Posts Tagged “melon shipments”
Although there are lettuce shipments towards the end of the seasons from the Salinas Valley and the Huron area of the San Joaquin Valley, light loadings of the product started late last week from the Yuma district of Arizona as the annual fall transition is underway.
Lettuce volume from the desert is very light and will be increasing right up to Thanksgiving (November 23rd).
Doubling previous informal estimates, a new study says Arizona’s leafy greens industry delivers $2 billion in annual sales. The study, by researchers at the University of Arizona’s Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, estimated a sales contribution of $2 billion for the Arizona leafy greens industry.
“We examined the whole value chain, including on-farm and post-harvest activities to understand the broad scope of the industry’s contribution to the Arizona economy,”Ashley Kerna Bickel, key researcher and contributor to the report, said in a news release.
Called “Arizona Leafy Greens: Economic Contributions of the Industry Cluster,” the study examined 2015 agricultural cash receipts for on-farm production and post-harvest activities.
The release said the report was funded by the Arizona Leafy Greens Food Safety Committee. Authors included Kerna Bickel, Dari Duval and George Frisvold.
For purposes of the study, the leafy greens industry was defined to include on-farm activities and also cooling, cutting, washing, packing, processing, storing and shipping.
In addition to the $2 billion sales figure, the study found:
- Arizona is the No. 2 producer of lettuce (iceberg, leaf and romaine) nationally;
- The state’s Yuma County ranks second among U.S. counties in harvested lettuce and spinach acreage;
- From late November to mid-March, Arizona supplies 80 percent of the nation’s lettuce, with an average of 1 billion pounds of lettuce shipped per month;
- Leafy greens have accounted for an average of 17 percent of the state’s total agricultural receipts each year since 2010;
- Nearly 27,000 individuals were employed either directly or indirectly by the Arizona leafy greens industry in 2015, with 16.9 million hired labor hours needed for on-farm operations alone; and
- The leafy greens industry’s total contribution to Arizona’s gross state product was nearly $1.2 billion in 2015.
While Yuma vegetable shipments are too few to count right now, Arizona melon shipments (cantaloupe and honeydew) are totalling over 250 loads per week.
Stone fruit shipments, as well as melons are underway from California’s San Joaquin Valley. Plus, we take a look at South African citrus imports.
California stone fruit loadings are in steady volume from the Central and Southern San Joaquin Valley. Volume for a combination of peaches, plums and nectarines is averaging around 650 truc loads weekly.
Demand for California peaches has been boosted by a short crop on the East Coast. Georgia lost 70 percent of it peaches this season due to adverse spring weather. As of June 25, 81 percent of Georgia’s peach crop had been harvested, compared to 56 percent a year earlier and a five-year average of 55 percent.
Melon Shipments
Western cantaloupe and honeydew shipments in recent weeks have been slashed by as much as 60 percent due to triple digit temperatures. It has basically ended shipments from California’s Imperial Valley and parts of Arizona.
In the San Joaquin Valley, melon loadings are finally starting to return to normal following the excessive heat. One of those adversely affected was Couture Farms of Huron, CA, which grows and ships honeydew and specialty melons.
South African Citrus Imports
by Summer Citrus from South Africa
CITRUSDAL, South Africa – Kicking off the season strong, Summer Citgrus from South Africa (SCSA) recently announced the arrival of its first vessel of citrus – containing mostly Navel oranges and Easy Peelers – to the United States. Combining efforts with supply chain partners like Holt Logistics and the Port of Philadelphia enables SCSA to provide a steady supply of fresh citrus to the U.S. during the summer months when domestic supplies are not in season.
“We’re excited that Summer Citrus from South Africa producers have once again teamed up with Seatrade to bring dedicated shiploads of fresh and delicious citrus from sunny South Africa to eager consumers in the U.S.,” Howard Posner, general manager of Seatrade USA, said.
SCSA’s second vessel of South African citrus arrived July 5th.
Here is a look at a number of different produce loading opportunities from around the United States.
Washington Fruit Shipments
Both of the new crops from apples and pears are increasing in volume from the Yakima and Wenatchee valleys. Over 2,000 truck load equivalents of apples are being shipped weekly.
Washington fruit – grossing about $4300 to Dallas.
Michigan Apples
Michigan apple shipments are moving in steady volume from week to week, averaging about 250 truck loads — mostly from Western Michigan.
Melon Shipments
Cantaloupe and honeydew loads, primarily from the Westside district in the San Joaquin Valley of California have been very good this year, although a seasonal decline is now underway. Still, something like 1,000 loads of cantaloupe should be shipped this week. Meanwhile, the new season harvest has just got underway from Central Arizona for both cantaloupe and honeydew. The new season from the Yuma should be starting the second week of October.
