Posts Tagged “feature”
The Port of Antioquia in Colombia is currently under construction and will serve as a multipurpose terminal. Its construction phase is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025.
Located on the southeastern side of the Gulf of Urabá in Antioquia, the port will have the capacity to handle general cargo, vehicles, refrigerated and dry containers, and solid and liquid bulk, excluding hydrocarbons.
The port terminal will prioritize technology, safety, and high-quality processes, infrastructure, and services to capitalize on the opportunities presented by its strategic location as the closest port in the Caribbean— 217 miles away from Colombia’s main production and consumption centers.
Agro-exports rely on every link in the export chain to reach the final consumer, and ports play a fundamental role in managing export shipments. This is especially critical for fruit, which is a perishable product and requires rapid handling to ensure it is shipped as quickly as possible.
The National Association of Foreign Trade (Analdex) notes the Port of Antioquia is multipurpose and located in deep water, at 54 feet, which allows the arrival of various types of vessels.
The port should start operations by the end of the first quarter of 2025.
The port has five berthing positions and it is hoped by themiddle of the year the port will expand to two or three. By the end of 2025, there very well could be five berthing positions.
The Port of Antioquia has foreign investment, including support from the World Bank through the IFC, in addition to national investors.
General cargo will have a capacity of 450,000 tons, 650,000 containers, and 2.5 million tons of solid bulk.
Since the port is capable of receiving large ships, because it is 54 feet deep, so there is no problem of access for modern ships of 24,000 containers, which is what will arrive in Chancay. In addition, it will have a total of 1,200 plugs for refrigerated containers.
Bananas, Hass avocados, coffee, and exotic fruits, including pitahaya and uchuva, will be exported since the port has the possibility of using refrigerated containers.
The objective is to reach the East Coast of the United States and Europe, which currently receive a significant portion of Colombia’s fruit exports.
With the conclusion of the Mexican mango season, South American exports are ramping up on a weekly basis, with the U.S. being a primary destination.
Brazil started shipping in August and, as of early November, the country had moved 5.7 million boxes of a total expected volume of 7.6 million boxes for the season, according to Agraria.
Brazil is the fourth-largest supplier of mangos to the U.S., after Mexico, Peru and Ecuador. However, last season it ranked third on this list, as Ecuadorian and Peruvian production was affected by poor weather conditions.
The National Mango Board of Orlando, FL reports Brazil will be exporting more fruit to Europe, and shipments to the United States are expected to be down nearly 38 percent from a year ago.
Additionally, Ecuador’s mango exports to the U.S. started earlier and stronger this season, expecting to be over 160 percent higher than in 2023. As a result, Brazil is looking to the European market.
Ecuador is expected to play a much larger role in supplying mangos to the U.S. market compared to last year. During the 2023-2024 season, the country’s mango production was hit hard by El Niño, resulting in a significant decline in volumes.
Last year, the Ecuador exported about 5 million boxes of mangos compared to 14 million in a normal year. This year, Ecuador is expected to return to normal, with an estimated volume of 14 million boxes for the U.S. market.
Peru, the second largest supplier of mangos to the US., also expects a much better season. Last year, the country saw a 74 percent reduction in volume shipped as a result of adverse weather conditions. Instead of the 6.1 million boxes shipped last year, Peru expects to get back on track this year, with an estimated shipment of more than 23 million boxes to the U.S., from early October to early March 2025.
Peru expects to hit the milestone of shipping one million boxes per week during the holiday season.
Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death worldwide. However, a new study highlighted strawberries as a natural and delicious way to support cardiometabolic health and control cholesterol, according to the California Strawberry Commission.
The research, conducted at the University of California at Davis and funded by the commission, consolidated the results of 47 clinical trials and 13 observational studies published between 2000 and 2023. The study revealed significant health benefits associated with regular consumption of strawberries (between 1 and 4 cups per day), especially for improving cardiometabolic health.
The study concluded that strawberries are packed with beneficial phytonutrients, such as polyphenols and fiber, which help lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels while reducing inflammation. This results in better overall heart health and improved management of cardiovascular risk factors.
Whether fresh, frozen, or freeze-dried, a daily dose of strawberries can have a substantial impact on cardiometabolic health, especially in people at increased risk for heart disease.
Furthermore, the study suggests that strawberries may help slow cognitive decline and protect against dementia, thanks to their rich flavonoid content. By improving lipid metabolism and reducing systemic inflammation, strawberries contribute to lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease.
“Our review found that regular consumption of strawberries not only lowers cholesterol but also helps reduce inflammation, which is a key factor in heart disease. This means that simply adding a cup of strawberries to your daily routine can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular events,” commented Ph.D. Roberta Holt, lead researcher of the study from the University of California Davis.
The study was published in the September 2024 issue of Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition.
By Josh Mason ALC Salt Lake City
Shipping perishable goods doesn’t have to mean choosing between high costs and high risk. Refrigerated less-than-truckload (RLTL) shipping offers a versatile middle ground, giving businesses the ability to transport smaller shipments without sacrificing the temperature controls needed for quality and compliance. For industries that rely on cold chain logistics, RLTL represents a smarter way to ship, saving money while ensuring products reach their destinations in perfect condition.
