Produce transportation in the United States is both essential and complex. In 2023, the U.S. agriculture industry exported $174.9 billion worth of products. Billions more, including a significant portion of fruits and vegetables, stayed in the country. Without effective transportation solutions, those perishables – exported products as well as produce consumed domestically – would be worthless.
Due to produce’s sensitivity to temperature, humidity, and handling, shippers of produce need to find highly experienced transportation partners who know what they’re doing when they accept a load.
This guide covers the primary challenges and key considerations for effective produce transportation, including a seasonal overview of various produce types. Continue reading to learn more, and discover how VCPB uses its knowledge and experience to ensure your produce reaches consumers in peak condition.
The Primary Challenges in Produce Transportation
Transporting produce comes with unique challenges that must be carefully managed to ensure the produce arrives in optimal condition. Here’s a list of the most pressing challenges that demand attention when moving produce from growing areas to markets:
- Temperature Management: The correct temperature is paramount. Different types of produce have specific temperature needs. If ranges are not maintained during transit, the produce can degrade or spoil, resulting in significant losses.
- Compatibility in Shipping: Not all produce can be shipped together due to varying temperature requirements. Knowing which types of produce can coexist in the same shipment is vital for efficiency. Experienced transportation partners leverage this knowledge to optimize shipping plans, minimizing costs and maximizing the amount of produce that arrives in ideal condition.
- Timeliness: Produce’s perishable nature means that timeliness in transportation is critical. Delays due to logistics, weather, or equipment failures can have disastrous effects, leading to spoilage or significant quality degradation by the time the produce reaches its destination.
- Appropriate Equipment: The choice of transportation equipment is critical. Inappropriate equipment can compromise the controlled environment needed for specific types of produce, affecting its condition upon arrival.
- Capacity Challenges: The peak season for produce transportation runs from June through the end of the year, primarily involving shipments from major growing regions like California and Arizona. During this period, the high volume of shipments can lead to capacity constraints, making it hard for shippers to secure the transportation resources they need. This can affect the timeliness and cost of shipping produce, with potential impacts on its quality upon delivery.
Because of these prominent produce transportation challenges, it’s vital that shippers focus on key considerations when searching for a transportation partner — particularly during peak season in the second half of the year.
Key Considerations for Produce Transportation
What should you look for in a transportation partner for shipping produce? This list of key considerations is a great place to start:
- Experience: Transporting produce requires specialized knowledge and expertise. An experienced partner understands the intricacies of produce transportation and avoids rookie mistakes that can compromise the shipment.
- Relationships: Peak seasons often lead to capacity constraints. A transportation partner with solid relationships and a strong carrier network can help secure the necessary capacity during these times.
- Rates: Strong industry relationships can also lead to more reasonable rates during peak seasons, preventing cost spikes when shipping from growing areas to markets across the country.
- Attention to Detail: The success of produce transportation hinges on meticulous attention to detail. From load management to temperature control, every small aspect matters.
- Responsiveness: Shipping perishable goods on tight deadlines requires a high level of customer service. A responsive transportation partner that promptly addresses issues and provides updates is crucial.
Some transportation providers will take any order and load produce on any type of equipment. Talk about these considerations with your prospective service providers before making a buying decision to ensure you’re choosing a partner with an in-depth knowledge of produce transportation.
Understanding Produce Seasons
Peak season for produce in the United States starts in June and runs through the end of the year. Understanding transportation market dynamics requires an understanding of what crops reach peak volume at what times of year. Here’s a list of some of the most popular crops in the United States with details on when and where they ship:
- Corn: Corn starts moving from Georgia and Florida up the East Coast in late May and early June.
- Watermelon: Watermelon follows a similar schedule to corn, shipping from Georgia and Florida up the East Coast in late May and early June. Arizona also becomes a significant melon-growing area during this time.
- Cherries: Cherries, a high-value produce, ship from the Stockton area of California and parts of Washington state starting in June.
- Cantaloupes: In June, cantaloupes ship from growing areas like Yuma, Arizona, and California hubs like Holtville, Mendota, and Firebaugh to destinations around the country.
- Tree Fruit: Peaches, citrus, and other tree fruits begin shipping from the Fresno Valley in California in the second half of June.
- Strawberries: From late June through October, strawberries grown in California are shipped to markets across the country.
- Grapes: Grapes move from Mexico as well as California growing areas like the Coachella Valley, Bakersfield, and Fresno to markets around the country from early July through late in the year.
- Tomatoes: Starting in July, tomatoes ship from California growing areas like the Fresno Valley, Firebaugh, and Live Oak.
- Lettuce: Peak lettuce season runs from mid-June to early November, with crops shipping from Santa Maria and Salinas in California.
- Broccoli: Broccoli season starts in mid-July with crops shipping from Mendota, Salinas, and Santa Maria in California.
- Peppers: Peppers start shipping in late June from California’s Coachella Valley to markets across the country. Central Valley areas around Bakersfield and Fresno also grow and ship peppers.
- Avocados: Avocados ship from Mexico nearly year-round. California grows the most avocados in the United States.
Even if you’re looking to ship a crop during its peak season, the right produce transportation partner can help you get the job done without breaking the bank or experiencing significant delays.
Why VCPB is Your Go-To Partner for Produce Transportation
At VCPB, we specialize in produce transportation, providing tailored solutions to ensure your goods arrive in optimal condition. Unlike many transportation partners that indiscriminately load produce onto any truck, we focus on the critical details, such as load compatibility and precise temperature control.
We also provide the highest level of customer service possible. When you call with issues or for status updates, we answer the phone and provide solutions — 24/7/365. We built our business on produce transportation, and providing the best possible service is a lifestyle for us.
If you’re looking for a reliable transportation partner this peak season, we should talk. VCPB is committed to excellence and meticulous care in produce transportation. Get in touch with us and learn more.
