.S. A review of USDA statistics for 2017 shows this has not changed.
Here are the Top 10 states when it comes to annual fresh produce shipments: California, Washington, Idaho, Florida, Arizona, Wisconsin, Colorado, Texas, North Carolina and New York.
1. California. While the “left” coast continues more towards socialism and sometimes the politicians are doing out right looney stuff, somehow California agriculture continues, although over the past two decades more agriculture production has moved to Mexico because of lower labor and production costs. Still, no state comes close to California in terms of sheer volume.
Here are some stats that prove it.
*395,575 truck load equvialents
*4.1 million acres of fresh produce and tree nuts.
*$24 billion value.
*2600 produce shippers, wholesalers and businesses.
2. Washington. Led by shipments of apples, potatoes and onions, Washington state is a distant second to California, but easily outdistances other states.
*229,565 truck loads.
*315,917 acres.
*$4 billion value.
*308 produce shippers, wholesalers and businesses.
3. Idaho. Famous Idaho potatoes are the undisputed king here.
*121,763 truck loads.
*376,134 acres.
*$967 million.
*117 shippers, wholesalers and businesses.
4. Florida. The Sunshine state is known for it tomatoes, mixed vegetables, citrus and strawberries. Considering it is virtually dead in summertime for produce shipments, its ranking is impressive.
*118,040 truck loads.
*814,117 acres.
*$3 billion.
*900 shippers, wholesalers and businesses.
5. Arizona. Winter shipments provide a big portion of various lettuces, broccoli, cauliflower and other vegetables, including potatoes and lemons.
*75,575 truck loads.
*165,814 acres.
*$764 million.
*352 shippers, wholesalers and businesses.
6. Wisconsin. The Badger State is led by potato shipments primarily from the central part of the state. This area also is the leading shipper of cranberries in the fall. There’s also some cabbage shipments from Southeastern Wisconsin.
*40,720 truck loads.
*315,917 acres.
*$715 million.
*129 shippers, wholesalers and businesses.
7. Colorado. Barely trailing Wisconsin is Colorado, with its San Luis Valley potato loadings, plus mixed vegetables in the Northeastern part of the state.
*40,530 truck loads.
*89,443 acres.
*$305 million.
*122 shippers, wholesalers and businesses.
8. Texas. The Lone Star state has citrus and mixed vegetable shipments from the Lower Rio Grande Valley. West Texas also has a sizeable production of potatoes from the Hereford area.
*37,395 truck loads.
*$727 million.
*330,487 acres.
758 shippers, wholesalers and businesses.
9. North Carolina. The Tar Heel state easily leads the nation in sweet potato shipments. It also has much smaller volume with mixed vegetables and apples, much of it being in the Western part of the state.
*34,305 truck loads.
*144,000 acres.
$520 million.
114 shippers, wholesalers and businesses.
10. New York. The Empire state grows produce in virtually all geographical areas. Apples are biggest in the Hudson Valley, but also are grown in several other areas across the state. There are mixed vegetables, potatoes and onions in various areas.
*24,943 truck loads.
*230,000 acres.
*$672 million.
*797 shippers, wholesalers and businesses.
Sparta, MICH.— Riveridge Produce Marketing, the largest supplier of fresh Michigan apples, has acquired the sales operation of Jack Brown Produce, increasing their volume to 50 percent of Michigan’s fresh apple crop. With the increase in volume and varietal availability, Riveridge will be the one-stop solution for retail partners on quality Michigan apples year-round.
In addition to consistent year-round product availability, the expanded sales organization will be positioned to service retailers with quality fruit, expanded varietals and pack to order solutions. Both organizations are supported with innovative, forward-thinking growers who have adapted to market needs, which have provided for the fruit in high demand today.
“Both Jack Brown Produce and Riveridge Produce have complimentary grower communities making this union a natural fit,” said John Schaefer, president, Jack Brown Produce. “We each have modern packing facilities and growers invested in the future, utilizing the latest growing techniques and moving forward on the varieties and strains that support today’s consumer preferences.”
