Posts Tagged “feature”
In light of the ongoing dry season and its prolonged effects, the Panama Canal has informed its customers that it will maintain a draft of 44 feet for the next few months.
The measure will be in place for “as long as weather conditions do not vary significantly from our current projections,” the Panama Canal Authority says in a recent release.
This comes as the canal seeks to continue providing reliable and sustainable service for its clients.
An average of 32 vessels per day will be allowed transit with this temporary condition, as changes in precipitation patterns are expected to affect water availability in Panama.
Drought conditions in the canal are part of a global phenomenon, with the World Meteorological Organization warning about a high probability of El Niño setting in before the end of this calendar year.
The Canal has been implementing procedures to improve water efficiency in its operations, while conducting studies to identify long-term solutions to climate variability. However, the severity of the drought, coupled with its recurrence is historically unprecedented.
The Panama Canal remains committed to ensuring safe and reliable operations in the short term and optimal services for years to come.
Despite rainy winter and a cool spring, the California Almond Objective Measurement Report published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS) estimates that the 2023 crop will come in at 2.6 billion pounds, 1% percent above last year’s 2.57 billion pounds.
This new estimate is up 4% from USDA-NASS’s subjective forecast back in May and comes after one of the wettest winters on record, limited bee flights because of rain and wind, and a cool spring.
USDA’s Forecasted yield is 1,880 pounds per acre, down 20 pounds from 2022 and the lowest since 2009.
The slight increase comes partly because of larger nut size and despite difficult conditions, USDA-NASS’s report says, “Record level rainfall and unprecedented stormy conditions hindered bee pollination activity in orchards across the state. Cooler than normal temperatures continued through early summer and delayed the maturity of the crop.”
“Almond farmers have faced a series of challenges in recent years, and this wet, cool winter and spring created different obstacles after three years of drought. Yet the forecast for a larger crop shows the resiliency of California almond orchards,” said Richard Waycott, president and CEO of the Almond Board of California (ABC).
“Almond farmers have worked hard while dealing with higher production and financing costs and a bloom with highly compromised bee flight hours. They are very thankful, however, for the abundant rain and snow which vastly improved the water situation, at least for now, and for shipping logistics that continue to improve. The perseverance of California’s almond farmers is admirable as is their commitment to meet future growth in global demand with high-quality California almonds.”
The forecast for the average nut set per tree is 3,953, 3% down from 2022. The Nonpareil average nut set of 4,004 is 1% more than last year.
The average kernel weight for all varieties sampled was 1.67 grams, up 14% from the 2022 average weight. The Nonpareil average kernel weight was 1.69 grams, up 9% from last year.
The survey was conducted from May 26 to July 3 and 1,824 trees were sampled in 912 orchards, 32 more orchards than in 2022. USDA-NASS conducts the annual Subjective Forecast, Objective Report and Acreage Report to provide the California almond industry with the data needed to make informed business decisions.
Markesan, Wisconsin — Alsum Farms & Produce grower partner, Trembling Prairie Farms Inc. is in full swing harvesting new crop Wisconsin Celery starting this week with the season expected to go through the first week of October. Located in the muck soils of Green Lake County, Trembling Prairie Farms is a family farm owned and operated by John and Connie Bobek along with their four children in Markesan. For more than a decade the Bobek family has been growing and packing locally grown celery serving the Midwest retail and foodservice markets. .
In 2012, Trembling Prairie Farms started with 3 acres of celery and today has expanded to over 45 acres. The farm starts with a celery variety that grows well in the Wisconsin climate. Peak freshness, a milder flavor and snappier crunch are all advantages of this locally grown celery variety.
The process of growing celery starts in local greenhouses in late February to early April and is then transplanted in 12 different plantings. Celery planting begins on May 1 with the goal of the last planting to be in the ground by July 1. Trembling Prairie Farms Wisconsin Grown Celery is available for distribution with ample volume of all sizes and packs available for the next 11 weeks, including:
- 24 count naked or sleeved
- 30 count naked or sleeved
- 36 count naked or sleeved
- 18 count celery hearts
“We’re happy to be able to bring our locally grown Wisconsin Celery to the market,” says John Bobek, farmer and owner of Trembling Prairie Farms. “Whether paired with peanut butter as a healthy kid-friendly snack, or chopped in a salad for an outdoor gathering, Wisconsin Celery offers a fresh taste for consumers looking for locally grown in the Midwest.”
