Posts Tagged “feature”
About 91 million bushels of fresh-market U.S. apples were in storage on Jan. 1. That is one percent more than last year at the same time. The January total also is eight percent higher than the five-year average for remaining apple shipments.
The nation’s biggest shipper, Washington state, accounted for about 76 million bushels of the total.
Michigan still had about 6.5 million bushels in storage and has been setting weekly volume shipping records. The estimate for total Michign apple shipments this season still remains at 30 million bushels.
New York apple shipments have 5.4 million bushels and Pennsylvania apple shipments 1.3 million bushels of apples remaining to be hauled.
January apples remaining in storage are up over last year despite holdings for several leading varieties being lower.
About 28.6 million bushels of red delicious were in storage, down from 31 million bushels last year. Fuji holdings fell from 14.9 million to 9.7 million bushels, golden delicious from 9.9 million to 8.7 million bushels and cripps pink from 2.9 million to 2.8 million bushels.
Gala holdings increased from 15.1 million to 15.6 million bushels and granny smith holdings from 9.2 million to 11.4 million bushels.
Much higher volumes of mcintoshes, empires and other traditionally Midwestern and Eastern varieties had yet to be shipped as of Jan. 1 compared to last year at the same time, as Michigan, New York and other states east of the Mississippi continue to bounce back from devastating 2012 freezes.
Washington state apples grossing – about $4600 to Clevelnd.
Michigan apples – about $2200 to Atlanta.
New York state apples – about $1900 to Orlando.
Florida produce shipments have been even slower than normal for winter, primarily due to a prolonged cold weather period that also included some freeze damage.
South Florida growers are recovering from late January freezes that have cut shipments of sweet corn and green beans. In freezes that struck Jan. 19-24, temperatures dropped to the mid-20s in Palm Beach County, the major growing region for beans and corn and hit 31 degrees in Immokalee.
Freezing temperatures also hit central Florida’s strawberry growing region located just West of Tampa. South Bay, Fla.-based Hugh H. Branch Inc., reportedly lost up to 700 acres of winter corn.
The freeze struck the Pahokee, Fla.-area next to Lake Okeechobee. Florida corn loads in other growing regions were not hurt by the cold, including Indiantown and Homestead Homestead ships most of Florida’s winter production.
Florida vegetable shipments are anything bu heavy this time of the year, but what production there is has faced tremendous reductions in yield — well below 50 to 60 percent.
Beans in the south Florida are of Immokalee were hit by the freeze,but are not showing significant damage, with a few exceptions. However, iIt will just lessen the yields and shipments, which are down 30 percent.
It’s recommended you take a closer look than normal at what is being loading into your truck.
Central and South Florida vegetables – grossing about $2500 to New York City.
F
rom California strawberry shipments to Maine potato loadings, here is a round up of several areas across the nation shipping fresh produce.
Strawberry volume from California’s Ventura County has picked up, but won’t be peaking until spring. Mexican strawberries from Baja California are also being loaded at San Diego packing sheds. Both areas will be shipping strawberries through June.
A heads up, if you haul Huron district head lettuce and romaine out of the San Joaquin Valley in the spring and fall. Due to water rationing, at least one major shipper will not ship this spring, and other major shipper is significantly cutting back acreage. There are some plans to attempt extending the Imperial Valley and Yuma district lettuce loadings in a attempt to make up the difference.
Southern California berries and citrus, grossing about $6500 to New York City.
Red River Valley potatoes in North Dakota and Minnesota is reporting steady shipments of red potatoes, averaging around 375 truck loads per week.
Red River Valley potatoes – grossing about $1900 to Chicago.
Upstate New York apple loads are totalling about 250 truck loads weekly, while New York onion shipments are hitting around 200 loads each week.
Aroostrock County potato shipments in Maine are averaging about less than 200 truck loads weekly.
Maine potatoes – grossing about $1750 to New York City.
Chilean grapes have replaced season ending California grapes within the past week. Arrivals by boat are occurring at ports on both the East and West coasts. March and April are expected to provide the heaviest loading opportunities.
In recent years there has been increased interest by shippers in using the rails to deliver fresh produce, in part spurred by the increasing costs of trucking.
