Posts Tagged “feature”
As the world’s largest fresh produce Terminal, the Hunts Point Terminal Produce Market has about 130,000 trucks a year delivering fresh fruits and vegetables to its wholesale distributors.
With nearly $2.5 billion in annual sales, Hunts Point serves as a distribution hub for 20 million people in the New York City metropolitan area that covers about a 50-mile radius. At any one given time there are about 8,000 people on the market, located in the South Bronx. The wholesalers also distribute fresh fruits and vegetables to Canada and as far south as Florida, plus a number of other markets east of the Mississippi River.
The big rigs begin rumbling onto the market when it opens to truck traffic at 9 p.m. on Sundays and closes at 3 p.m. for its daily clean up. The Hunts Point gate fee for big rigs is $20.
Ironically, Hunt Point opened in 1967 primarily as a rail terminal, but now an estimated 75 percent of the produce delivered is by truck, with the balance by piggyback trailers. The majority of that “pig” freight is potatoes, onions and carrots.
Still, it is shipments by truck that allow Hunts Point to operate as efficiently as it does. Yet the volume of produce arriving at the facility continues to increase, and the 48-year-old complex has outgrown its capabilities to handle all the product it needs. As a result, wholesalers on the market own or lease about 1,000 refrigerated trailers for storage purposes. — Bill Martin
(This is the first of a four-part series based upon my visit to Hunt Point on Dec. 4, 2014)
Apple Shipments
With the arrival of the New Year about 113.5 million bushels of U.S.-grown fresh-market apples had yet to ship, 16 percent more than at the same time last year. The amount of apples remaining in storage is also 26 percent higher than the five-year average.
Washington state accounted for 100.4 million bushels of fresh-market apples still in storage, while Michigan had 4.9 million bushels, New York 4.2 million bushels and Pennsylvania 1.3 million bushels.
The holdings of all major apple varieties were up from Jan. 1, 2014 ranging from red delicious to galas, fujis, granny smiths, golden delicious, Pink Lady and Honeycrisp.
Washington apple shipments are amounting to about 2,500 truck load equivalents a week from the Yakima and Wenatchee valleys, with a much smaller volume in pears.
Washington apples/pears – grossing about $4600 to Chicago.
The state also is shipping about 700 truckloads of onions per week from the Columbia Basin and the adjacent Umatilla Basin in Oregon. The same area also is shipping about one-half this volume in potatoes.
Washington/Oregon potatoes and onions – grossing about $3600 to Chicago.
In Michigan, there is adequate equipment from apple haulers, but shortages of trucks for hauling onions.
Michigan apple shipments grossing about $2600 to Atlanta, while onions are paying about $500 less per load.
An early January freeze has hampered harvest and reduced shipments of Southern Georgia greens. Also, here’s an update on Florida citrus shipments.
Georgia Produce Shipments
Greens in Georgia were damaged by freezes the week of January 4th, with temperatures in the Norman Park shipping region hitting the low 20s. By the week of January 11th, shipments had taken a hard hit. One grower/shipper was picking just 2,000 to 4,000 boxes of greens a day, down from the seasonal norm of 8,000 to 10,000. Some operators were affected more than others.
Harvest was taking much longer because instead of picking greens by the bunch, workers were picking leaf by leaf, sorting out undamaged from damaged product. Georgia greens shipments should be back to normal around January 24 – 28.
South Georgia greens and cabbage – grossing about $3000 to New York City.
The cold weather didn’t reach down to Florida, and damage greens there.
Florida Citrus Shipments
Florida orange shipments continue to decline.
On January 12, the USDA forecast midseason and late season orange production declined 5 percent from the December 10th report and fell 2 percent from the previous season.
Grapefruit and tangerine production remained unchanged.
In the newest report, the USDA forecast Florida non-valencia oranges, which include early, midseason, navel and temple varieties, to decline 4 million equivalent cartons to 48 million cartons and valencias to fall 1 million cartons to 55 million cartons.
Navel production remains unchanged at 1.5 million cartons.
On grapefruit, total production is forecast at 15 million cartons and tangerines are forecast at 2.5 million cartons.
Overall, Florida growers are forecast to harvest 121.3 million equivalent cartons of citrus, down from last season’s 124 million cartons and considerably lower than the 169 million carton 2009-13 average.
While about 96 percent of the state’s oranges ship to processed channels, 65 percent of its navels, 63 percent of its tangerines, 40 percent of its grapefruit and about 10 percent of its overall citrus ship fresh.
Florida citrus shipments – grossing about $2300 to Chicago.
Desert vegetable shipments out the Arizona and California deserts continue to be lower than normal, but if you do load any product check the quality of what is being put in the truck.
Supply and quality issues will complicate the remainder of the California and Arizona lettuce deals, and prices should stay high as a result, because of shipping gaps.
You also are paying more for lettuce at the supermarket. Cartons of lettuce at shipping point are more than triple what they were this time last year (now $25.50-28.50 for cartons of film-lined 24-count iceberg).
The shipping gaps are hard to predict because some shippers are harvesting, while others may be in a gap due to when they planted, etc. Gaps also are affecting romaine, head lettuce, etc. at different times.
