Posts Tagged “spuds”
USA potato loads will be up eight percent over a year ago when this season ends around August. The 991,500 acres of spuds is six percent more than athe previous season. Of course, Idaho shipments easily lead all other states, but there are significant loadings available in Washington state, Oregon, Wisconsin, the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota, among others.
Idaho is shipping about 1750 truckload equivalents of potatoes per week, although a greater percentage is shipped by rail than most other spud production areas….By contrast, Colorado’s San Luis Valley is moving about 1000 loads per week, all by truck.
Southeastern Greens
Central and southern areas of Georgia are loading collards, kale, mustard and turnip tops for the holidays. Loads of greens should continue from Georgia into March or April, depending on the weather. Broccoli also is being shipped.
Chilean Imported Grapes
While Chilean grapes are starting to arrive in the USA anytime now, it will be late January before good volume and loading opportunities are available at USA ports. Grapes arriving at such ports as Wilmington, NC; Philadelphia, and Long Beach, CA are shipped throughout the states and into Canada, with volume expected to top last year.
Georgia vegetables – grossing about $2800 to Boston.
Idaho potatoes – about $5400 to New York
Colorado potatoes – about $2000 to San Antonio.
As we move further into spring and there are shipping gaps with some fruits 
and vegetables, one of the most consistent items on a year around basis are potatoes. They certainly don’t always pay the highest of freight rates, but they are dependable, and usually less perishable; meaning less risk to the hauler and hopefully less chance of dealing with “claim happy” receivers looking to shaft you with a unfair deduction or rejection.
All potato shipping areas combined around the country are loading over 4,700 trucklload equivalents of spuds on average per week right now. Idaho is accounting for around 1750 truckload equivalents weekly. Other leading states currently shipping spuds are Colorado’s San Luis Valley, the Columbia Basin in Washington state and the nearby Umatilla Basin in Oregon, as well as South Florida and Central Wisconsin. Much fewer shipments are occurring from Western Michigan, Aroostrock County, Maine, as well as from the Imperial and O’Neill areas of Nebraska and the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnestoa.
Twin Falls Idaho area – grossing about $5300 to New York City
San Luis Valley – $1600 to Dallas.
South Florida – $2700 to Baltimore
NOTE: The new U.S. potato season usually kicks off around late July or August. A peek at the upcoming year for potatoes shows potentially good news if you haul the product, or if you are a consumer. Potato farmers in the Northwest once again can’t resist the urge (or is it greed?) to plant an additional 30,000 acres of spuds for the 2012-13 season. That will probably more loading opportunities and lower retail prices. It could also mean a disasterous season for growers if too many spuds end up in the distribution pipeline.
When the price of gasoline, diesel fuel and other energy products go up, it 
affects everything else in our economy. Fuel prices are killing consumers — and truckers. It is devastating to those involved in transportation because it costs more to deliver products, including produce from shipping points to warehouses, and warehouses to your supermarket.
Consumers also get a double whammy on buying fresh fruits and vegetables. Not only does it cost farmers more in fertilizers, pesticides, etc., but everyone is passing their costs on to cover their increased costs. Produce prices also are affected more by weather conditions than many products.
Just about everything in your local produce department is costing more. Just two examples are potatoes and blueberries, but for different reasons.
Why is there a good chance potatoes in your local produce department will be costing more? Primarily due to poor eating habits. The demand is up for potatoes from the folks that process them for french fries in the U.S. and for dehydrated potatoes being exported to other countries. Thus, the processors are buying up potatoes that would normally be destined for the fresh market. With reduced amounts of fresh potatoes in your favorite supermarket, expect prices to rise and be higher than they normally would be until the new crop of potatoes begin appearing around August.
However, do not despair. One thing you can count on with potatoes is the irresistable urge of potato farmers to over produce. Potatoes are known for bringing financial “feasts” or “famine” to the growers. They’ll make a bundle one year when the crop is in short supply (and retail prices are high), then the next year the farmers and other investors will pump money into acreage increases. Unless Mother Nature takes care of things through inclement weather, disease etc., there will be too many potatoes on the market, which is good for consumers because of the lower prices.
Now for blueberries. Highly perishable, unlike potatoes, these berries are much more susceptable to freeze damage and other “acts of God” activities. Freezes several weeks ago ranging from Florida to Georgia and North Carolina are expected to reduce blueberry production from those areas, which means higher prices for “blues” at retail.
Late season blueberries from Chile are having quality problems as the season ends in early April. Florida “blues” are now available, but lighter supplies mean higher supermarket prices. To help cover the shortage, you’ll be seeing 4.4 ounce containers of bluesberries offered in stores, instead of 6 ounce containers when supplies are more readily available.