The Jack Brown Produce packing operation adds to the seven Michigan facilities packing for Riveridge Produce today. The expanded operation will offer additional pack time during the critical fall time-frame, while providing retailers additional flexibility, and a continuity program on Michigan apples. Sharing data and relationships, the two brands will be an all-encompassing source not just on fruit, but also marketing assets and analysis to help drive buying decisions.
“With two strong, forward-thinking bases of growers, continued investments in new production and a consumer-driven varietal mix, we look to solidify our role as Michigan’s fruit specialists,” said Don Armock, President, Riveridge Produce Marketing, Inc. “This is an opportunity to continue to share knowledge across our grower base and marry producers and customers based on their needs.”
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About Riveridge Produce Marketing
Riveridge Produce Marketing, Inc. is a vertically-integrated apple grower/packer/shipper/marketer headquartered in Sparta, Michigan, a unique growing region in West Michigan due in part to the elevation, proximity to Lake Michigan and ideal soil conditions. The company represents one-half of Michigan’s fresh apple crop and is leading the way in food safety, new orchard technology and innovation in sales and marketing. In 2017, Riveridge expanded into cider with its own facility, Riveridge Cider Co., pressing and bottling fresh apple cider in blends, varietals and seasonal flavors. Additionally, Riveridge markets fresh apples for Sunrise Orchards located in Gays Mills, Wisconsin.
Michigan apples – grossing about $3300 to Dallas.
Russets, which easily lead the spud category in volume, experienced a drop in potato shipments the last six months of 2018.
Although there was small increase in fresh potato sales during this period, the decline in russet volume dragged the overall fresh potato category down in volume.
Potatoes USA of Denver, CO, the nation’s potato marketing and research organization, reports fresh sales were up 1.3 percent, but shipments of russets, which make up two-thirds of the category, dropped 7.3 percent. That resulted to a decline of fresh potato volume of 4.3 percent. Overall fresh sales were $769.3 million, almost $1 million more than sales in the same quarter a year ago.
The average price-per pound of all varieties rose from 64 cents to 68 cents.
Smaller pack sizes saw a small decline in volume (although dollar sales for 1- to 4-pound packs rose 3.8percent), but the industry moved more 8-pound bags and in the bulk category. Eight-pound packs were up 4.6 percent in sales and 0.5 percent in volume. Bulk sales saw a 1.4 perent drop, with a volume increase of 0.8 percent.
According to the report, which uses data from IRI, fresh sales of yellow potatoes, which contribute 11.6 percent of the overall volume of varieties, were up 4.8 percent.
Grocery store food prices are increasing this year, according to projections by the USDA.
The USDA Economic Research Service forecasts the food-at-home consumer price index (CPI) to rise 1 to 2 percent in 2019. Though that’s higher than the 0 to 1 percent uptick estimated for 2018, the increase expected for 2019 would mark the 4th straight year of deflating or lower-than-average inflating retail food prices, the agency noted in its Food Price Outlook 2018-19 report. The gain also would be less than the 20-year historical average of 2.1 percent.
Product categories expected to see price increases this year include dairy products (+3% to +4%), fresh vegetables (+2.5% to +3.5%), fresh fruit (+2% to +3%), cereals and bakery products (+2% to +3%), beef and veal (+1% to +2%), poultry (+1% to +2%), fish and seafood (+0.25% to +1.25%), and sugars and sweets (0% to +1%).
The expected rise in dairy prices for 2019 comes after a flat to 1% decrease estimated for 2018, according to the USDA.
Food prices are on their way up at the grocery store this year, according to projections by the USDA.
The USDA Economic Research Service forecasts the food-at-home consumer price index (CPI) to rise 1% to 2% in 2019. Though that’s higher than the 0% to 1% uptick estimated for 2018, the increase expected for 2019 would mark the fourth straight year of deflating or lower-than-average inflating retail food prices, the agency noted in its Food Price Outlook 2018-19 report. The gain also would be less than the 20-year historical average of 2.1%.
Product categories likely to see price increases this year include dairy products (+3% to +4%), fresh vegetables (+2.5% to +3.5%), fresh fruit (+2% to +3%), cereals and bakery products (+2% to +3%), beef and veal (+1% to +2%), poultry (+1% to +2%), fish and seafood (+0.25% to +1.25%), and sugars and sweets (0% to +1%).
