Posts Tagged “Washington apple shipments”
One should know summertime has arrived when Michigan vegetable shipments are moving into good, normal volume…..Some Washington apple shipments grossing a $1000 more than others.
Following a chilly spring, weather has warmed and crops have really been coming on. Buurma Farms of Gregory, MI started with light volume the last week of May with radishes, which soon were followed by cilantro, parsley, beets and celery.
Van Solkema Produce of Byron Center, MI is just getting underway with squash and cabbage, with initial loadings of celery coming just after the Fourth of July. Soon to follow will be sweet corn and cucumbers. Next will be brussel sprouts sometime during the last half of August.
Superior Sales of Hudsonville, MI handles grown green cabbage which begins any day now. By the last week of June there will be beets, bok choy, napa cabbage, zucchini and yellow squash. Sweet corn program shipments should start the third week of July.
Leitz Farms of Sodus, MI is now starting cucumbers, with blueberries getting underway next week, while grape tomatoes kick off around July 15 and romas and round tomatoes around July 25.
Naturipe Berry Growers, based in Salinas, CA, should begin shipments of Michigan blueberries before the Fourth of July.
Riveridge Produce Marketing of Sparta, MI launches its sweet cherry the first week of July, prune plums beginning August 10th, and early varieties apples in August.
Washington Apple Shipments
by Stemilt Growers
WENATCHEE, Wash. – The sweetest apple around is stepping into the spotlight thanks to Stemilt Growers’ new summertime promotion. The company is marketing its Sweet Summer Fuji Fest now through August with its finest and sweetest Fuji apples of the season.
Apples remain a key category in the produce department during the summer months. A Stemilt Fruit Tracker™ analysis of Nielsen scan data from June through August 2017 found apples to contribute 4.4 percent of total produce sales on average in the U.S. Fuji was the second top selling apple during the summer season in 2017. It accounted for 16.7 percent of apple category volume and 15.8 percent of category sales.
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Washington apple, pear and cherry shipments are grossing about $7200 to New York City, with a few loads being reported as much as $1000 more.
A visit by “Jack Frost” last spring suckered punch Michigan apple growers and the result will be fewer loading opportunities in the new season set to start soon.
Michigan apple shipments for the upcoming season have taken a significant hit due to a frost last May. It is expected to result in nearly 30 percent fewer truck loads from the from 2016 17-shipping season.
While the official USDA forecast will come out August 10th, the industry’s Premier 2017 Apple Production Estimate pegs the Michigan crop at 20 million (42-pound) cartons, off 29 percent from a year ago and 8 percent less than the five-year average.
Among the biggest losers from the spring cold were jonagolds and McIntosh, which suffered significant frost damage on May 8. Having much better luck were galas, Honeycrisp and fuji apples.
Riveridge Produce Marketing Inc. of Sparta, MI is among the state’s largest apple shippers. The company expects about three-quarters of a full crop.
Initially, the USDA estimates 27.98 million cartons of fresh and processed fruit for Michigan apples.
Total fresh Michigan apple shipments through early July were nearly 9 million cartons, with most of the fresh apples from the old shipped by mid-July.
First harvest of paulareds and gingergold apples is expected around the third week of August.
U.S. Apple Shipments
The USDA in its June forecast — the final one for the 2016-17 — the agency raised its 2016 estimate for Washington apple shipments by 8 percent compared with the August 2016 estimate. The USDA also raised its estimate for 2016 U.S. apple production from 248 million (42-pound) cartons in August 2016 to its final estimate of 268 million cartons.
The Premier estimate shows the 2017 U.S. apple crop at 255.57 million cartons, which is down 5 percent from the final USDA estimate for the 2016 crop of 268.4 million cartons.
The 2017 Premier production estimate for Washington state calls for production of 165 million cartons in 2017, down 5.3 percent from 174.3 million cartons produced in 2016 but 9 percent higher than the five-year average. About 80 percent of Washington apples are shipped fresh.
by Northwest Cherry Growers
Over 75 growers, shippers and field team leaders from across the Northwest Cherry industry met recently to discuss the 2017 cherry crop.
This collective group meets annually to discuss the developing crop potential across the growing districts within each of the 5 member states, and formulates a crop estimate based on attendee input. The 5-State estimate is often the most accurate look at the crop as it is in real time, provided by growers who have walked out of their orchards and into this meeting. It does not, however, take into account the annual field team data model and historical algorithms with which we project the NWC’s 4 rounds of estimates.