San Joaquin Valley melons and grapes – grossing about $5100 to Atlanta.
Texas Grapefruit
In South Texas with the fall season, comes grapefruit shipments. The harvest has just got underway and it will be the last half of October before there are volume loadings. Literally dozens of different tropical fruits and vegetables from Mexico are crossing into the Lower Rio Grand Valley for distribution mostly to the Midwest and eastern portions of the U.S. and Canada. However, volume is pretty light on most items. Mexican limes are averaging about 375 truck loads weekly, while vine ripe tomatoes account for around 500 truck loads per week.
Mexican fruit and vegetables through South Texas – grossing about $3600 to New York City.
Colorado Produce Shipments
San Luis Valley potato loadings are amounting to about 750 truck loads per week. Northeast Colorado has a sizeable dry onion crop each year. There is currently very light movement that will be increasing in the weeks ahead.
Colorado potatoes – grossing about $2100 to Chicago.
South Georgia Vegetable Shipments
Harvest has just started, or will get underway shortly for fall vegetables ranging from sweet corn, to cucumbers, greens, bell peppers and squash. Even when volume kicks in later this month, this is fall volume, and typically involves multiple pick ups.
California produce shippers are looking to a spring and summer of good produce shipments, while mostly avoiding talk of bumper crops.
It should be a decent year for produce haulers looking to transport items ranging from stone fruit, to table grapes, cherries, melons, apples, citrus or berries. While El Nino didn’t happen, at least to the extent many thought it would, there has been average rains in much of the state that have helped to fight, but not eliminate the California drought. Adequate labor also continues to be a concern.
Here’s a look at California produce shipments in the coming months.
Apple Shipments
California apple shipment should get underway the week of July 20th with galas and continue through September. Fujis loadings should be available from mid-August through October. Granny Smith apple movement should be from late August through December; Pink Lady apple loadings will occur from mid-October through December.
About 1.8 million boxes of apples will be shipped, with around two-thirds of the volume marketed by Primavera Marketing of Linden, CA.
Berry Shipments
Strawberry shippers from Ventura County are in a seasonal decline. However, good volume is predicted for Watsonville starting in May and will continue into August. Strawberries out of Santa Maria have started and will continue through July. Raspberries have a similar season, although there is much less volume with shipping gaps. California will ship blueberries through May, before loadings shift to the Pacific Northwest.
Melon Shipments
California cantaloupe, honeydew and watermelon shipments should be in good supply this summer. Prior to California, there will be cantaloupe loadings starting out of Yuma, AZ. This is followed by the melon harvest shifting to Huron, CA around June 20th.
Stone Fruit Shipments
Loadings for stone fruit shippers from the Southern San Joaquin Valley are just starting and will continue for the next four months. Leading items are peaches, plums and nectarines.
Citrus Shipments
Late-season navel oranges and mandarins continue to be shipped for a few more weeks. Valencias get underway in July. Lemon loadings are virtually over in the Central San Joaquin Valley. Loadings are now shifting to production areas on the coast.
Orange and mandarin shipments – grossing about $5000 to Atlanta.
Grape Shipments
Coachella Valley grape shippers should start the first week of May and continue through most of June. Shipments will then shift to the Arvin district (Bakersfield) around July 1.
Vegetable Shipments
There is light but increasing volume with vegetable shipments from both Santa Maria and Salinas. Items range from head lettuce, to leaf lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, romaine, celery, kale, parsley and cilantro, among others. There should be good volume by early May.
Santa Maria vegetable shipments – grossing about $6500 to New York City.
From Santa Mara, CA vegetables, to Mexican imports and a USDA update on melon availablity, here are some shipping opportunities for produce haulers.
Vegetable shippers in California’s Santa Maria district see stable shipments this spring, even though the region didn’t get as thorough a winter soaking from El Niño as forecasts suggested. The California drought persists. Santa Maria started loading mixed leaf lettuce in early March, nearly two weeks earlier than usual. Salinas started at the end of the month.
Broccoli and cauliflower shipments are underway in Santa Maria, while celery has in light volume, but should be increasing this week. Santa Maria produce shipments also now include strawberries, celery, romaine, romaine hearts, Tuscan kale, red kale, green kale, cilantro and parsley.
Santa Maria vegetable shipments – grossing about $6500 to New York City.
Mexican Produce Imports
At Nogales, border crossing include Mexican vine-ripes, romas, grapes and cherries, which continue through April. With the finish of tomatoes, the new Mexican table grape season launches with crossings at Nogales and McAllen, Tx. Vine ripe tomato shipments from Baja California also begin crossing near San Diego.
