With the majority of growing areas in the country reporting truck shortages, truck rates rose by more than $2000 per load for some routes this week. Many carriers, along with docks, warehouses, packing plants, and the rest of the supply chain, continue to operate short on employees due to increasing rates of infection. Some drivers accepted loads for Monday and Tuesday but plan to take the rest of the week off to enjoy the New Year holiday at home. Demand for many produce commodities remains light as consumers have yet to get back into normal routines after the holidays.
Mexican avocado crossings through Texas are expected to decrease slightly. Trading was fairly active at higher prices. Availability on larger sizes is light. Demand has fallen after the holiday due to high prices and increasing freight rates. Shippers report increased difficulty in finding trucks.
Mexican blueberry crossings through Arizona, California, and Texas movement expected about the same. Trading was moderate with prices on pints slightly higher and others generally unchanged. Quality and condition reported as variable. Movement of Chilean imports of blueberries via boat through both various East Coast and West Coast ports of entry is expected to increase as harvesting increases in Chile, with current supplies in too few hands to establish a market for both coasts.
The movement of Peruvian imports of blueberries arriving through both the Philadelphia and New York City areas and through Southern California ports via boat is expected to decrease as the season nears its end. Trading was active for fairly light supplies. Prices were higher, and quality is reported as generally good for this late in the season.
Cucumber movement from Mexico crossing through Nogales, Arizona is expected to decrease. Trading fairly slow with prices on 36s generally unchanged, others lower. Movement and F.O.B. prices continue to be impacted by the truck shortage and by high freight rates. Movement of Mexican cucumber crossings through Texas is expected about the same. Trading was moderate early and slow later. Prices generally unchanged, with quality reported as variable.
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Source: mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov