Produce transportation requires incredible attention to detail to ensure fresh fruits and vegetables are delivered in pristine condition. Shippers and logistics providers also need to work with carriers that have capacity available in specific markets at certain times of the year.
In January, for instance, capacity is needed throughout Florida, south Texas, and along Arizona’s border with Mexico as an abundance of fruits and vegetables are transported to fulfill consumers’ resolutions to eat better in the new year.
The coordinated transportation of Florida strawberries dates back to 1884, when Henry Plant extended the South Florida Railroad to Plant City to send frozen strawberries to points north, and some farms in the region have been operating continuously for more than 120 years.
The strawberry supply in Florida this year has been deemed normal despite some crop damage from Hurricane Milton. And, according to the Strawberry Growers Association, this winter’s crop is expected to be “exceptionally sweet” because of cooler temperatures than usual.
Florida produces an average of 240 million pounds of strawberries each year, with the season typically running from December through April and the peak from late February through early March.
The optimal temperature for shipping strawberries is between 32 and 36 degrees Fahrenheit. Shipping strawberries in palletized corrugated boxes in temperature-controlled trucks is ideal.
Growers in Florida also have begun shipping late-season Valencia oranges.
“The fresh industry will maintain a steady supply of oranges through May and some houses may pack even later out of cold storage,” Steven Callaham, of Dundee Citrus Growers, told Fresh Plaza, adding that the quality of the fruit is excellent.
To maintain that excellent condition, oranges should be transported at between 38 and 48 degrees Fahrenheit with a relative humidity of 82-85%.
Totaling all varieties, about 6 billion pounds of oranges are produced in Florida each year.
Oranges also are currently being shipped out of Texas, and Fresh Plaza reported that Texas grapefruit began moving in early January. Grapefruit should be maintained at a temperature between 40 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit. Texas produces an estimated 94,000 tons of grapefruit annually.
Mustard greens and cabbage also ship out of Texas in January. Mustard greens should be maintained at about 40 degrees Fahrenheit, while cabbage should be kept at 34 to 36 degrees.
Cross-border produce transport is big at the Nogales port of entry in Arizona. Tomatoes and cucumbers are among the vegetables coming out of Mexico in January.
“The first — and, for a long time, only — gateway for produce heading north from Mexico, according to a University of Arizona study, Nogales has remained hugely significant to cross-border fruit and vegetable trading since the arrival of a consignment of oranges from Hermosillo, Sonora, in the late 19th century,” a Produce Business article said.
An estimated $59.7 million worth of citrus crossed the U.S.-Mexico border at Nogales in 2022. For instance, about 80-85% of U.S. lime imports come from Mexico, according to Fresh Plaza, which said supplies have recovered from last year’s impact from El Niño.
At the Nogales border in 2022, imports of tomatoes were valued at $662.6 million, grapes at $620.8 million, and avocados at $235.1 million.
Most fruits and vegetables cannot be transported in the same truck, but some freight brokers are willing to combine everything just to get the load covered. Millions of dollars in wastage is due to the improper transportation of perishables.
There are specific temperature guidelines for the shipping of every type of fruit and vegetable. For example, tomatoes need to be kept at 48 to 58 degrees Fahrenheit depending on their color. A deviation of just a few degrees can spoil an entire truckload of produce.
Humidity also plays an important role in the transportation of perishables. High relative humidity helps fresh produce retain its optimal weight, appearance, quality, and flavor.
Ethylene compatibility also must be considered. Apples, for example, emit a large amount of ethylene, and green bell peppers will turn brown if they are stored next to or transported with apples.
At VCPB Transportation, we never provide a one-size-fits-all service. We tailor our shipping solutions specific to the commodity to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of temperature-sensitive fruits and vegetables. The result is far less waste and far greater customer satisfaction.
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At VCPB Transportation, we don’t take anything related to the shipping of fresh fruits and vegetables for granted. Our company was built by produce haulers, and we have used that invaluable experience to grow to be an industry-leading provider of innovative transportation solutions.
We supply all the major terminal markets and supermarket chains in the United States and also serve produce growers and food processors. We are experts in the temperature, humidity, and handling requirements for every type of fruit and vegetable, and we customize our logistics solutions based on the unique attributes of different commodities.
We work tirelessly to make sure everything we transport arrives in excellent condition every time. While we’re known throughout the industry as a produce specialist, we’re also experts at over-the-road, intermodal, overweight and oversized, drayage management, cross-border moves, and transloading. No matter your shipping needs, we can handle them efficiently every time.
Start shipping with VCPB Transportation.
VCPB Transportation
600 Meadowlands Pkwy Secaucus, NJ 07094
(201) 770-0111