Carrot shipments from the Bakersfield, CA area have shifted to the Imperial Valley.
Mexican vegetable shipments through Nogales – grossing about $2000 to Dallas.
Melon Shipments
The USDA’ Market News Service reported as of April 5th the “difference in pounds from average” as follows: Mexico/5.3 million pounds, up 11 percent; Honduras/1.8 million pounds, up 105 percent; Costa Rica/780,000 pounds, up 166 percent; Nicaragua/-468,000 pounds, down 100 percent; Florida/-680,000 pounds, down 100 percent; and Guatemala/-1.25 million pounds, down 21 percent.
Florida watermelon shipments are increasing, along with numerous vegetables.
South Florida watermelon shipments, vegetables – grossing about $1000 to Atlanta.
As imports of melons from Central America begin to wind down, domestic loadings will become available from California and Arizona, as well as with melons crossing the border from Mexico.
Cantaloupe. honeydew and watermelon shipments from Arizona and Mexico are expected to start earlier than normal this year as imports from Guatemalan and Honduran come to a close in early May.
Various melons from California’s Imperial Valley should start shipping in late April and hit peak volume in May, perhaps its earliest start ever. This will be closely followed by melon shipments originating around May 10-15 from Yuma and Maricopa, Az. From there cantaloupe and honeydew loadings will start from California’s Westside district in the San Joaquin Valley around the 4th of July.
California Onion Shipments
California onion shipments from the Imperial Valley should get underway in mid April, lasting about five to six weeks. Normal acreage in the 10,000-acre range is being reported. The Imperial Valley should have onions through May, when the harvest shifts to the San Joaquin Valley. The central valley had less acreage last year, primarily to the California drought.
Southern California citrus and avocado shipments – grossing about $3700 to Chicago.
Here is a glimpse at shipments on Northwest pears, as well as California melon loadings, and finally tomato shipments out of Southern California and Mexico. Finally, are produce rates too high as one shipper claims?
Pear Shipments
The Northwest pear shipping forecast has been revised for the upcoming 2014 harvest, with 20.2 million, 44-pound cartons now expected to be packed by season’s end. This estimate is two per cent larger than the five-year average but six per cent smaller than last year’s record shipments. This year’s initial spring projection showed a crop of 18.7 million cartons.
Shipments have been underway about a month, and with no significant weather issues so far, and harvest is expected to extend into mid-October. Green Anjou pears are expected to make up 53 per cent of the total 2014 crop, with the Bartlett and Bosc varieties likely to yield 22 per cent and 15 per cent respectively. The organic portion of the Northwest crop has increased by around three per cent, with around 976,700 cartons.
Melon Shipments
In California, Westside district melon shipments from the San Joaquin Valley should continue into mid October, although volume will be much smaller that last month of the season. Quality is reported excellent, however, shippers are complaining about movement not being as good as it should. A big crop is reported, so could it be the market is a little high and consumers are resisting?
California Tomato Shipments
Further south in California, tomato shipments are in full swing with another large crop moving from the San Diego area and Mexico’s Baja California. One tomato shipper recently described freight rates on tomatoes as “ridiculous.” He said it was costing $4 to $5 per box to ship his tomatoes.
Here are some loading opportunities ranging from Southeastern Georgia’s Vidalia onions to pear shipments from the Northwest, and cantaloupe and honeydew volume from California.
Fewer Vidalia onions have been shipped thus far this season. About 1.5 million 40-pound packages had been shipped through May, about 40 percent compared to by the same time last year. Shipments of fresh Vidalias finished in early June now loadings are coming from good supplies of onions from storage. Vidalias out of storage should be available through Labor Day.
Pear Shipments
Fewer shipments of Northwest pears are being forecast for the up coming season starting in late July. About 18.7 million boxes are expected to be hauled out of Washington and Oregon in the 2014-15 season, 13 percent less than in 2013-14 and 6 percent less than the five-year. The harvest should wind down in mid-October. Green anjous are expected to make up 53 percent of the Northwest volume, with bartletts at 23 percent and boscs 14 percent.
Yakima Valley apples, pears and cherries – grossing about $4300 to Chicago.
Melon Shipments
Shipments of cantaloupe and honeydew from Central California (Westside District) could get underway anywhere from a few days, to a couple of weeks early, depending on the field. There will be light volume the first two or three weeks of July, with much better movement beginning in late July and continuing into October. There has been a reduction of acreage in some of the earlier growing districts such as Huron and an increase in plantings farther north in such areas as Los Banos and Turlock.
Central San Joaquin Valley fruit – grossing about $8800 to New York City – higher towards the end of the week.