Two medium stalks of celery offer many nutritional benefits including vitamin C, potassium and 2 grams of fiber all for only 20 calories. In the U.S., consumers eat on average six pounds of fresh celery annually. With its many nutritional benefits and versatility this crunchy, fiber-filling vegetable is delicious and good-for-you.
For more information on Trembling Prairies Farms Wisconsin Grown Celery, go to www.tremblingprairiefarms.com or www.alsum.com.
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Trembling Prairie Farms
Trembling Prairie Farms is a grower of Wisconsin red potatoes, yellow and red onions, and celery on 500 acres of rich muck soil in Green Lake County. Trembling Prairie Farms, a family owned and operated business, has grown to become a major supplier of Wisconsin-family farmer grown vegetables serving retail and foodservice markets.
About Alsum Farms & Produce
Alsum Farms & Produce Inc. is a leading fresh market grower, packer and shipper of Wisconsin grown potatoes, onions, and provider of fresh, quality produce. Established five decades ago and headquartered in Friesland, Wis., Alsum Farms & Produce is a vertically integrated family-owned farm, packing facility and logistics company providing quality produce. Committed to sustainability and stewardship of the soil, Alsum Farms grows 3,000 acres of Wisconsin Healthy Grown® Certified Alsum Potatoes along with pumpkins.
Record shipments occurred with Michigan’s 2022 apple crop. Although another record setter is not forecast this year, it is expected to come close. A year ago it was a record 32.4 million bushels (1.36 billion pounds).
The Michigan Apple Committee of Langsing, MI believes the crop will be approximately 85% to 90% the size of last year’s volume.
Honeycrisp, gala, and fuji are Michigan’s most popular varieties, while Cripps Pink (Pink Lady), EverCrisp and ambrosia are growing in popularity.
New trees are maturing every year at North Bay Produce of Traverse City, MI.
EverCrisp production has been increasing for the past couple of years, Pink Lady had good volume last year but will increase this season. Ambrosa shipments just recently started.
The company will kick off its harvest the last week of August with the Wildfire gala, Premier Honeycrisp, paula red and ginger gold varieties.
Volume should be up slightly at North Bay Produce, and some early summer rainfall will help sizing.
Sparta, Mich.-based Applewood Fresh Growers LLC of Sparta, MI will begin its harvest at the end of August with its early back-to-school variety, Rave, followed by the popular Sweet Tango.
Rave volume should nearly double last year, and SweeTango will up by 15% to 20%.
Riveridge Produce Marketing Inc. of Sparta will start its harvest the third week of August, three to four days ahead of last year.
Volume at Riveridge will be similar to last year with good quality.
The company has nearly 20 kinds of apples with the early varieties beginning in late August and the last one, Pink Lady, kicking off Nov. 1.
Honeycrisp, gala and fuji remain the grower’s most popular varieties.
Rice Fruit Company, based in Gardners, PA is a leading Pennsylvania grower, packer and shipper of apples, which has launched its 2023 apple season. The company is optimistic for a good crop.
In its 110th year of business, the company began apple harvest on early varieties in late July and started shipping in early August.
Rice Fruit reports the new crop is exceeding expectations due to sufficient rain and sunshine, along with cool summer nights, all leading to beautiful apples with great flavor.
The operation started shipping to retailers and distributors with their early apple varieties: Gala, Ginger Gold, and Honeycrisp.
Peruvian fresh blueberry exports reached 34.7 million kilograms in the first half of 2023, reflecting an increase of 42.7 percent compared to the 24.3 million kilos shipped in the same period last year, according to Agraria.
By the end of the year fresh blueberries will be the main agricultural export crop from Peru, surpassing table grapes.
In the first half of this year, shipments of fresh blueberries from Peru were as follows: January, 15,716,388 kilos (11,982,583 kilos in January 2022); February, 9,655,215 kilos (5,707,546 kilos in February 2022); March, 3,827,527 kilos (2,874,230 kilos in March 2022); April, 1,331,768 kilos (976,997 kilos in April 2022); May, 1,551,628 kilos (762,083 kilos in May 2022); and June, 2,603,737 kilos (2,001,985 kilos in June of last year).
