Spring is in full bloom across the country, and with that comes a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables. At VCPB Transportation, we are keenly aware that moving fresh produce is one of the most delicate and urgent tasks in transportation, and we work tirelessly to make sure fruits and vegetables are delivered in excellent condition every time.
We got our start loading produce trucks, and we’ve used our decades of experience to provide the very best service with our technology-powered temperature controls, real-time tracking, and 24/7/365 service.
No matter the time of year, transporting fruits and vegetables requires:
Proper Handling and Packaging. Some fruits and vegetables can bruise easily and must be gently handled to prevent damage. Using the right type of packaging materials, such as cushioned crates or padded boxes, is essential to help protect delicate produce. How produce is loaded and stacked during transportation can also affect its condition upon arrival.
Temperature and Humidity Control and Air Circulation. Different types of produce have varying temperature and humidity requirements, which must be adhered to in order to preserve quality and freshness. Proper air circulation helps regulate temperature and humidity levels.
Here’s a taste of what we’ll be moving in May:
The apricot season in California is expected to get underway the first week of May following good growing weather during the winter.
“The trees got their chill hours, and our area received about 75% of our annual rainfall amounts. The stage is set for some very good-tasting apricots,” Justin Bedwell of Bari Produce told Fresh Plaza.
Because of extended cold periods this winter, the harvesting of asparagus in Michigan wasn’t expected to start until May.
Michigan is the No. 1 asparagus-producing state in the country, and harvesting typically lasts six to eight weeks.
The Florida blueberry season also got a later start this spring, about a week or two behind previous years.
Florida growers reported 2024 hurricanes “stressed out” the blueberry bushes, but they have recovered well and the fruit is of good quality.
The Florida season is expected to run until mid-May, about the time Georgia blueberries enter the market.
Blueberries are among the crops that could be affected by warming temperatures in Florida. Florida growers and transportation providers are taking note of a new study published in Science Direct that said the Sunshine State will continue to have more hot days, with the heat lasting longer and becoming more intense. In fact, researchers expect the number of days above 91 degrees Fahrenheit to increase by 2.5 days per decade.
The researchers said that small temperature changes will have big impacts on the number of hot days, with even a 2 degree increase in summer temperatures resulting in 30 more hot days.
“Growers may need to rethink what they grow, when they plant, and how they manage crops,” lead researcher Golmar Golmohammadi said. “Crop selection may need to shift based on the area, and some heat-sensitive crops may not perform well with 20 or 30 extra hot days per summer.”
A below-average crop of early varieties of cherries is forecast in California.
“We’ve had back-to-back pretty heavy production years. This year, we’ve also had some inconsistent weather during bloom, and between rains, windy conditions, and heat, it’s put a damper on our early variety crop set,” Joe Cataldo of J&M Farms and Delta Packing Co. told Fresh Plaza.
Harvesting also was expected to start about a week later than usual, with the bulk of production forecast for May 5 to June 10.
Shipping of California-grown Bing cherries won’t get underway until after Memorial Day.
The largest volumes of grapes from the Sonora region of Mexico are expected to hit the second and third weeks of May. This is also a bit later than usual and behind the harvest in Jalisco, which began in early April.
Still, David Watson, the senior vice president of sales and marketing for Fresh Farms, told Fresh Plaza that “the weather has been just right for producing high-quality grapes, and we’re seeing excellent conditions in both Jalisco and Sonora. With that, we anticipate a strong and consistent supply of top-quality fruit in the months ahead.”
Fresh Plaza reported that the pineapple supply in North America has remained tight this spring in large part because of adverse weather conditions in Costa Rica last year.
“With Costa Rican volumes limited, Mexico has been filling some of the gaps. Still, freight costs from Texas, where Mexican fruit enters the U.S., pose challenges for reaching the West Coast competitively,” it said.
Transportation providers must be highly skilled in the intricacies of hauling fresh fruit and vegetables, including:
VCPB Transportation is the premier produce transportation provider. We supply all the major terminal markets and supermarket chains in the United States, as well as produce growers and food processors.
Reap the benefits of partnering with VCPB to transport your produce. Start shipping with us today.
VCPB Transportation
600 Meadowlands Pkwy Secaucus, NJ 07094
(201) 770-0111
