Posts Tagged “Florida citrus shipments”
Apple shippers in upstate New York will be more comfortable with a forecast once they get through August. Meanwhile, an early forecast doesn’t predict any good times for Florida citrus shipments.
New York apple shippers are reluctant to put on estimate on their crop this season. After all, farmers get spooked easily, don’t want to jinx the crop, and are all too aware of what Mother Nature may have planned. Once we get into September they’ll start loosening up a bit.
Still they remember what history has taught them that a lot can change between April and August, even from July to August. Into 2015 crop all hell broke loose between July and August. The USDA’s July 2015 forecast was 26.2 million 42-pound units, or cartons. Its July 2016 final estimate of the 2015 crop just came out at 32.4 million. That’s a significant increase to market, sell and ship without a lot of notice. But even that year was just short of 2009’s record crop of 32.6 million.
Florida Citrus Shipments
Florida citrus shippers face a tumultuous year if a projected 26 percent decline in Florida’s new orange crop for the 2016-17 season pans out.
One recent prediction has Florida orange growers producing only 60.5 million boxes of oranges in the new season, which begins in October, down from 81.5 million boxes in 2015-16.
If that estimate holds, it will be the smalles Florida orange crop in 53 years since 54.9 million boxes harvested in the 1963-64 season. The next lowest crop was 57.79 million orange boxes in 1949-50.
Florida growers continue to lose the battle against the fatal bacterial disease citrus greening. Additionally, the fungal disease called “postbloom fruit drop” hit the late-season Valencia orange crop hard during the spring.
Greening results in a tree producing fewer, smaller fruit, meaning fewer boxes are picked. Infected trees also show a diminished capacity to hold onto mature fruit before harvesting, known as “pre-harvest drop.”
Florida citrus officials consider greening as the primary factor behind the 66 percent drop in the state’s orange harvest from 242 million boxes in the 2003-04 season, the last non-hurricane season before the disease’s 2005 discovery in the state.
The USDA will release its first official crop estimate October 12.
Alarming declines in Florida citrus shipments continue.
Florida grapefruit shipments are the lowest in at least three decades and down 300,000 cartons from the previous month’s report due to El Nino weather conditions and December temperatures in the mid 80s that cut production. Some growers plan to end grapefruit loadings by March, earlier than the typical May seasonal finish.
The latest Florida citrus forecast issued by the USDA has this season’s production for the state as 29 percent lighter than last season’s crop. The tangerine forecast improved, though production for that item is still expected to be less than that from the previous season.
Orange volume for the state of Florida is expected to reach 69 million boxes of fruit for the 2015-2016 season – that’s almost a third less than the 96.8 million boxes produced during the 2014-2015 season. The forecast is in line with a trend that has the state’s orange shipments decreasing over the last several years. Of the 69 million expected boxes, 33 million are expected to be Valencia oranges.
The forecast for tangerines was increased this month to an estimated 1.5 million boxes for the season. That’s a million more boxes than were forecast for the season last month. But even with the bump, production for the season is still expected to be significantly less than the 2.3 million boxes that were produced during the 2014-2015 season.
Here’s an update on the amount of fruit remaining in storages around the country for fresh apple shipments, as well as another look at declining Florida citrus loadings.
The amount of domestic U.S. fresh apples remaining in storages totaled 90.5 million bushels on January 1, 20 percent fewer than last year at the same time. However, the January total was similar to the five-year average of 90.7 million bushels, according to the U.S. Apple Association, Vienna, Va. Washington accounted for about 76.6 million bushels of those still in storage, New York 5.7 million bushels, Michigan 4.5 million bushels and Pennsylvania 1.3 million bushels.
Washington’s Yakima Valley apples and pears – grossing about $6000 to New York City.
Florida Citrus Shipments
While about 96 percent of the Florida’s oranges are shipped to processers, 65percent of navels, 63 percent of tangerines, 40 percent of grapefruit and about 10 percent of the state’s overall citrus is shipped fresh.