Shipments of fresh blueberries every month of this year have been higher compared to the same months in 2022. In addition, the 2023-2024 campaign (which started in May and whose peak is registered in September and October) it is already predicted it will be greater than the 2022-2023 season, and it is expected to grow in volume by 25-30 percent.
The main destination markets for fresh blueberries from Peru are the U.S., the Netherlands, China, the UK, and Hong Kong, among others.
By Nora Trueblood
Before diving into this very tenuous subject of immigration, I wanted to share some history to bring us to 2023.
The United States has always been considered the great melting pot, welcoming immigrants from all over the world. From the late 1800s until 1965, immigration was just a matter of something we always had, accepted, and were proud of. We welcomed those from all points in Europe and Russia and then more and more from Asia and Latin America. The early immigrants were attracted by jobs in building and manufacturing industries, and as time went on the needs in agriculture became more obvious for immigrant workers.
The U.S. had allowed immigrants at a large pace, admitting an average of 250,000 immigrants a year in the 1950s, and 330,000 in the 1960s.
Beginning in the early 1960s, immigration became more and more of a talking point, and the idea of establishing a policy to monitor and control entry to the U.S. was on the minds of both sides of the aisle – both in Congress and with the Senate. Quotas that had been established based on census information since the 1920s were out of date, and those quotas were challenged as to their fairness. John F. Kennedy took up immigration reform prior to his assassination.
The Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965
Considered the first legislation of its kind passed after Kennedy’s death, with support and passage by Congress and in the Senate. However, the water-downed version of the legislation was thought to have very little real consequence in immigration reform. In the three decades since its passage, it is estimated that over 18 million legal immigrants entered the U.S., with the highest number from Mexico. The roots of this legislation remain in effect.
The Refugee Act of 1980
This legislation’s focus was on raising the annual admittance of refugees to the U.S. from 17,400 to 50,000. It also created a better process to review and adjust to the huge influx of refugees from war-torn countries where individuals needed to show a “well-founded fear of persecution” if they stayed in their home country. It also provided assistance to immigrants to achieve financial self-sufficiency. This legislation was passed unanimously by the Senate and was signed into law by President Jimmy Carter. Parts of this legislation remain in effect.
The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986
The intention was to create a better way of enforcing immigration and the first amnesty programs, creating more chances for legal immigration. It also made it illegal for employers to knowingly hire or recruit illegal immigrants. This was passed and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan. The effect was specific to a new visa process to allow immigrants to work temporarily in mostly agricultural settings, with some non-agricultural visas extended as well. This Act remains in effect.
The 1990 Immigration Act
This legislation amended the Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965, by raising the total level of immigration. Reportedly 20 million immigrants were permitted over the two decades since its passage to enter the U.S. Additionally, entrants could stay in the U.S. until situations in their home countries improved. A new area addressed in this Act was that employers could contract with foreign laborers to come to the U.S. and pay for their passage in exchange for the worker’s wages (up to one year). What resonates with me specifically about this legislation is the fact that it was introduced by (D) Ted Kennedy and signed into law by (R) President George Herbert Bush. It seems like the last time a bipartisan piece of immigration reform was passed.
There was additional reform passed in 1996, and then after 9/11, the Homeland Security Act of 2002 took over much of the immigration enforcement.
President Biden is trying to push through more immigration reform, however the Republicans currently control the House and the Democrats the Senate. And the divides in this country have never seemed so wide.
Our agricultural businesses need seasonal workers as do other non-agricultural businesses like the hospitality/hotel industry. They rely on immigrants (legal and other) to keep their businesses afloat. I have read and heard the statement “no one wants these low-paying hard-working jobs.” I always thought it would be interesting to require high school students in an agricultural region/state to work in the fields for one week. While I have not done so myself, I understand working in the fields, just as working as a housekeeper at a hotel, is very hard work. So, we Americans won’t fill these jobs? That is another topic altogether to think about.
How do we get our Congress and Senate to work together to bring about humane and fair immigration reform? Where those in the U.S. who are here illegally, but are working and paying taxes have a road to citizenship. Where the Dreamers that are here because their parents wanted a better life for them, may stay and become legal citizens. And the flip side, how do we remove the immigrants that are criminals, prevent entry to those with records of violence and gang affiliations, those that are moving fentanyl through our schools and communities, and those who do not work and expect our government to take care of them?