The expected rise in dairy prices for 2019 comes after a flat to 1% decrease estimated for 2018, according to the USDA.
“Milk production is expected to rise at a modest rate of 1.1% in 2018. Dairy exports have strengthened but are expected to be limited for the rest of the year due to recent tariffs imposed by Mexico and China,” the report said. “Domestic demand for most dairy products has been relatively weak in the first half of the year but is expected to recover in the second half of 2018.”
Egg prices — among the most volatile retail food prices due to changes in seasonal demand — are projected to inch up 1% or less in 2019 following an estimated 10% to 11% jump in 2018. The USDA said recent price hikes at the farm and wholesale levels indicate that retail egg prices could continue to rise over the next few months. That contrasts with 2017, when more egg-laying birds and a higher number of eggs per hen eased prices, the agency explained.
Food categories that may experience retail price decreases include fats and oils (-3% to -2%), pork (-0.75% to +0.25%), other meats (-0.25% to +0.75%), processed fruits and vegetables (-1% to 0%), and nonalcoholic beverages (-0.25% to +0.75%).
“In addition to commodity prices, prices for other factors of production may influence retail food prices in 2019,” the USDA said in the report. “Electricity and diesel costs, as well as many other costs associated with food production, transport, and retail sales, are expected to rise, placing upward pressure on prices.”
Meanwhile, the USDA expects food-away-from-home prices — food purchased at restaurants — to grow at a consistent rate this year, rising 2% to 3%, the same increase estimated for 2018.
California asparagus shipments are looking favorable for a launch in March with healthy product predicted and growing demand for organic “grass” despite a decline in acreage.
For example, Greg Paul Produce Sales Inc. of Stockton, CA expects to be shipping its Delta Queen brand from the Central San Joaquin Valley from from mid-March to May. Shipments come from 500 to 1,000 acres.
Produce broker Jacobs, Malcolm & Burtt Inc. of San Ramon, CA reports a normal winter has set the stage for the big, healthy plants.
Cold temperatures kill pests and provide good chilling conditions, which allows asparagus ferns to mature. Timely and generous rainfall in the region this season has been very benefical.
The company’s 4 growers include one organic producer and harvest has been underway for a couple of weeks.
There are 820 acres in Fresno in the Central Valley and in San Joaquin County, which will be shipping at the same time as imports from Mexico and Peru.
Melissa’s/World Variety Produce Inc., Los Angeles, distributes conventional asparagus from May to September and the organic crop from May to July.
Devine Organics of Fresno, CA ships asparagus under the Double D Farms Organics brand, and has been shifting its 72 acres in Coalinga to organic due to increasing demand. Harvest will start in April.
The company is also planning to increase acreage, but hasn’t decided whether it will be in California or on its land in Mexico. It will be able to lower costs with a new irrigation system allowing valves to be turned on and off remotely if there is a leak.
Durst Organic Growers Inc. of Esparto, CA expects a small increase in volume this season because of newer plantings, and the company typically sells about 100,000 cartons a year. Last year the operation began harvesting in early February.
California asparagus acreage fell 60 percent from 2007-17 to 8,300 acres, according to California’s Department of Food and Agriculture. Production fell 41 percent from 2016-17.
Greg Paul Produce Sales Inc. report the No. 1 problem is the cost of labor.
Under a 2016 law, larger employers must now pay overtime to hourly workers after 9.5 hours, a threshold which will fall in subsequent years and eventually include smaller companies. Historically, overtime was paid after 10 hours.
Also this year, the hourly minimum wage rose to $12 for larger businesses; $11 for smaller ones.
Finally, Mexican asparagus growers expanded production this year, growers and industry experts say, and are timing their crops to potentially compete with California growers in a price war growers say they can’t hope to win.
Last year, Greg Paul Sales was getting 57 cents to 71 cents per pound of asparagus — reflective of lower and lower prices discouraging California growers from replanting. The company believes the California asparagus industry is on the very of disappearing altogether.