The round table estimate for the Northwest 2017 sweet cherry crop is 227,000 metric tons or 22.7 million 20 lb. equivalent boxes. That estimate would put the coming crop 8% larger than last year’s 20.9 million box season. This crop projection allows for substantial promotional opportunities (and heavy shipments) all season long – late June through August!
Extended bloom and cool spring weather indicate a longer season, stretching from mid-June through the end of August. for cherry shipments. The 2017 shipping season should last between 90 and 100 days! Significant volume into the month of August is anticipated.
According to grower reports, early varieties such as Chelan and Santina are currently on track for similar crops to last season’s record early variety shipments. This strengthens the expectations that once harvest in the Northwest begins, it should accelerate at a rapid velocity. The attending group in general expects to see harvest begin in the June 12th to 15th window. Much of Washington’s Bing acreage didn’t set in 2016, but the orchards have rebounded with a slightly larger than average bloom in response this Spring. Fruit is well-spread throughout the trees and the regions – which bodes well for timing and quality.
The Northwest Rainier crop (including all yellow-fleshed sub-varieties) is reported as looking strong, with many of the growers estimating increases of 20-25% over last year. The 2015 and 2016 Rainier crops were strikingly similar, and both finished around 1.8 million 15-pound boxes. We expect to see plenty of fruit in July this year, including around National Rainier Cherry Day on July 11th.
Washington apple shipments – grossing about $4100 to Chicago.
U.S. fresh apples remaining in storages to be shipped for the 2016-17 season are up by double digits.
Apples remaining to be shipped as of December 1st were 120.3 million (42-pound) boxes, 13 percent above from a year ago and 12 percent higher than the five-year average of 107.5 million boxes. Total fresh crop shipments for Washington state are now expected to hit 137.88 million boxes. That is nearly 500,000 boxes above the November estimate.
The U.S. Apple Association storage report shows total Washington fresh holdings on December 1st at about 104 million boxes, or about 86 percent of total apples remaining to be shipped in the U.S..
U.S. fresh red delicious supplies on hand were 35.4 million boxes, up 26 percent from a year ago. Gala inventories in the U.S. were 22.9 million boxes, up 28 percent from a year ago. Honeycrisp holdings in the U.S. were 5.58 million boxes, up 29 percent from last year.
Among varieties with reduced volume on hand, U.S. granny smiths at 12.1 million boxes, off 15 percent from a year ago. U.S. golden delicious inventories of 7.2 million boxes were down nine percent compared with a year ago.
Washington Apple Shipments
The 2016 Washington crop is well short of the record 140 million-carton crop of 2014. However, Washington fresh apple shipments are likely eclipse the 2014 record crop in the next few years. In fact, 140-million-box crops are expected to become normal, with the big crop years hitting the 150 million to 160 million box range.
Variety Trends
Looking ahead to future shipping season said some observers believe with rising volume of new proprietary or club apple varieties, it may start to put pressure on gala apples, in addition to hurting retail shelf space for jonagold, braeburn and cameo varieties.
There seems to be a growing belief among many observers that as the apple industry moves into these new premium varieties, gala will be the next one to be hit.
Washington apple and pear shipments from the Yakima and Wenatchee valleys – grossing about $4400 to Chicago; $6600 to New York City.
Western produce shipments out of California, Washington and Arizona are making their typical fall season moves.
We are about a month into the fall produce shipping season and it is very much still in a transitional period for fresh fruit and vegetable shipments. Some items are increasing in volume, others are in a seasonal decrease, yet we have some products that are a few weeks, if not months away from changes – meanwhile remaining in a fairly steady amount of shipments from week to week.
California Produce Shipments
Table grape shipments out of the San Joaquin Valley in recent years have been one of the more steady, reliable items for hauling – with generally good quality that certainly reduces issues with claims or deductions in freight paid. This situation should continue for another six to eight weeks before a seasonal decline takes place making way for imported grapes led by Chile. California’s late season grape volume is averaging over 1900 truck loads per week…..The Central Joaquin Valley also is having consistent loadings with mature green and romas tomatoes – around 650 loads weekly. A little further south in Kern County, California carrots are averaging about 375 truck load equivalents per week.
It has been a rather ho-hum shipping season for vegetables out of the Salinas Valley. Still, loadings have been pretty consistent lately and should remain so for a few more weeks before a seasonal decline. Among the larger volume items are head lettuce, romaine, celery, broccoli and cauliflower. These five items combined are averaging over 3700 truck loads per week.
California grapes – grossing about $6200 to New York City.
Washington Apple Shipments
Apple loadings out of the Yakima and Wenatchee valleys have yet to hit stride in the new season, but are increasing on a weekly basis. This week about 500 truck load equivalents should be moved. Pear shipments from the same area also are increasing.