I do not have answers to all of these questions, but I do know that the transportation and produce industries employ a lot of very smart people. We need to speak up, get involved and be the conduits of change. Let’s have more conversations.
Harvest of peanuts for the new season will be taking place mostly from a have a dozen southern states. Harvesting occurs from September into early November.
USDA statistics show states with the most U.S. peanut production are Georgia, Florida, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas.
According to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, the U.S. peanut crop in 2022 was estimated at 5.57 billion pounds.
This year, the USDA reported on April 30 planting intentions in North Carolina totaled 130,000 acres, up 11% from 2022. For the entire U.S., the report said peanut planting intentions were 1.547 million acres, up 7% from 1.45 million acres in 2022.
Government reports indicate demand for in-shell peanuts produced primarily in the Carolinas is up 9.5% from August 2022 through March 2023.
Hampton Farms, based in Severn, NC has been in business 100 years has grown from a small family business to the leading roaster of in-shell peanuts.
The company has additional plants in Edenton, N.C.; Franklin, Va.; Springfield, Mass.; Lubbock, Texas; and Portales, N.M., Hampton Farms roasts, packs and markets finished nut products direct to customers nationwide.
A reduction in the projection of exports of Peruvian avocados has been lowered to 598,344 tons in 2023. The Hass Avocado Producers Association of Peru (ProHass) reduced the forecast after estimating shipments of more than 630,000 in March, according to La Republica.
This decline is even less than the 624,000 tons that ProHass announced in January and represents only 8 percent more than the 554,299 tons that were shipped in 2022. Until a few months ago, a growth of 14 percent was expected for the current year.
Juan Carlos Paredes, president of ProHass, attributed this setback to a harvest with fruits between 10-15 percent smaller due to the effects of the La Niña phenomenon in 2022. The estimate for shipments to Europe in 2023 had already gone from 358,685 to 341,850 tons.
“During the last few years, we have had a very large growth in avocado exports to the world. This year we expect to close at close to 600,000 tons, an advance of 8 percent compared to 2022,” Paredes said at a press conference.
ProHass expects export growth in the order of 10 percent by 2024. By 2023, it anticipates that demand growth will remain between 6-8 percent per year nationally and internationally.
“Initially, growth was projected at 14 percent, but we have reduced the figure due to a smaller fruit size. It is equally important, with Peru being the second exporter worldwide,” said Paredes.
It is not the only obstacle that the sector has encountered this year. The transit time to Asian countries –one of the markets most sought after by producers — has not yet recovered its pre-pandemic levels. Insurers also do not cover port diversion delays.
Consequently, the avocado is no longer exported to prevent it from spoiling along the way, and with this, the entry with larger volumes to still incipient markets for the Peruvian Hass avocado such as India, Japan, Korea, and China is lost. The latter has been multiplying the number of containers it receives.
“Transit times are long, which makes trade with countries on this continent difficult,” Paredes added.
Currently, Peru has around 60,000 hectares of Hass avocado, managed by a total of 23,675 producers. It is the second largest global exporter, only behind Mexico, to the point that 80 percent of the avocado consumed in the countries of Europe in summer is Peruvian.
Mexico exports nearly one-half of the world’s avocado exports, amounting to a record of $3.495 billion in 2022. More and more in these exports are going to the U.S. and less in the rest of the world, according to El Economista.
Of all overseas shipments of Mexican avocados in the past year, 86.1 percent went to the U.S. market, in value terms, a share that exceeded the previous all-time high of 80.2 percent in 2014.
The growing avocado exports from Mexico are based on purchases by American consumers, but at the same time this explains the decreasing geographical diversification of Mexican external sales of this fruit.
Of all world avocado exports in the past year, Mexico had a 47.5 percent share in 2022, with sales of $3.008 billion to the U.S.
The market value of the other destinations for avocado exporters from Mexico is substantially lower: Canada ($287 million), Japan ($87 million), Spain ($41 million), El Salvador ($26 million), Honduras ($11 million), and the rest of the nations reach less than $10 million each.
The U.S. began the gradual opening of its market in 1997, after having applied an embargo on Mexican avocados for 83 years. The last stage occurred on January 31, 2007, when it allowed imports to California,
In 2003, the U.S. only represented 30.2 percent of Mexican avocado exports. Then sales were diversified to destinations such as Japan (20.5 percent), France (14.9 percent) and Canada (9.7 percent).