Over production and poor markets has the California strawberry industry in a quandary following the 2018 season when profits took a big hit. That’s not so bad for truckers hauling the fruit simply because more loads are available.
However, the strawberry growers and shippers were expecting a major reduction in acreage this year, but that apparently hasn’t happened.
During late January strawberry shipments from Ventura County were very light with some quality issues. However, volume is building weekly and quality is expected to improve at the same time. Decent volume is occurring just in time for Valentine’s Day (February 14) shipments.
However, the bigger issue remains over production. California’s acreage report estimates 25,704 acres for 2019, but that is only a 1,722-acre drop, which would be about a 6 percent decrease. California’s acreage dropped by almost 8 percent from 2017 to 2018, but as is the case this year, strawberry production is expected to increase because newer varieties are having greater yields. In 2018, California shipped over 222 million trays of fresh strawberries to the market, which was a 10 percent increase over 2017 despite the 8 percent drop in acreage.
California Giant Berry Farms of Watsonville reports acreage has decreased, but the newer varieties have greater yields, so there is not the same drop in volume.
GEM-Pack Berries of Irvine, CA, likewise doesn’t see a drop in acreage during 2019 resulting in fewer berries to ship. The company points out around of 9 million trays were shipped during some weeks in 2018, which is simply too many berries for the market to absorb.
Colleen Strawberries Inc. of Watsonville, CA, also calls for a further reduction in the California acreage for the strawberries to be profitable. While weather problems could reduce shipments this season, the acreage total is not sustainable without some issue reducing overall volume.
On a positive note, huge volume is typical for Easter and this year Easter is late — April 21st. This should give the season extra time to be producing good volume and quality. California strawberry shipments tend to peak during April and May. Easter is followed by Mother’s Day three weeks later (May 12th), when shipments surge for both occasions.
The berry category in general remains strong for blueberries, blackberries and raspberries — as well as strawberries and continues to rise. Strawberries still remain the favorite with more than 50 percent of the total berry volume, but that number is decreasing.
Ventura County strawberries and vegetables – grossing about $7400 to New York City.
Eagle, Idaho –When the Big Idaho® Potato dropped at midnight in front of the Capitol Building on New Year’s Eve, the Big Idaho® Potato Truck, which was front and center for the “spudtacular” show, officially ended its 2018 tour. And what a year it was! The Truck…
- Traveled 40,000+ miles
- Participated in 68 scheduled events
- Four events had over 300K attendees
- St. Patricks’ Day Parade, Pittsburgh, PA
- Art Car Parade, Dallas, TX
- National Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C.
- Rose Festival, Portland, OR
- 15 events had over 100K attendees, including
- Indianapolis Indy Car Race, Indianapolis, IN
- NASCAR, Bristol, TN
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Hilton Head, SC
- Pegasus Parade, Louisville, KY
- SeaFair Festival, Seattle, WA
- Four events had over 300K attendees
- Donated $12,000 to 21 charities across the country through its “A Big Helping” program
- Was invited to appear at American Idol’s Semi-Finals in Coeur D’Alene, ID
- Generated more than 300 million media impressions
However the biggest news of the year was the unveiling of Big Idaho®Potato 2.0. Weighing in at 4 tons, the fiberglass potato is just as impressive as the original, but with a few subtle differences. The potato is still 28 feet long and 11.5 feet high, but it’s a little trimmer in the middle (10 feet wide), and two tons lighter so it can travel to more places. The original potato, which was only supposed to last one year, became too road worn to travel and now resides in its home state of Idaho.
“The Big Idaho® Potato Truck continues to drive many of our marketing campaigns. It’s the focus of our national television commercials, it helps promote the potato’s impressive nutritional profile and generates hundreds of millions of impressions for the Idaho® potato brand,” explained Frank Muir, President & CEO, Idaho Potato Commission. “Now that we’ve got a new fiberglass potato, there’s no end in sight for the biggest potato on wheels.”