This is nothing new since various types of rail service, whether using refrigerated rail cars or piggy trailers, has been tried since at least the 1970s. But after a long lull, some new services have been introduced. We’ll get more specific on these in a future feature story. For the time being, here are some observations by veteran individuals whose focus is on transporting fresh fruit and vegetables by truck, and their take on the efforts to increase rail service.
Kenny Lund, vice president of the Allen Lund Co. of LaCanada, CA notes rails only account for one to two percent of the fresh produce being shipped. There are only so many tracks and it would take billions of dollars worth of equipment to increase produce volume rail to say, four to eight percent.
“Refrigerated rail is increasing,” Lund notes. “They are doing more with wine, dairy and more temperature controlled products. But we don’t see a massive shift to rail and don’t see a pathway to do that.”
Fred Plotsky is president of Cool Runnings LLC of Kenosha, WI. He says new services such Rail Logisitics Cold Train, a rail operation based in Overland Park, KS, bases its freight rates on truck rates.
“The rails understand the market and they are taking advantage of it. Cold Train….will set a rate of say $3600 when the truck rate (to the same destination) is $4000,” Plotsky observes. Then when the truck rates increase to $4500 or $4600 Cold Train will increase its rates accordingly.
“Their service (Cold Train) is good and you can load them Monday for delivery Friday 0ut of Washington or California to Chicago,” he says.
However, Plosky adds if a shipper has a mixed load of produce spread out over 100 miles with three pick ups you are not going to use that rail service. Now if the rail service involved is a straight load or two pick ups in the same town, that is feasible.
At Des Moines Truck Brokers in Norwalk, IA, President Jimmy DeMatteis says they have working relationships with companies using the railroads.
“But there have been problems with claims. With some loads the rails don’t want to take responsibility for it. There’s not enough rail equipment yet and the rail infrastructure is poor. But the rails are making inroads,” DeMatteis says.
Lund at Allen Lund Co. adds, “The rails don’t like produce and they don’t like the claims that come with it. They won’t go out of their way for produce like they will wine and other temperature controlled items. What the rails like is consistency. Produce is opposite of consistency, because growing regions change, and demand changes. The rails build their world around schedules. The rails and trucking are major competitors, and the rails don’t want to do anything to help trucking.”
Doug Stoiber is with Raleigh, NC-based L&M Transportation Services. The company vice president had expected a “greater impact” from rail related companies such as Railex LLC of Rotterdam, NY, that partners with the Union Pacific Railroad and CSX Transportation.
“Railex is successful and they are growing and they are encouraging some competition. I’m surprised they haven’t taken more truck loads of freight off the highways than they have,” Stoiber states.
He notes 98 percent of all consumer goods are delivered by truck and about 95 percent of produce is handled by truck. Stoiber says while the rails can take a lot of long haul produce off the highways, instead of “eliminating” transportation, it tends to “re-arrange” the movement of product.
“You still have to pay (a truck) for that first mile and the last mile, because the rails can’t deliver to the store doors or distribution centers, at least not yet. The cost comparatively for that first mile and that last mile is a lot higher than if it is delivered from shipping point to destination on a truck,” Stoiber says.
Carrier Transicold of Syracuse, NY is introducing transport refrigeration control software.
The company is announcing its new trademarked TRU-Tech and TRU-View applications that are easier to custom configuration for transport refrigeration unit (TRU) settings and operations. Successors to Carrier Transicold’s trademarked ReeferManager software, the programs feature simplified interfaces with icons and quick links for faster and easier navigation, according to a news release.
The refrigeration data management software includes the ability to set operational parameters and conduct diagnostic functions. TRU-Tech comes with TRU-View refrigeration data analysis software which provides system performance information and is also available as a standalone application for data analysis without the unit set-up and diagnostic capabilities of TRU-Tech.
The TRU-Tech software can also be used by technicians to monitor system parameters which include sensor inputs and other vital data that may be downloaded for tracking, performance evaluation, recordkeeping or analytics. The TRU-View component can generate graphic reports, showing specific TRU system performance and data can be exported into spreadsheets or PDFs for easy sharing, according to the release. Carrier Transicold manufactures refrigeration units for trucks, trailers and containers.
A Chilean port strike should not significantly affect Chilean grape shipments to North American ports such as Philadephia, Wilimington, NC and Long Beach, CA. However other imported Chilean produce items imported to the U.S. could feel the brunt of the strike more than grapes.