Navels, grapefruit and tangerines showed declines in the latest USDA report on Florida citrus production. The USDA reported January 12 no changes in other orange production, noting navels declined 100,000 boxes to 1 million cartons.
Grapefruit production declined 700,000 cartons, with most of the losses coming in red grapefruit, which saw a 500,000-carton decline. On tangerines, decreases in early and midseason fruit, the fallglos and sunbursts, as well as the later season honeys lowered production 200,000 cartons.
Fruit droppage on oranges, however, is reported to be high across all varieties as well as with grapefruit and tangerines. Droppage is at 32 percent for the non-valencias, well above the maximum and for valencias, is reported to be the highest in more than 50 years.
In other words, Florida citrus shipping woes continue, primarily due to disease problems.
Florida citrus and vegetables – grossing about $2500 to New York City.
Spring Florida produce shipments are shifting towards high gear!
Florida produce shipments for this spring are shaping up to be a good one for produce haulers because of excellent weather and growing conditions.
Vegetables being harvested in the Sunshine State range from tomatoes to snap beans, sweet corn, cabbage, cucumbers, carrots, radishes, celery, squash, lettuce and other leaf vegetables. Florida citrus shipments continue, while the strawberry harvest has concluded, but blueberry loadings are ramping up.
The state grows and ships over 350 commodities.
Weather didn’t pose any significant obstacles to growers this season as the state has experienced a mild winter.
Tomato shipments for both grape and cherry tomatoes from the Palmetto/Ruskin areas of Florida should get underway about April 10th, while romas and rounds should follow around April 17-20.
Tomato shipments should reach seasonal norms the week of April 6 or the week of April 13.
South Florida fresh potato shipments commenced in early February and will continue until early to mid-May. Peak Florida potato shipments are occuring during March and April.
Florida red, yellow and white potatoes – grossing about $2975 to Dallas.
Florida mixed vegetables – grossing about $3400 to New York City and about $3100 to Chicago.
Florida citrus shipments continue on a steady pace, while the state’s blueberry shipping season is just getting underway.
The Sunshine State’s orange production has declined slightly with the issuance of the USDA’s March 10th report. However, production of grapefruit and tangerines has remained steady.
Late-season orange production, which includes navels declined 2 percent or 1 million equivalent cartons from the previous month’s report. The late season valencias, which ship primarily to processed channels, remained unchanged. Valencias account for 55 million cartons with the other oranges at 47 million cartons.
Final season navel shipments is reported at 1.4 million cartons. Navels ship primarily fresh while around 96 percent of the state’s oranges are harvested for processing.
Overall, Florida this season is expected to ship 120 million cartons of citrus, down from last season’s 124 million cartons.
Florida citrus – grossing about $3500 to Boston.
Florida, Georgia Blueberry Shipments
Florida blueberry shipments are just starting from the Southern and central parts of the state of the state and loading should be available into early May. Northern Florida blueberries normally start in early April and will be available through late May. That freeze which damaged Georgia blueberries several weeks ago, did little or no damage for Central Florida blueberries.
The amount of damage to Georgia blueberries is still be assessed, but the state will still probably have decent shipments this season.
In recent years Georgia has surged to become the biggest domestic producer. For the 2014 season, Georgia’s 56 million pounds topped perennial leaders Michigan and New Jersey.
For years, Michigan and New Jersey traded the top spot for fresh production, with New Jersey leading four out of five years. In the mid-2000s, Georgia’s fresh volume was double Florida’s, a pace that continued as both states boosted production.
In the most recent season, Georgia’s fresh volume was more than three times that of Florida.
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.
Florida navel shipments will be down significantly this season, while other citrus items should show gains.
Florida citrus shipments will show small declines with navel oranges, grapefruit and tangerines, but valencias loadings are expected to increase, according to the first official USDA forecast.
Growers in Florida expect to ship 1.5 million cartons of navels, down 22 percent from 1.9 million cartons a year ago. If the forecast holds, it will be the lowest since the USDA began forecasting navels as a separate variety.
