Posts Tagged “Mexican vegetables shipments”
Mexican produce shipments crossing the border at Nogales, AZ typically has its heaviest volume the first three months of each New Year and this time around looks no different.
West Mexico vegetables, most of which goes through Nogales for distribution around North American, is expected to be mostly normal.
The Fresh Produce Association of the Americans, based in Nogales, reported tropical storms during the growing season may slow the start of the season for some crops, but in total volumes are expected to be on track with previous years. Most years Nogales grows 1 to 3 percent in total volume.
Chamberlain Distributing Inc. of Nogales point to excessive rains that brought challenges with some crops in Sonora and Sinaloa, with some produce being affected more than others. Some seasons may even end sooner than usual, especially in Sonora, with items ranging from cucumbers to bell peppers and squash.
MAS Melons & Grapes of Rio Rico, AZ expresses optimism and notes most crops are looking good. The company is now winding down vegetables harvests from Caborca and Hermosillo. Harvest is not moving on to Colima, and will continue until about March. This means continuous shipments of watermelons, honeydews and mini watermelons lasting until mid-July.
Vamdervoet & Associates Inc. of Nogales has been shipping good volumes of honeydew, although Sonora production may end sooner than normal this season. The company report as many as 100 loads of watermelon a day has been crossing the border at Nogales.
Bernardi & Associates Inc. of Nogales admits quality hasn’t been the greatest on some Mexican vegetables since the season started last fall, but see that improving as the harvest moves along.
Del Campo Supreme Inc. of Nogales reports its tomato and pepper crops are looking good, despite delays in plantings due to rain. Still, the company expects to have normal volume this season. It expects to be shipping Mexican vegetables from mid December into May.
Imported Mexican produce volume has been much lower than normal due to rain and cold weather throughout the winter, plus a freeze at Christmas delayed plantings and tightened supplies of many items. However better weather is resulting in higher volume in February.
While Mexican produce shipments in late February were approaching normal, some items remain in much lighter volume. For example, bell peppers are expected to remain lighter than usual. Mexican watermelon shipments should remain good until the last half of March when production will be less. Yellow mangoes loadings have started within the past week, with volume picking up heading into March.
Mexican watermelon imports should hit good volume by mid-April. A similar situation is expected with honeydews and cantaloupes. Steady Mexican vegetable shipments are expected to continue with zucchini, yellow, gray, acorn, butternut and spaghetti squash.
There is now good volume with imports through Nogales with tomatoes on the vine, beefsteak, roma, grape, yellow grape and cocktail tomatoes, yellow bell peppers and organic round and roma tomatoes and eggplant.
Imported Mexican produce through Nogales – grossing about $3200 to Chicago.
Imported Mexican produce through Texas’ Lower Rio Grande Valley – grossing about $3900 to New York City.