Washington apples and pears – grossing about $4200 to Chicago.
Arizona Produce Shipments
As the Westside district in the San Joaquin Valley comes to a conclusion for melon shipments led by cantaloupe and honeydew, the fall transition to central and western Arizona is underway. Arizona cantaloupe volume is on the rise, and honeydew will follow in a couple of weeks.
The initial outlook for new season shipments of Washington state apples and North Carolina sweet potatoes are looking good, with increases in loadings expected for both.
Washington apple shipments for the fresh market are expected to hit nearly 133 million carton this season . If you include apples for processing it climbs to 168 million cartons, which was be a massive 15.7 percent increase over last season. This would represent 64 percent of the nation’s apple volume.
Shipped in 40-pound cartons, the fresh crop is up 15 percent from last year’115 million boxes. However this would be down 6 percent from 2014’s record 141.8 million boxes.
Washington growers typically begin harvesting in early August and continues into November, but due to warm growing conditions the crop is coming on a week or two early. The forecast also could be affected as we journey into the season due to several months of variable weather which can affect the final season’s crop total.
The red delicious variety remains the biggest-producer accounting for 25 percent of total production. Galas are at 23 percent fujis at 14 percent,with granny smiths at 13 percent. This season honeycrisps are forecast at 7 percent and cripps pinks — also known as Pink Lady apples — are at 4 percent.
Yakima Valley apples – grossing about $4200 to Dallas.
Sweet Potato Shipments
Depending upon the growing operation, harvest of North Carolina sweet potatoes for the new season will get underway anywhere from August 15th to the 25th. However, the old crop from the 2015-16 season will continue to be shipped into September. However, old crop supplies are dwindling. This will probably result in some shippers shipping uncured sweet potatoes from the new crop. Just make sure your customers are aware you’ll be delivering uncured product, since cured sweet potatoes are preferred. The new season with cured sweet potatoes should be in good volume by early October.
The outlook on size of the North Carolina crop hasn’t been issued yet, but early indications are it will be as large, if not a little larger than last season.
A week ago you were presented a smorgasbord of produce hauling opportunities from around the county. Well, here’s Part II ranging from Mexican crossings into the Lower Rio Grand Valley of Texas to Northwest blueberry loadings, Wisconsin potatoes – and more.
South Texas Produce Shipments
Mexican produce shipments crossing the border into Pharr, Tx cover a lot of items ranging from citrus to tropical fruit and vegetables. However, no one item has real heavy volume at this time. Among the heaviest volume commodities are: avocados hitting about 675 truck loads per week, but volume is increasing; mangos with about 500 truck loads a week and limes at about 450 trucks load each week.
Around 550 truck loads of vine ripe, as well roma tomatoes are crossing the border weekly.
There’s also many other products coming into South Texas, but in much lighter volume ranging from lemons to papayas, broccoli, carrots and cucumbers.
Mexican produce crossing into South Texas – grossing about $2400 to Chicago.
Wisconsin Potato Shipments
Loadings of the old 2015-16 russet potato crop had in a fast seasonal decline. Meanwhile, the central part of the state has just started shipping a few of the 2016-17 potato crop, but we’re another month of so away of good volume.
Northwest Blueberry Shipments
Blueberry shipments are increasing from both Oregon and Washington state, as well as from British Columbia.
Washington Apple Shipments
The consistent item in the Northwest is typically apples, especially since Washington easily lead the nation in apple shipments. Even though it is very late in 2015-16 shipping season, Washington is still average over 650 truckloads each week.
Yakima Valley apples – grossing about $4600 to Dallas.
Watermelon Shipments
A week ago we cover Midwest watermelon hauling opportunities, here are some more.
California’s central San Joaquin Valley is moving around 350 truck loads per week. On the east coast, North Carolina may be your best bet loading around 230 trucks loads of watermelons a week.
Both eastern Texas and western Oklahoma combing to ship nearly 500 trucks of watermelons per week.
Here are shipping updates on for Northwest potato shipments starting soon, as well as U.S apple shipments that are winding down before the new crop is ready.
Potato shipments from the Northwest could get underway a week or more earlier than usual this season.
Unlike a year ago when drought and triple digit heat was hitting potato fields, weather this year has been much more favorable. Columbia Basin potato shipments from Washington and Oregon should get underway in late July. That’s a significant change from last year when both potatoes and tree fruits suffered from heat stress.
While estimates have not yet been released on projected volume many see similar volume to last year and probably more. Because of great growing conditions there are concerns of oversupply as shipments take off in August and September.
The great growing conditions in the Northwest includes Idaho, easily the nation’s largest potato shipper.