Of course, shipping perishable goods isn’t without its hurdles. Maintaining consistent temperatures, navigating mixed freight loads, and avoiding transit delays are just a few of the challenges businesses face with RLTL. But with the right systems in place—like temperature monitoring, carefully vetted carrier networks, and proactive communication—these obstacles can be overcome. RLTL shipments can move seamlessly, ensuring product integrity and on-time delivery, no matter the complexity of the route.
The true advantage of RLTL lies in combining its efficiency with the expertise of a 3PL. By leveraging relationships with a diverse network of carriers, 3PLs can provide tailored solutions for even the most complex shipments. They can aggregate volumes across customers to negotiate competitive rates and bring a wealth of experience to troubleshoot potential issues. With a 3PL in your corner, RLTL becomes more than just a shipping option—it’s a strategic advantage.
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Josh Mason began his logistics career in 2019 and has focused on LTL freight and solutions. He joined the Allen Lund Company in the summer of 2024 when they opened their ALC Salt Lake City office in Ogden, UT.
josh.mason@allenlund.com
Canadian apple production is predicted to increase 5% in the 2024-25 marketing year, driven by a larger Quebec crop and average Ontario crop, according to a new USDA report.
The apple crop in British Columbia is expected to be average with apple trees having weathered a January 2024 cold event better than pears and grapes, the report said.
While the British Columbia crop will be average by volume, there are sizing and quality issues.
“Additionally, one of the packers and owners of controlled atmosphere in the province, the BC Tree Fruits Cooperative announced an immediate closure in July,” the report said, adding that the closure left many growers without a packer for the upcoming harvest and with a loss of access to controlled atmosphere storage.
“Some growers may look to secure storage access in Washington state, a smaller Washington crop may help support access to these storage facilities,” the report said. “As a result of limited controlled atmosphere storage options at present, it is likely that there will be a large volume of apples selling through the end of 2024 as growers lack the capacity to put them in longer-term storage. This would in turn create a greater need for imports to satisfy [British Columbia] retailer and consumer demand from January 2025 onwards. A higher volume on the market through end of 2024 will also continue to negatively impact pricing.”
The report said Canadian pear production for 2024-25 is forecast to be down 9% compared with the previous season because of cold impacts to the crop in British Columbia. A larger Ontario crop will only partially offset losses in British Columbia, the report said.
Canadian imports of apples and pears are forecast to be down slightly in marketing year 2024-25, driven by shifting consumer preferences and a reduction in U.S. production, according to the report.
The USDA said fresh apple imports are forecast to drop a little over 2% because of the increase in Canadian apple production and a decline in the U.S. apple crop.
“Canada is forecast to maintain recent year’s export pace with a larger crop supporting a forecast of 8% growth in exports,” the USDA said. A smaller U.S. apple crop will also provide additional export opportunity for Canadian apples, the report said.
Production of table grapes is forecast to decline 16% due to adverse weather events impacting Ontario and British Columbia. The USDA predicts Canada will increase its imports of grapes by 2% in 2024-25.
South Texas grapefruit and orange shipments have started withh expectations of a fresh crop for 2024-25 of 2.5 million cartons of grapefruit, 1 million cartons of early oranges and 500,000 cartons of late oranges.
Trade association Texas Citrus Mutual of Mission, TX sees of a similar volume compared to last year, with the condition of the fruit looking strong. Fruit quality has been great in the first few weeks of harvest.
In the 2023-24 season, USDA shipment figures indicate Texas fresh grapefruit shipments of 2.317 million 40-pound cartons and fresh orange shipments of 1.627 million 40-pound cartons.
The Texas citrus harvest should be finished by April.
Despite challenges including freezes, hurricanes and drought, assurances of water deliveries could encourage growers to plant more citrus in future years, the association reports.
Texas grapefruit harvested acreage in 2023 totaled 9,000, according to the Texas Agricultural Statistics Service. Yields of grapefruit were estimated at 250 boxes per acre, with an overall on-tree return of $20.93 per box. The value of both fresh and processed fruit was $50.5 million. Of utilized production of 90,000 tons, fresh accounted for 50,000 tons and processing uses accounted for 40,000 tons.
Texas orange harvested acreage in 2023 totaled 6,100, generating 48,000 tons of utilized production. Fresh market orange utilization was 35,000 tons, compared with just 12,000 tons for processing. The overall value of the Texas orange crop in 2023 was $14.8 million, with yields of 185 boxes per acre. The on-tree equivalent for orange prices was $11.30 per box, according to the Texas Agricultural Statistics Service.
The Pomegranate Council, founded in 1997 to promote the California pomegranate industry, said the state’s pomegranate season is officially underway. Harvested October through January, the council said the season is short but aligns perfectly with the holidays and pomegranates offer a pop of color, flavor and nutrition in holiday recipes.
