Posts Tagged “New Jersey peach shipments”

New Jersey is Shipping Peaches in Good Volume

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New Jersey is one of the nation’s top growers of peaches, ranking in the top five in production in the U.S. most years, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. Producers annually harvest approximately 60 million pounds with a wholesale value of about $35 million on nearly 4,000 acres.

Larchmont Farms of Upper Pittsgrove, NJ is a 12th-generation farm owned by Tom Dunn and Charles and Keith Haines. Located on more than 800 acres, the farm grows high-quality peaches and other fruits, the release said. Larchmont Farms runs its entire operation on solar power and has all of its fruit packed in boxes that are made from 100% recycled paper, according to the release.

“The season is off to a great start, and we are anticipating an outstanding year,” Charles Haines of Lardchmont Farms in a New Jersey Department of Agriculture press release. “The weather we have had so far has been what we need. We take great pride in the steps we’ve taken in making our operation environmentally friendly and plan to continue a family business that started in colonial times.”


All of New Jersey’s peach crop is sold to the fresh market via supermarkets, farm markets, specialty produce stores, you-pick operations, and community farmers markets. Jersey peaches are shipped all over the eastern U.S. and eastern Canada.

According to the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council, yellow flesh comprises 90% of Jersey peaches, white flesh makes up 4%, yellow and white flesh nectarines are 6% and the newer doughnut, or flat peaches, make up less than 1%.

The first peach variety of New Jersey’s season is Sentry, followed by Gala, Flavorcrest, Loring and Red Haven, the release said. Next is the John Boy season followed by the Crest Haven, Gloria, Jersey Queen and Fayette varieties. The Encore and Laurol varieties wrap up the state’s peach season in mid-to-late September. White peaches are expected to begin shipping around the end of July and continue through mid-September.

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New Jersey Peach Loadings Should be Good Until Labor Day

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Good volume shipments of Jersey Fresh peaches should be available from very early July until mid September, according to the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council.

Bonnie Lundblad, chair of the Council said, “Our season usually begins with the yellow-fleshed variety Sentry around July 4, with a sprinkling of very early white and yellow fleshed peaches.  Our final shipments are around September 15, with the heaviest volume concluding around Labor Day.   The late season varieties include Encore, Autumn Glo, Flame Prince and the new variety Tiana.”

Most shipments are destined for New Jersey and the New England and mid Atlantic Regions, from mid-July through Labor Day.

Joe Nichols owner of Nichols Orchards, in Franklin Township on the southern end of Gloucester County reports a lighter than normal crop of peaches and nectarines.  Nichols a longtime member of NJPPC, feels he has maybe about 60% because of some spring low temperature injury.

We expect to have peaches and nectarines to wholesale throughout the summer.  Since we sell tree-ripened fruit, we expect a strong demand.”

John Maccherone, NJPPC member, with his father Santo John are owners of Circle M Farms in Salem County, New Jersey. They have a full crop of peaches and nectarines this season.  “We have many varieties of white and yellow-fleshed peaches and nectarines, most of which are being thinned for improved fruit size and quality,“ said Maccherone.   “We expect a much better season with good demand compared to 2021 when the pandemic hampered our marketing program.”  The Maccherones pack and wholesale under the Circle M label.  They also sell Circle M peach cider drink, growing in popularity at Eastern US Farm Markets. 

The New Jersey Peach Promotion Council is a 72-year-old voluntary organization of peach growers, wholesalers, distributors and allied industry that market products needed by the peach industry. 

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New Jersey Reported to be Having Best Peach Shipping Season in Years

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GLASSBORO, NJ —  New Jersey’s locally grown peaches are now available in supermarkets, community farmers markets and on farms, and New Jersey peach producers are celebrating a near-perfect growing season.  This is one of the best Jersey-peach seasons in years, growers report to the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council, the association representing the industry.

New Jersey’s Jersey Fresh peaches are marketed and shipped throughout the northeast and Canada under the labels Jersey Fruit, Atlantic Sunrise, Top Crop, Circle M Farms, Just Picked, Melicks Town Farm, Nichols Orchard. 

“The orchards got enough rain and sunshine, with no major late spring frost, to result in beautiful peaches with maximum size and flavor,” says Bonnie Lundblad, PPC chair.  Lundblad is also sales representative of Sunny Valley International, New Jersey’s largest peach marketer. 

“We had a good growing season and have peaches for wholesale and retail on our farm and in the farmers markets we supply,” says John Melick, owner of Melick’s Town Farms in Oldwick, Bridgewater and Califon.