For Washington’s Skagit Valley potatoes, one of the later starting regions in the Pacific Northwest, is expected to start earlier this year. Harvesting could begin as early as August 15th. For the past few years, Labor Day has been a more typical kickoff.
Apple Shipments
About 238 million bushels of U.S.-grown apples were grown in the U.S. in 2015, 12% fewer the current season that is winding down in the next month or so.
The July estimate, the last one of the 2015-16 season from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, was also 1% lower than the five-year average and 2% lower than a preseason estimate, according to an analysis of the data by the Vienna, Va.-based U.S. Apple Association.
The estimate was higher, however, than the 235 million bushels forecasted at U.S. Apple’s 2015 annual marketing conference.
Shipments by industry leader Washington fell from 174 million last season to 142 million bushels this season.
Washington’s 2015 total was also 4% below the five-year average, and 8.3 million bushels lower than the 2015 USDA preseason estimate.
Shipments from industry No. 3 Michigan also fell, from 24.4 million to 23.7 million bushels. That was 3% less than last year but 14% above the five-year average and comparable to the preseason USDA estimate.
The second and fourth largest U.S. shippers, New York and Pennsylvania, both saw volumes increase in 2015.
New York jumped from 30.8 million to 32.4 million bushels, Pennsylvania from 11.7 million to 12.4 million bushels.
New York’s total was 5% above last season and 13% above the five-year average, Pennsylvania’s 5% above last season and 7% above the five-year average.
The final USDA estimate for New York was 6.2 million bushels, or 24%, higher than its 2015 preseason estimate.
Washington apple shipments – grossing about $4000 to Chicago.
Here’s an update on Washington apples shipments, as well as Florida tomato shipments and Florida orange shipments.
Washington apple shipments now shows the total crop remaining in storages at 116.7 million boxes, down a fraction from 116.9 million a month ago and 117.1 million on January 1st. Record apple shipments occurred in 2014 totaling 141.8 million boxes.
The 2015 crop is 54 percent, 62.9 million boxes, shipped versus 54 percent a year ago and 56.7 percent two years ago. Weekly shipments are averaging a healthy 2.5 million boxes.
Florida Tomato Shipments
Abnormal winter storms have caused shortages of all Florida grown produce. Damaging winds, heavy rains and even tornadoes have crossed the state nearly every week since the holidays. About 80 percent of the tomatoes in the U.S. are currently coming from Mexico. Meanwhile, Florida production and shipments of tomatoes should increase significantly by Mid April.
Florida Orange Shipments
The USDA 2015-16 Florida orange shipping estimate has increased 3 percent to 71 million, though it is still well below the 96.8 million boxes of oranges moved during the 2014-15 season. A 2 million box rise in Valencias to 35 million accounted for the increase, while early and mid-season varieties stayed at 36 million boxes. Florida citrus officials say its citrus crops remain in a “crisis” situation due to disease issues.
The USDA’s estimate of the 2015-16 Florida grapefruit crop also rose slightly to 10.7 million boxes from 10.5 million. Specialty citrus decreased a fraction to 1.8 million boxes.
We’re in the lightest time of the year for domestic produce shipments, so here’s a look at the Western USA where the heaviest volume loadings are taking place.
Washington Apple Shipments
While there is no record volume this season, it is still a good sized crop that is averaging around 3000 truck load equivalents weekly from the Yakima and Wenatchee valleys. There’s also pears available in much lighter volume.
Washington apples – grossing about $6100 to New York City.
Yuma Arizona Vegetables
Head lettuce and romaine easily lead the lettuce family in volume with the two items averaging about 1875 trucks per week from the Yuma district. There’s also lettuce, in much in lighter volume, coming out of California’s nearby Imperial Valley. Other veggies also are available to help fill out loads.
Desert vegetables – grossing about $4700 to Atlanta.
Nogales Produce Shipments
Dozens of different Mexican vegetables are crossing the border here, although it sure seems volume is lighter than usual, in what is normally the peak season for volume. Tomatoes (vine ripe, cherry and grape) lead the pack with about 1500 truckloads per week. Bell peppers are shipping about one-half this amount in volume.
Idaho Potato Shipments
Spuds are available for the nation’s leading shipper. About 1750 truckload equivalents are shipping each week, with rail handling a much higher percentage than with produce items from most other shipping areas.
Idaho potatoes – grossing about $3000 to Chicago.
Idaho / Oregon Onion Shipments
It seems all onion shipping areas from around the country have lighter volume this season. Heaviest volume is coming from Western Idaho and Malhuer County, Oregon, averaging about 750 truck loads per week.