Workers seeking retroactive pay for half-hour lunch breaks began striking January 3 at Chile’s Port of San Antonio.
The port strike appartently is not affecting table grapes loaded in bulk reefers. However, containerized fruit loading at San Antonio and other container ports are being affected.
Strike or no strike, Chilean stone fruit shipments to the U.S. will likely be significantly lower this season. As of mid-January, estimates projected industry-wide losses of 64 percent for Chilean peaches, 59 percent for nectarines and 63 percent for plums.
Depending upon worldwide markets, fruit slated for other countries, could wind up in the U.S. instead. It is a 12-day voyage from Chile to the U.S. East Coast.
Depending on the variety, Chilean stone fruit losses will likely be in the 45-65 percent range this season. Losses were heaviest early in the deal, meaning volume should increase later in the season. While Chilean nectarine and plum import arrivals may pick up later in the season, peaches are more “ify.”
Losses as of January 13 were in the 30-60 percent range, depending on the commodity.
Florida citrus shipments continue to decline, with a disease known as citrus greening being the primary culprit, according the the latest USDA forecast. The shipping estimate shows continuing declines in Florida citrus production, which includes grapefruit as well as oranges and tangerines.
In a Jan. 10 report, the USDA predicts the state’s loadings of oranges, grapefruit and tangerines will decline from one to six percent. All orange volume is now estimated at 115 million equivalent-cartons, down five percent from the December forecast and 14 percent less than last season.
Valencia shipments are off six percent non-valencia oranges — which include early and mid-seasons — declined four percent, with navels decreasing by 200,000 cartons to 1.9 million boxes.
White grapefruit loads dropped one percent from the previous month’s estimate to 4.5 million cartons with the larger-produced color grapefruit unchanged.
For tangerines, loadings dropped six percent with early season fallglo and sunburst tangerines accounting for the 200,000 carton decline. Honey tangerines are seen as remaining unchanged at 1.6 million cartons. Tangelo production remains at 1 million cartons.
Citrus greening has been described by one ag official as “an unprecedented situation dealing with this disease and today’s crop estimate only emphasizes how important it is for research to uncover a solution.”
Though a majority of the state’s oranges ship to processed channels, nearly 70 percent of its navels, about half of its grapefruit and two-thirds of its tangerines ship fresh.
Though a majority of the state’s oranges ship to processed channels, nearly 70 percent of its navels, about half of its grapefruit and two-thirds of its tangerines ship fresh.
Florida citrus, vegetables and strawberries – grossing about $2800 to New York City.
As one of the leading volume spud states, Wisconsin potato shipments have been flying out storages this season, at times nearly 20 percent greater than at the same time a year ago.
20 years ago there were probably 15 or 20 major potato shippers in Wisconsin, but now it’s down to only four – Okray, Alsum, RPE and Bushmans. Loadings should continue through June and into July.
Most Wisconsin packing sheds will finish in April or May, but the big packinghouses have advanced in technology and they ship the year around, because they source potatoes grown outside of Wisconsin.
Wisconsin yields of the crop harvested in 2013 were a little lower than the 2012 crop. But recent shipments have been around18 percent higher than the same period in 2012.
Wisconsin had 63,000 acres of potatoes in 2013, down about 500 acres from 2012.
The early harvest of the new crop of potatoes usually begins in late July, with around 80 to 90 percent of the crop being dug in September, with harvest running into the first two weeks of October.
Wisconsin historically has shipped mostly russet potatoes, but over the decade or so have started growing red potatoes, yellow potatoes and several special items such as purple potatoes.
Central Wisconsin potatoes – grossing about $1,000 to Chicago; $3200 t0 New York City.
By Total Quality Logistics
NASHVILLE—Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty along with Total Quality Logistics (TQL) officials announced the transportation services company will begin operations in Davidson County. The company will open a sales office to meet the needs of its expanding client-base in the Basin Alley Building located at 105 Broadway in downtown Nashville. This expansion represents an investment of $1 million and the creation of 105 new jobs.
With the opening of its Nashville office, TQL operates 22 offices in 11 states across the country.