This problem is expected to last weeks, if not months. For example there are about 12 weeks left for shipping lettuce out of Yuma. It is beginning to look like the shipping gaps, and quality problems will be around until the seasonal shift takes the harvest back to Huron, Santa Maria and Salinas.
If colder than normal weather is prevelant in the coming weeks it could further delay or reduce lettuce volume – and shipments.
Yuma vegetable shipments – grossing about $7200 to New York City.
It’s that time again. Time to look at getting a fresh start on another year. Odd thing is even though many people plan on making some sort of New Year’s resolution few, if any, will follow through with it.
So for 2015 why not go with the flow and start out with a resolution you know you have a good chance of keeping. Let’s set the bar low. I’m tired of always “raising the bar.” Let’s lower it for a change. One thing I’m going to do is get ready for the obvious upcoming “Zombie Apocalypse.” Now that’s a low bar. Who would have thought back in the 60’s that here in the modern 21st century we would be facing a horde of zombies. Now I’m not against all zombies. fter all, I was married to one for several years.
You would think that the TV and movie writers could come up with something better and be more creative these days. Zombies have been around for as long as vampires and werewolves have. They are as old as Godzilla himself. Zombies have been the subject of films and horror shows from about 1918. They are also a part of Haitian Voodoo, and people even believe they exist today. I know one thing for sure. You can’t turn on the TV today without a plethora of zombie shows on all kinds of channels and at all times of the day. I’m expecting those libtards on “The View” to have some zombies on so they can complain about how the average zombie is oppressed by our capitalist society.
After all, zombies have always been exploited by those big Hollywood types. You know the ones I’m referring too. The ones who got hacked at Sony and had their e-mails reveled that showed how much of a racist and bigot they really are. The great 1959 Ed Wood movie Plan 9 from Outer Space had actor Tor Johnson playing the part of a crazed zombie. Tor was always good in those memorable roles. White Zombie, a 1932 film, starred Ed Wood’s favorite actor Bela Lugosi. You may recall that Bela was famous for his role in the 1931 film Dracula.
The 1968 film Night of the Living Dead was perhaps the greatest zombie movie of all time. It crossed a vampire with a zombie and created what is now known as the blood sucking vampire-zombie that we have today. Zombies seem to hang around railroad yards and truck stops a lot. And for some strange reason you can never outrun a zombie. Regardless of how slow they may stumble and drag their feet, their victim always seems to fall and never be able to get up in time. Odd thing how zombies never seem to stumble or fall themselves.
One thing I have always wondered is why you only see zombies roaming about out at night. You would think that if you only had one eye, as many zombies do, that it would be easier to walk about in the daylight.
If I was a zombie I would hang out at fitness clubs. With all that sweating and stuff at fitness clubs people would think that I just had a hard workout. You could sneak up behind your victim when they are on the tread climber with their music playing in their ear and CHOMP! There, you got them.
My dentist told me that several of his patients actually believe in zombies. I guess if you believe that big government is the answer to the problems in your life, then zombies aren’t much of a stretch. On thing I know for sure is that zombies can be blown away with a Smith and Wesson. So if you need a good news years resolution, then getting ready for the zombie apocalypse should be at the top of your list. There are always some good deals on anti zombie guns right after the new year.
Make sure you get a nice large caliber. Something in a 44 or 45 would be nice! See you all at the range.
Larry Oscar is a graduate from the University of Tulsa and holds a degree in electrical engineering. He is retired and lives with his wife on a lake in Oklahoma where he brews his own beer, sails, and is a member of numerous clubs and organizations.
Cherries posted the highest growth in the fruit category, with dollar sales increasing 16.9 percent and volume increasing 36.7 percent, according to United Fresh Produce Association Q3 2014 edition of the FreshFacts on Retail report, which examines overall retail trends in produce. Overall findings show fruit and vegetable volume remaining steady compared to the previous year, while dollar sales increased slightly due to a small increase in average retail price, during the quarter. Produced in partnership with the Nielsen Perishables Group and sponsored by Del Monte Fresh Produce, FreshFacts on Retail measures retail price and sales trends for the top 10 fruit and vegetable commodities, as well as value-added, organic and other produce categories. The Q3 2014 report also features a more detailed look at the berries, citrus and packaged salad categories, as well as produce in the deli. Highlights of Q3 FreshFacts on Retail In addition to cherries posting the highest growth in the fruit category, the report’s other key findings revealed:
- Packaged salad posted the highest growth in the vegetable category, with a 9.1 percent increase in dollar sales and volume increasing 6.8 percent.
- Value-added fruits posted average weekly dollar and volume sales growth of 10.5 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively.
- Average weekly dollar and volume sales for snacking vegetables both increased by double digits compared to Q3 2013.
- Shoppers continued to seek out organic produce, resulting in significant dollar and volume sales increases for organic fruits and vegetables.
The Q3 quarterly FreshFacts report also features a spotlight on consumer demand of value-added convenience produce items. Multiple convenience items experienced double-digit growth, including fresh-cut fruits, mixed melons, snacking vegetables and value-added vegetable side dishes.
