Posts Tagged “Lower Rio Grande Valley produce loads”
During the winter months when U.S. domestic produce shipments are at their lowest, imports of fruits and vegetables from Southern hemisphere countries, which have opposite seasons from America, provide good loading opportunities at ports and border crossings. Here’s a look at Florida produce ports and South Texas.
South American Mangos
Mangos from Ecuador should be arriving at the South Florida port of Pompano Beach. However, Ecuador, as well as Brazil and Peru are all expected to be down in volume this season as a result of El Niño.
Kiwi Arriving at Port of Miami
Globally, Italy is the second-largest producer of kiwifruit….California production ramped up in early October and will continue through April. Most Italian kiwi imports will be through the Port of Miami.
California and Italy are both Northern Hemisphere producers, and Italian producers expect overall volume will be up approximately 15 percent this season.
Blueberry Imports
Blueberry imports from Argentina are arriving at the Port of Miami. While volume is still very light, it will be increasing soon.
Imports into South Texas
The new Baluarte Bridge in Mexico located between Sinaloa and Durango is changing a lot of things regardomg Lower Rio Grande Valley produce loads in Texas. The bridge, which is 3,000 feet long and soars 1,300 feet above the Baluarte River is resulting in a lot of winter West Mexican produce being shipped through south Texas, especially if the final destination is in the eastern half of the United States. 45 percent of all Mexican exports to the U.S. are now coming through Texas. Based on the past five years of trends, imports of Mexican fruits and vegetables through Texas will grow by an amazing 62 percent.
Mexican produce crossing at McAllen TX – grossing bout $2700 to Chicago; about $4400 to New York City.
Opportunities for South Texas produce loads have been increasing over the years, but we haven’t seen nothin’ yet. Produce truckers will have a lot more chances for Lower Rio Grande Valley produce loads than ever.
The reasons are two-fold. First, more fruits and vegetables are being grown in Mexico, with many of the operations financed by U.S. produce companies. Second, the completion of a Mexican highway between West Mexico’s Mazatln and Eastern Mexico’s Matamoros is reducing transit times to South Texas warehouses. This also is cutting mileage and reducing freight costs for produce receivers thoughout the eastern half of the United States and Canada.
40,000-pound shipments of produce through Texas ports soared from 101,400 truckloads in 2007 to 159,482 truckloads in 2012, an increase of 58 percent.
Much of the produce used to go through Nogales, AZ and still does. During this same period, Arizona ports had 112,328 truckloads in 2007 and increased to 130,022 by 2012, a 16 percent hike. Additionally, at California ports there were 43,336 truckloads of produce crossing in 2007, which increased to 61,716 truckloads in 2012, up 42 percent.
Based on these trends of the last five years, a USDA study projects total Mexican imports at U.S. ports will hit 470,000 truckloads by 2020, an increase of 32 percent. Texas ports are projected to grow to 260,000 truckloads, a 62 percent increase.
There are also plans by Mexico to make improvements to Mexican Federal Highway 40 connecting Mazatlan and Reynosa, the latter, which is located just across the river from McAllen and Pharr, TX. This could increase Mexican produce imports to South Texas another 73 percent by 2020.
Texas produce and Mexican produce crossing into the Lower Rio Grande Valley – grossing about $3200 to Chicago.