New Jersey ranks fourth in the country for peach production, which averages 50 – 54 million pounds and is valued at $30-35-million. 

The Jersey Peach website www.jerseypeaches.com  includes a page for requesting further information and contacting grower/purveyors.  It also lists varieties, grower/shipper contacts, consumer tips on buying and handing, and recipes. Information is also available on Facebook.com/newjerseypeaches; and on Instagram newjerseypeaches

The New Jersey Peach Promotion Council is a it voluntary organization of growers, shippers, wholesalers and allied industries dedicated to maintaining a viable peach industry in the Garden State while preserving farmland.

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New Jersey Peach Shipments are Underway

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New Jersey ranks 3rd nationally in peach shipments, behind California (which produces more than all other states combined) and South Carolina. Georgia, The Peach State, ranks 4th.

New Jersey peach shipments got underway in light volume about a week ago.

Recent statistics published by the NJ Peach Promotion Council (NJPPC) estimate that 55 NJ growers are producing about 3300 acres of peaches and nectarines and should harvest between 50, and 55 million pounds of fruit in 2021.

The New Jersey Peach Promotion Council emphasizes tree thinning is necessary to not only improve size but also to keep the tree branches and shoots from breaking with a heavy crop, and even dying from overload, particularly when it is stressed from dry weather. and heat.

A mature peach tree may have 12,000 flowers or 10,000 little peaches but only needed 500 to 600 mature large fruit.

The NJPPC is a voluntary organization of growers, packers, shippers, marketers and allied industry dedicated to the orderly marketing and promotion of NJ Peaches. 

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New Jersey Peach Growers Looking at Early July to Start Shipping

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After an excellent winter and early spring with mild/ cold temperatures and abundant rainfall and snow, New Jersey Peach Growers anticipate an excellent crop of peach flowers, with full bloom in early April.  This bloom date would be historically earlier than normal, according to Jerry Frecon, Professor Emeritus at Rutgers Jersey in Southern New Jersey.

Santo John Maccherone, owner of Circle M Fruit Farms in Salem, and Vice Chair of the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council (NJPPC) and  Joe Nichols, owner of Nichols Orchards and grower of peaches in Franklin Township, Gloucester County, NJ. Both Maccherone and Nichols expect to be shipping peaches from early July into September.  Both sell wholesale to specialty markets and retailers.

Recent statistics published by the National Peach Council estimate NJ growers are producing about 5200 acres of peaches and nectarines and should harvest between 40 and 45 million pounds of fruit in 2021.  “We are always optimistic at this time of year,” said Maccherone, “but we still have a long way until we pick and market the fruit, and lots can happen which would reduce the crop.”

The NJPPC is a voluntary organization of growers, packers, shippers, marketers and allied industries dedicated to the orderly marketing and promotion of New Jersey Peaches.

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NJ Blueberry, Peach Shipments Look Good; NW Pear Loadings to be Average

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DSCN0814New Jersey blueberry shipments are in good volume, while peach shipments have started in the last few days….Meanwhile, Northwest pear shipments should be the best in four years.

Blueberry shipments got underway in mid-June and will run through the end of July for Sunny Valley International Inc. of Glassboro, NJ.

In 2016, the most recent year where statistics are available, New Jersey’s 30 million pounds accounted for 12 percent of total domestic blueberry shipments. New Jersey’s share of the U.S. market was 20 percent of domestic production in June and 26 percent in July.

Fresh blueberry output in New Jersey accounts for about 80 to 85 percent of the crop, with the most of the production coming out of Atlantic and Burlington counties.

Long term acreage trends show 2016 harvested acreage of blueberries in New Jersey was 9,300 acres, down from 10,000 in 2015 and 9,300 acres in 2014.

NJ Peach Shipments

New Jersey peach shipments started this week and should have decent volume until the season ends in mid-September.

Peach shipments in 2016 came from 4,700 acres, according to the USDA, unchanged from 2016 and up 100 acres from 4,600 acres in 2014.

Peach shipments from New Jersey in 2016 totaled 5.2 million pounds, or about 1 percent of domestic peach shipments that year.  New Jersey’s share of the domestic peach market was less than 1 percent in July, 3 percent in August, and 2 percent in September.

Northwest Pear Shipments

Pacific Northwest pear shipments are expected to be average this season with 18.8 million, 44-pound boxes following lighter crops four years in a row.