“I want to thank Total Quality Logistics for its investment in Tennessee and creating these new jobs in Davidson County,” Haslam said. “Today’s investment by Total Quality Logistics shows confidence in our business environment, and the decision to expand here reinforces our goal of becoming the No. 1 state in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”
TQL chose to locate in Middle Tennessee because it gives the company access to outstanding professional talent, a key component to TQL’s ability to serve its customers and increase its market share of the domestic transportation market.
“Tennessee continues to prove itself as a state offering the best business climate in the country, and companies looking to further growth are taking notice,” Hagerty said. “I’m pleased Total Quality Logistics recognizes Tennesseans’ reputation as a friendly and dedicated workforce. I want to welcome Total Quality Logistics to Tennessee and look forward to their continued presence and investment.”
“We are pleased to expand our operations in a state that shares our focus on job creation and economic growth,” TQL Executive Vice President Kerry Byrne said. “We offer careers for entry-level employees that allow them to progress quickly and take on leadership roles. More than 90 percent of the current sales leadership within our organization has been promoted from within.”
“This investment by Total Quality Logistics is a testament to Nashville’s business-friendly environment and our deep and talented workforce in the transportation and logistics industry,” Nashville Mayor Karl Dean said. “I thank the company for choosing to expand in Nashville and create more jobs, which further demonstrates the strength of economic development in our city.”
“We are excited that Total Quality Logistics has chosen to relocate to the Nashville region,” said Jeff Hite, vice president of recruitment for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. “Because of Nashville’s competitive business climate, educated workforce and high quality of life, we continue to see an influx of strong economic activity in the Nashville area.”
TQL is one of the fastest growing providers of transportation logistics services in North America, connecting shippers who have product that needs to be moved with truckload carriers who have the capacity to move it. The company works with more than 10,000 customers and 50,000 carriers across North America to move more than 800,000 loads a year. TQL moves approximately 3,500 different types of commodities including fresh fruits and vegetables, packaged foods and beverages, meat and poultry, machinery and equipment.
TQL was featured in the November issue of Inc. magazine as one of the top job creators in the country. The publisher of G.I. Jobs magazine also has named TQL one of this country’s Military Friendly Employers.
People can apply for jobs immediately and should start the process online at www.tqljobs.com. Prior experience in the logistics industry is not necessary as new hires with the company participate in a 26-week paid training program. TQL offers its salespeople the opportunity to earn unlimited commissions in addition to their base compensation once they have successfully completed training.
About Total Quality Logistics
Total Quality Logistics is one of the top freight brokerage companies in the nation, with more than $1.6 billion in annual sales. The company, founded in 1997, is privately held and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, with 22 locations across the nation. TQL was ranked among the nation’s 150 Top Workplaces in 2013 in one of the largest-ever surveys of U.S. companies, with more than 1 million employees participating nationwide. TQL employs more than 2,300 nationwide.
South American grapes and blueberries could reach some U.S. markets quicker under a new pilot program bringing fruit to south Florida ports.
It could mean produce truckers loading more fruit in Florida instead of say, a port like Philadelphia.
Global ocean carrier Hamburg Süd’s delivered the first shipment of imported Peruvian grapes to Port Everglades in Greater Fort Lauderdale under the pilot program on Nov. 29, according to a news release from the port.
“With our state-of-the-art refrigerated cargo containers and our fixed-day of the week liner service between Peru and Port Everglades, we are uniquely positioned to cater to this exciting new business,” Juergen Pump, senior vice president, Hamburg Süd North America, said in the release. “Port Everglades is the first U.S. port of call for our South American West Coast/United States service and we are looking forward to serving the South Florida fresh produce import community,”
Before the pilot program was established, imported South American fruit had to be imported through northern ports such as Philadelphia and then trucked to Southern U.S. market because of concerns over hitchhiker pests, according to the release.
The pilot program, which started Oct. 1, approved a limited number of “cold-treatment” shipments — grapes and blueberries from Peru and Uruguay — to enter the Florida market directly in containers
Numerous shipments of grapes and blueberries from Peru and Uruguay are expected in the next few months, according to the release.
One of the big advantages of the south Florida port is transit time, according to the release. A container traveling from Peru would reach Port Everglades in only 15 days, compared with the 21-day journey to Philadelphia, according to the release.