The month of May saw many ports recording record numbers of imports as last year’s unloading backlogs, and arrival delays have largely been resolved. The Port of Los Angeles, the nation’s busiest, saw its third-highest volume on record, while the Port of Oakland, the Northwest Seaport Alliance (covering Seattle and Tacoma), Port Houston, and the Ports of Savannah, Charleston, and Virginia likewise reported record numbers including some all-time records. Many of these ports have spent the last year or more focused on increasing capacity and especially on improving facilities to better accommodate ever-larger modern vessels.
The movement of Peruvian asparagus through South Florida ports of entry is expected to remain about the same this week before increasing slightly next week for the July 4 retail promotional ad pull. Trading - jumbo active, extra-large fairly active, others moderate. Prices standard higher and others much higher. Supplies of white remain in too few hands to establish a market; supplies of jumbo and extra-large greens are also very light, others moderate.
Production continues to shift to northern Peru. Demand in the European market remains strong for larger sizes. Demand has improved to moderate to good due to short supplies and decreasing competition from domestic growing areas. The movement of Mexican asparagus crossing through Arizona, California, and Texas is expected to remain about the same. Trading standard size moderate, others fairly active. Prices are higher as supplies have tightened up and the market is strengthening, but most shipments continue to be booked at previously committed prices. The movement of asparagus from Michigan is expected to decrease seasonally. Trading active at higher prices.
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Source: mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov