Honduras wrap

Sorry for the quiet blog today. I've been working nonstop on Honduras coverage, though I didn't nearly cover all the angles from the Aug. 4-8 trip. In the course of my reporting, I called Jenny Molina, marketing vice president for the Honduras melon exporter Agropecuaria Montelibano. That firm, of course, was the subject of the March 22 import alert by the FDA. The farm unfortunately wasn't on the itinerary on our press trip to Honduras, and Jenny gave me a good-natured ribbing that we didn't stop by.

She said the FDA's action cost the firm a minimum of $10 million, but said the company is in discussions with FDA removal of the alert in the not too distant future. In coverage for The Packer this week, Molina described the "corrective measures" the FDA wanted (despite no positive find of salmonella on their farm), Perhaps the most compelling part of the story still ahead of us is what it may mean for other melon grower/shippers/exporters, whether in Honduras or other growing regions. Developing......

Truck rate report - Aug. 12

With rates generally flat to lower, the USDA's Aug. 12 truck rate report is fairly short and sweet. From the summary:

Wisconsin noted an adequate supply of trucks except to the Northeast and Florida a slight shortage. FIRST REPORT was issued for cabbage from Northeast Colorado. LAST REPORT was issued for melons from North Carolina. All other districts reported an adequate supply of trucks.