Pear shipments hit a record 21.69 million boxes in 2013, but every year since then the yield has been much lighter.  Hot weather causing fruit drop and contributing to decay called cork is blamed for at least partially being responsible for the lighter crops.

The 18. 9 million-box estimate is just 58,345 boxes less than the five-year average of 18.9 million boxes. It is 18 percent bigger than the 2017 crop, which will soon finish at close to 15.9 million boxes.

The forecast will be updated in mid-August. Right now, the breakdown by growing district is: Wenatchee, 8.6 million boxes; Hood River, 7 million; Yakima, 2.4 million; and Medford, 751,200 boxes.

Harvest is forecast to start with Starkrimson in Hood River on Aug. 3 and will finish in late September or early October in higher elevations of Hood River and Leavenworth at the upper end of the Wenatchee Valley.

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New Jersey Peach Growers Hope For Abundant, Normal Peach Season

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DSCN0610by NJ Peach Promotion Council

Glassboro NJ  — After a warmer than normal February and a cool March, New Jersey peach growers had a full bloom in mid-April and  New Jersey peach shipments will be getting underway by the Fourth of July.

Leonard Grasso, owner of Angelo Grasso and Son Farms with his father Angelo, grows peaches south of Mullica Hill, in Gloucester County, NJ.   “We are in good shape with all of our trees pruned, new trees planted, and anticipate a full crop of flowers,” stated Grasso.   “We also grow a variety of vegetable crops, which gives us a hedge against financial loss in case we get some flower injury from lower temperatures, or other adverse weather that might reduce our peach crop.   The Grassos expect to be marketing peaches from early July into September under the Top Crop label through the marketer Donio Inc in Hammonton. New Jersey.

“We continue to expand our peach and nectarine plantings and are optimistic about  a full crop of peaches and nectarines,” said Lewis DeEugenio, owner of Summit City Farms and Winery near Glassboro and president of Jersey Fruit Marketing Cooperative in Glassboro.  “We have a planting of the best new yellow-fleshed peaches and nectarines on our new farm on Rte 538 near Monroeville, NJ, which will produce its first big crop this year. We are always looking at new ways to market our Jersey Fruit label and this year have put in a new specialty pack line at Eastern Pro Pak in Glassboro that packs for us and other growers under the Jersey Fruit Brand.”

Recent statistics published by the National Peach Council estimate that NJ growers are producing about 5500 acres of peaches and nectarines and should harvest between 55, and 60 million pounds of fruit in 2018.  “We are always optimistic at this time of year,” said Maccherone.

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Fewer U.S. Cranberries This Season; NJ Peaches are Experiencing Increase

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IMG_2991+1Nationally, cranberry shipments will be down this season.  Meanwhile, favorable weather helps boost New Jersey to second place nationally in peach shipments.

Cranberry growers in Wisconsin are expected to have another big harvest this fall, although it will be less than last year when average yields reached an all-time high.

The USDA has released its latest forecast for the 2017 cranberry crop showing Badger State producers are projected to rake in 5.6 million barrels of the tart fruit, down nine percent from the 2016 crop.

The Wisconsin Cranberry Growers Association says producers will begin harvesting their crop in late September and continue through much of October.  Approximately five percent of the state’s cranberries will be sold as fresh fruit, with the remainder being frozen and stored for dried cranberries, juices, sauces and more.

Nationally, about 9.05 million barrels are forecast to be harvested, down six percent from 2016.  In Massachusetts, growers will harvest less than half of Wisconsin’s total production at 2.2 million barrels. Washington producers expect 2017 to be a good year due to favorable weather conditions.

NJ Peach Shipments

by New Jersey Department of Agriculture

TRENTON)  –The USDA’s August Crop Production Forecast for 2017 sees New Jersey peach shipments rising to second in the U.S.  The forecast, which is based on phone calls, mail, internet, and personal interviews with farmers in New Jersey and around the country, predicts state peach farmers will produce 48 million pounds of peaches this year.

“Conditions in New Jersey have been perfect for growing peaches this season, allowing farmers to have an extremely high yield of the juicy, sweet tree fruit,” New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher said. “We want people to know Jersey Fresh peaches are plentiful and available at supermarkets, farmers markets, and roadside stands. We appreciate the work the USDA does to keep produce buyers and consumers up to date on the current trends in the industry.”

New Jersey is on track to harvest approximately eight million more pounds of peaches in 2017 than it did last year, and is behind only California in peach production.  The Jersey peach season should continue through mid-September.

The USDA surveyed approximately 21,700 producers for the crop production report. The producers were asked questions about probable yield.  These growers will continue to be surveyed throughout the growing season to provide indications of average yields.