Pomegranate Council partnered with Tara “Teaspoon” Bench, a former food editor of Martha Stewart Living, to offer tips to incorporate pomegranates at the holidays, according to a news release.
Pomegranate pieces, arils and a homemade compote are can be added to cheese boards this holiday season.
“From a gorgeous cheese platter to a holiday ham, the pomegranate’s bright, juicy, red arils elevate any dish,” Bench said. “Not to mention, they make a fabulous centerpiece.”
Pomegranate arils or juice made from the arils also make for a show-stopping ingredient in cocktails, salads, dips, sides, entrees, desserts and more, the release said. Adding sweetness, juiciness and crunch, the pomegranate possibilities are many, Bench said.
“Pomegranates are the quintessential food gift,” she said. “Deliver whole pomegranates to neighbors or make my Pomegranate Crunchy Clusters, a delicious mix of chocolate, coconut, granola and pomegranates.”
The Pomegranate Council also said pomegranates boast vitamin C to polyphenols and potassium for added health benefits.
The latest Mango Crop Report by the National Mango Board shows there’s going to be an increase in overall mango volume shipped to the United States in December, an increase mostly attributed to an uptick in Peruvian and Ecuadorian fruit.
The 2024 Peruvian season is expected to be about 248% higher than 2023, with a projection of approximately 20.7 million boxes. Volume shipped from Peru was approximately 843,470 boxes for a total of 1,867,105 boxes for the season, an increase of over 700,000 boxes compared to 2023, during the same week.
The Kent variety makes up a little over 93% of shipments, followed by Ataulfo (5%), Keitt (0.8%), and other varieties (0.5%)
Ecuador’s mango season began the first week of September and will run until the last week of December. Currently, the country is in the process of harvesting and/or packing, and volumes shipped on the week ending 11/23/2024 were approximately 1,078,651 boxes for a total of 12,074,802 boxes for the season. This is an astounding increase compared to the 416,548 boxes during the same week last year.
Ecuador’s most traded varieties are Tommy Atkins, making up a little over 43%, followed closely by Kent, which makes up 39.7% of the overall volume shipped, followed by Keitt (12%) and Ataulfo (5%). Other varieties make up only 0.1%.
Brazilian mango season, on the other hand, is expected to be about 32% lower YOY, although volume shipped during the period is higher compared to last year, same date, the overall total of boxes for the season is projected to be around 8,167,073, nearly a 3 million decrease from last year. The Brazilian mango season began in the first week of August and will run until the last week of December.
The total mango volume shipped during the last week of November was approximately 2,424,189 boxes, with two main mango varieties being shipped to the United States, Kent (59%) and Tommy Atkins (24%).
Peak volume tomato shipments from Florida are on their way.
In 2023, Florida shipped fresh open-field tomatoes from October through July, with peak shipments from October through May. Leading tomato-producing counties in Florida include Hillsborough County, Manatee County, Hendry County, Palm Beach County and Collier County.
Florida tomato acreage in 2023 totaled about 30,000 acres, of which about 29,00 acres were harvested, according to USDA numbers.
With yields of 300 hundredweight per acre, the value of the 2023 Florida tomato crop was estimated at $493.6 million, according to the USDA. Total tomato harvested volume was 8.97 million hundredweight.
The USDA’s annual shipment summary reported that Florida accounted for 23.44 million 25-pound cartons of open-field fresh round tomato truck shipments in 2023. That accounted for about 56% of total domestic fresh round tomato truck shipments.
The USDA reported that only 8,000 25-pound cartons of Florida organic round tomatoes were shipped in 2023.
Florida cherry tomato shipments in 2023 totaled 344,000 25-pound cartons, just over 70% of USDA-reported cherry tomato shipments.
Florida grape tomato shipments in 2023 were reported at 2.148 million 25-pound cartons, or about 71% of total domestic grape tomato shipments.
Florida plum tomato shipments in 2023 were reported at 8.17 million 25-pound cartons by the USDA, or 61% of total domestic plum tomato volume.
For central and south Florida, the USDA reported that average prices for 5×6-size mature green tomatoes in 25-pound cartons began in early November and continued through mid-May. Prices for the 2023-24 season began in early November in a range from $14.95 to $18.95 per carton. Prices topped $30 per carton in late December and topped $37 per carton in late January and early February.
A strong comeback is being experienced for California table grapes after facing challenges during the 2023-24 season. USDA data reveals the state had shipped 71 million boxes by early November, 12 million more than during the same period last season.
All table grape shipments are coming from the San Joaquin Valley, which typically operates between June and January. On Nov. 8 alone, the state shipped a little over 705,000 boxes of table grapes.
With harvest ongoing, the industry expects to harvest a crop of over 90 million boxes and to continue shipping through December.
According to USDA data, last season ended with 69.7 million boxes shipped from California, a season heavily impacted by Tropical Storm Hilary in August.
Over the last four years, California has shipped fewer boxes by this point in the season, with the highest volume during that period in 2022 at 70.6 million boxes.