The Castellini Group of Cos., a leading distributor of fresh produce based in Cincinnati, recently announced plans to construct a vegetable processing and distribution center in Conley, GA, a suburb of Atlanta.
The location in Georgia strengthens Castellini’s presence in the Southeast, enabling it to reach 80 percent of the U.S. market within a single day by truck. “Our expansion in the Southeast will allow us to better serve current customers and continue our growth strategy by opening up new markets,” Bill Schuler, president and chief executive officer of Castellini, said in a press release.
“By working together with the state of Georgia and Clayton County, we’re able to further grow our business while bringing much-needed jobs and economic growth to the region. We appreciate all the assistance they’ve provided to help make this initiative a reality.”
Castellini offers a full line of fresh produce and value-added services, which include a complete line of organic produce, fresh-cut processing, tomato repacking and transportation, for its retail, foodservice and wholesale customers. Last year Castellini purchased General Produce Co., located on the Atlanta State Farmers market. How General Produce will fit into the scheme of things with the construction of the new facility in Conley, was not addressed in the news release.
More Trucks are Needed for Onion and Potato Shipments.
Storage onion shipments remain sluggish and shippers continue to have difficulty attracting enough trucks.
About 500 to 600 fewer loads had shipped out of the Treasure Valley season-to-date. There are adequate supplies in storage, and it should stay that way until shipments end in April. Treasure Valley includes all the lowland areas from Vale, OR on the west to Boise, ID on the east. Historically, the valley had been known as the Lower Snake River Valley or the Boise River Valley.
Port slowdowns in the Pacific Northwest are one reason for the slower movement. Washington state onions that normally would have been exported have had to fight Treasure Valley product for a share of the domestic market. Also lack of trucks have been giving shippers headaches this season. Trucks have been tight, and with an uptick in the economy, trains have been busier hauling coal, oil and other products. Some shippers are bemoaning rail service in the area, which isn’t as good as it used to be.
Idaho/Oregon onions – grossing anywhere from $3400 to $4400 to Chicago depending on truck availability.
Red River Valley Potato Shipments
Despite transportation challenges, Red River Valley shippers shipped about nine percent more potatoes than they did in the first half of last season. Shipments the second half of the season will likely also exceed last year. Storage issues plagued last year’s crop, especially late in the season. This year’s storage crop appears to be in very good shape.
It is not uncommon for potato shippers waiting up to four days to obtain a truck.
Grand Forks, ND red potatoes – grossing about $3900 to Atlanta.
Increased loading opportunities are taking place for Florida strawberries from the Plant City area, while arrivals of Chilean imported stone fruit are occurring on both coasts of the United States.
Florida strawberry shipments got off to a show start this season but good volume finally arrived the week of December 22nd. While volume in late December and early January was high, produce haulers should expect a significant slowing of shipments to begin in mid-January. Volume for Florida strawberry shipments could be off for a couple of weeks before picking back up towards the end of January. Heading into Valentine’s Day (February 14th), truckers should expect bigger volume.
Florida strawberries, vegetables and tomatoes – grossing about $2800 to New York City.
Chilean Fruit
Importers of Chilean stone fruit expect a strong rebound from last season’s freeze-damaged crops. Break bulk shipments of Chilean peaches, nectarines and plums began arriving early the week of December 29th at the Port of Long Beach.
Shipments were running seven days ahead of last year. Volumes this season should be at least in line with the 5-year average but much higher than last season, when fruit was hard hit by freezes.
Philadelphia received its first shipments for Chilean peaches, nectarines and plums the weekend of Jan. 3rd. Early varieties of Chilean peaches would start arriving at East Coast ports this week, with nectarine volumes following in early February and plum volumes in mid-February.
Southern California avocados hit by snow, while table grape shipments are just about finished.
California produce shipments
Sunny Southern California was more like a winter wonder land New Year’s Eve when a snowstorm dumped up to 6 inches on parts of Riverside County and caused damage to avocado orchards.
Damage assessments should be available very soon. Just when you think you’ve seen everything, it snows in Temecula, CA! About half of an estimated 330-million pound crop is shipped from the state’s southern growing regions of Riverside and San Diego counties. To the north, Ventura County got some low temperatures Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 but fruit loss was expected to be minimal.
Avocado tree branches were down, although there is hope the fruit on the tree would still be harvestable. Damage from the weight of the snow doesn’t necessarily mean freeze damage.
Grape Shipments
Meanwhile, California table grape shippers have completed harvests, with what appears to be the second largest crop on record, despite the drought. It is estimated there will be 105.9 million 19-pound boxes shipped, which would be short of last year’s 116.3-million-box haul, but exceeding the 101.3 million packages turned out in 2012. Grape shipments could finish this week for the season.
In the meantime, California desert vegetable shipments are unpredictable as ever with shipping gaps occurring due to past freezing weather.
Imperial Valley/Yuma vegetables – grossing about $3000 to Seattle.
Southern California avocados, berries and celery – grossing about $5000 to Atlanta.