The August Crop Production report also forecasted a crop of 44 million pounds of apples for the Garden State, also up from last year. New Jersey cranberry producers expect to harvest 590,000 barrels, which would rank New Jersey third in the U.S. in cranberry production.

(Editor’s Note:  Both South Carolina and Georgia suffered severe crop losses this year due to a spring freeze, allowing New Jersey to come in second in peach volume.  Also, virtually all of New Jersey cranberry production is for the processed market, not fresh.)

 

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Loading Update on Western Veggies, Eastern “Blues”

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DSCN7473Salinas Valley vegetable shipments continue to struggle, while eastern blueberry loadings may finally get going this month.
It has been a less than stellar spring for central coast vegetable shipments due mostly to weather conditions.  In essence, Salinas Valley vegetable shipments are going to be trying at best heading into summer.  You’ll need to be alert when loading product.  There is everything from quality issues to inconsistent sizing of lettuce heads.
This situation is expected to continue through June, and perhaps through most of July.  Salinas vegetable shippers tend to plant about 40 percent less  product for summer because they face so much competition from various home grown season in the U.S. and Canada.  Other vegetables ranging from broccoli to cauliflower also are being affected, but to a lesser extent.
Salinas Valley vegetable and berry shipments – grossing about $4600 to Chicago.
Georgia Blueberry Shipments
Warmer weather, poor pollinating conditions and labor issues are all contributing to fewer blueberries currently coming out of the Southeastern U.S.  Georgia blueberry shipments will pick up by mid June.  The state has shipped nearly 90 million pounds of blueberries per year in the past, but in 2016, it will be well short of that number.  The longer growing season in this region may help offset an even greater decline in shipments.  Georgia has one of the longest seasons in the U.S., from mid-April to the middle of July.
Georgia’s season nearly mirrors the blueberry shipping seasons in a few other states, such as North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas.
Georgia blueberry shipments grossing about $2600 to Chicago.  Georgia vegetables grossing about 15 to 20 percent less.
NJ Fruit Shipments
After fewer blueberry shipments in 2015, New Jersey expects to rebound this year.  Initial loadings should get underway around June 10-11.  In 2013 New Jersey shipped 65 million pounds of “blues”, followed by 55 million pounds in 2014.  During those years (2013 and 2014) the state ranked seventh nationally in total blueberry volume.  However, the state slipped to seventh place in 2015 behind shipments from California and North Carolina.
About 87 percent of New Jersey blueberry shipments are delivered for the fresh market.
New Jersey peach shipments should begin around June 18th and continue well into July.  Loadings should continue through July and perhaps extend until the middle of August.  New Jersey ranks fourth in peach shipments behind California, South Carolina and Georgia.  While no forecast is out yet, weather factors are expected to reduce Jersey peach volume this season.

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Shipping Update: NJ produce, Mex Imports, Peruvian Asparagus

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DSCN3240+1+1From New Jersey, to Mexican imports in South Texas to the arrivals of Peruvian asparagus, here are some possible loading opportunities.

New Jersey Produce Shipments

New Jersey peach shipments are now moving in good volume.  There are nearly 5,000 acres of red and white peach tree orchards in New Jersey.

The Garden state also is shipping cucumbers, squash, peppers and beans, among other veggies.  Jersey planted 6,300 acres of sweet corn last year and similar acreage and volume is expected this year.

Peruvian Asparagus

As Peruvian asparagus growers move into their peak season, exporters are already ahead of the projected volumes for 2015.  Peru produces asparagus throughout the year thanks to a favorable climate.  Production areas are situated both in north and south of Peru, allowing exports to the United States after domestic shipments have finished.  Peru exported nearly 220 million pounds of fresh asparagus in 2014, which represented an increase of 6.84 percent over export volume in 2013.  The U.S. was the chief destination for fresh Peruvian asparagus, accounting for 60 percent of total volume.   “Grass” arrivals are primarily at ports on both U.S. coasts.

Mexican Lemon Shipments

Beginning in mid-August, imports of Mexican lemons will start with product crossing the border at McAllen, Tx, which is during the seasonal gap between the California coastal and desert growing regions.  Shipments through McAllen also offers a substantial savings on transportation for shipments to the Midwest and East Coast, compared to California.  Product will be available through mid-October, leading into the start of California desert shipments.

Mexican fruits, vegetables crossing into the Lower Rio Grande Valley – grossing about $4500 to New York City.

 

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