After seven years the Truck’s track record is pretty impressive…
- The average tour length is 6 months
- The Truck has traveled approximately 211,722 miles
- It’s attended events in 651 cities/towns
- 46 events had more than 300,000 people in attendance
- 76 events had more 100,000 people in attendance
- The Truck has traveled through more than 10,000 cities and towns, nationwide and all lower 48 states
- “A Big Helping” has donated $67,000 to 124 charities located across the country
- Millions have taken pictures of the Big Idaho® Potato Truck on their mobile devices
- Every day we receive appearance requests from fans, festivals, and events, all over the country
- Media coverage to date is in the billions!
The 2019 Big Idaho® Potato Truck Tour schedule will be available in early February 2019 atwww.bigidahopotato.com.
About the Idaho Potato Commission
Established in 1937, the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) is a state agency that is responsible for promoting and protecting the famous “Grown in Idaho®” seal, a federally registered trademark that assures consumers they are purchasing genuine, top-quality Idaho® potatoes. Idaho’s growing season of warm days and cool nights, ample mountain-fed irrigation and rich volcanic soil, give Idaho® potatoes their unique texture, taste and dependable performance. These ideal growing conditions are what differentiate Idaho® potatoes from potatoes grown in other states. For more information, visit www.idahopotato.com.
U.S. citrus shipments should be up this season in most growing areas compared to last year, and despite challenges in some areas, growers contend they are shipping some good-quality fruit.
During the late fall in California, the navel orange season got off to a rough start.
The San Joaquin Valley was unusally hot last summer, where most of the state’s oranges are grown. At one point, temperatures topped 100 degrees for more than 30 days straight, which shut down the trees.
As a result, sizing on the fruit, especially the early varieties, was unusually small.
Rainfall around Thanksgiving and in December and early January was helping to improve fruit size. Early this season, citrus growers nationwide had to deal with Southern Hemisphere fruit lingering in the domestic market for longer than usual. There was plenty of questionable quality.
This resulted in October, November and December being sluggish.
But as supplies of imported citrus wound down and domestic movement picked up, markets seemed to be improving. Market improvements finally arrived with the New Year.
Florida’s citrus industry still is recovering from the effects of Hurricane Irma, which hit the state in September 2017, wiping out a large part of the orange and grapefruit crops.
During the 2017-18 season, the state shipped only 45 million 90-box equivalents of oranges, 3.9 million boxes of grapefruit and 750,000 boxes of tangerines.
Hurricane season now is over for Florida growers, but they’re keeping their fingers crossed until March or so, when the threat of freezes should be over.
Up to 95 percent of the Florida’s oranges are grown for processing.
Citrus movement in Texas started off a bit slower than usual this season, mostly because of the large amount of imported fruit remaining the in the distribution pipeline, which slowed shipments. While loadings picked up for Christmas, volume still was behind the previous season.
Still, Texas citrus shipments should be greater this season than last.
Lower Rio Grande Valley citrus, plus Mexican produce crossings – grossing about $4800 to New York City.
Applewood Fresh Growers LLC, located in Sparta, MI, is now shipping Michigan apples.
Although it’s a new company, Applewood Fresh traces its roots to the 1935 founding of Applewood Orchards Inc., of Deerfield, MI.
“Our work is about more than just sales or profit,” Scott Swindeman, Applewood Fresh owner and fourth-generation grower and partner at Applewood Orchards, said a news release. “We take pride in serving as a reliable partner to our growers and customers, providing access to healthy, great-tasting fruit to people across the country and cultivating strong industry relationships along the way.”
Applewood Fresh Growers produce 21 apple varieties across the country year-round. The company’s grower network has more than 11,000 acres, and apple varieties include some managed (licensed) varieties: Kiku, Kanzi, Rave and SweeTango.
Applewood Fresh emphasizes sustainability measures adopted by growers, including advanced irrigation and pest control, eco-friendly packaging and solar/wind power.
“We are thrilled to extend the legacy of a multi-generational company that not only offers delicious, quality apples but also values and prioritizes its relationships throughout the supply chain, from grower to buyer to consumer,” Antonia Mascari, director of marketing at Applewood Fresh, said in the release.
Applewood Fresh announced the new company on Jan. 8, the same day Riveridge Produce Marketing, another Sparta apple grower-shipper-marketer, announced its acquisition of Sparta apple company Jack Brown Produce’s sales operation.