Shipments of valencias, of which 97 percent go to the processors, is up 9 percent. Overall Florida citrus volume should rise 3 percent from the 2013-14 season’s 104.8 million cartons to 108 this season. Grapefruit shipments are predicted at 15 million cartons, down 4 percent from 15.7 million cartons last year.
Both white and red grapefruit varieties saw 4 percent declines from the previous season. Total Florida tangerine production is seen being off 3 percent. Total Florida citrus shipments are pegged at 126.7 million cartons, down from last season’s 123.9 million cartons, but considerably lower than the 2009-13 average of 169 million cartons. Though a majority of the state’s oranges ship to processed plants, about 70 percent of its navels, half of its grapefruit and two-thirds of its tangerines ship fresh.
Overall, Florida is deader-than-a-door-nail this year. Citrus hasn’t really taken off, and there’s only moderate arrivals of imports at various Florida ports.
Southern and central Georgia vegetable shipments are modest, but ranging from green beans to peppers, cukes and squash.
Georgia vegetables – grossing about $2600 to New York City.
The forecast for Florida citrus shipments continues its trends showing fewer loading opportunities as the season continues. The March USDA report shows losses in most oranges, grapefruit and tangerine production. However, late season valencia shipments are pegged to remain the same as the February report.
Additionally, there will be more loading opportunities for later season apples than on averge for the past five years, with most of those opportunties being in Washington state.
For March, the USDA estimates the state’s production of all oranges to decline 1%, non-valencia oranges to decrease by 2%, all grapefruit down by 6% and all tangerines to fall by 7%. With grapefruit, both colored and white fruit are each lowered by 500,000 equivalent cartons, lowering production to 16 million cartons, smaller than the 18.8 million cartons the state shipped in 2013.
Since the valencia shipping report is showing no losses from the previous month, it may be a sign of stability as Florida moves into its late season shipping of oranges. Florida is expected to ship 114 million cartons of oranges for the season, down from last year’s 133.6 million cartons. Total Florida citrus shipments are expected to be 134 million cartons, down from 156 million cartons last season. Most of the state’s oranges are sent to the processors.
Florida citrus, vegetables – grossing about $3000 to New York City.
National Apple Shipments
About 61.5 million bushels of fresh market apples remained to be shipped by U.S. producers as of March 1, 3% less than last year at the same time. The total is, however, 6% above the 5-year average of 58.2 million bushels, according to the U.S. Apple Association.
Washington state accounted for 53.1 million bushels of the U.S. total still in storage. Michigan had 3.9 million bushels, New York 3.3 million bushels and Pennsylvania 762,000 bushels.
Washington apples from the Yakima Valley – grossing about $6700 to New York City.
The latest forecast Florida citrus shipments shows increases for grapefruit and tangerines, a decline in tangelo volume, but a steady movement for oranges, which is a turn around of recent reports.
The reversal follows declines of the Sunshine State’s citrus loadings since the USDA first began reporting this season’s surveys last November. In its February report, USDA estimates the state’s volume on grapefruit and tangerines will increase by 3percent each while tangelos are reported to plunge by 20 percent. While white grapefruit production remains consistent to the January forecast at 4.5 million equivalent cartons, the USDA increased red grapefruit volume by 500,000 boxes to 12.5 million equivalent cartons.
About 19 percent of white grapefruit and 36 percent of colored fruit has been harvested. Early tangerine volume remains unchanged while the honey tangerine volume was incresed 100,000 cartons to 1.7 million boxes. Midseason oranges and late season valencia oranges remain unchanged at 115 million equivalent cartons. Navel production is estimated at 1.9 million cartons, consistent with previous reports.
Growers are 87 percent finished harvesting navels, which ship predominantly fresh, while 75 percent of production of the early and midseason rows has completed harvesting. Tangelo forecast has been cut by 200,000 boxes to 800,000 cartons.
Although the majority of Florida’s oranges go through processed channels, 65 percent percent of its navels, 40 percent of its grapefruit and 63 percent of its tangerines are shipped fresh. About 10 percent of the state’s 136 million equivalent cartons of citrus ship fresh.
Central Florida citrus – grossing about $2500 to New York City.
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.