Winter markets exist throughout continent Most shi ...

12/20/1995 12:00:00 AM

By Bureau

Winter markets exist throughout continent Most shippers looking to move heavyvolume anticipated this season.

By Chuck Harvey

Staff Writer

NOGALES, Ariz. -- Demand for winter squash, fruit and vegetables has helpedNogales shippers expand their delivery areas to all parts of the UnitedStates, much of Canada and even Europe, Russia and Pacific Rim countries.

Product is shipped to the East Coast through most of the winter despitecompetition from Florida growers; Canada, the Midwest, the South and the Westremain important winter distribution areas.

``We ship all over the United States and Canada,'' said George Gotsis,president of Omega Produce Co. Inc., Nogales. Gotsis said the eastern U.S. hasbecome a very important shipping destination for his bell peppers, cucumbers,squash, tomatoes, melons and grapes.

Omega Produce ships mixed and straight loads on tractor-trailer trucksoriginating from Nogales.

Ritz Produce Inc., Nogales, ships across the continental United States and toCanada and Alaska. About 25 percent of the company's tomatoes, peppers,cucumbers and beans go to the East Coast, 35 percent to the West Coast and theremainder to other parts of the United States and Canada, said Norma Batt,Ritz Produce office chief.

Ritz ships in both mixed and straight truck loads.

Exports

Only a handful of Nogales produce companies export winter crops, but those whodo have discovered demand from countries like Japan and Hong Kong.

Omega Produce has been shipping hard-shelled Kabocha squash to Japan for thepast 15 years. It is the biggest West Mexico winter export item to Japan, hesaid.

Al Harrison Co., which ships watermelon to Japan and the United Kingdom,recently shipped five loads of watermelon to Russia. The Russian ventureproved successful and likely will lead to more business, said Brent Harrison,sales representative for Al Harrison Co.

``Exporting has become a bigger part of our business,'' Harrison said. ``About15 percent to 20 percent of our products are exported now.''

The Sykes Co. has found demand for its hard-shell Butternut squash throughoutthe United States and Canada, said company owner Bill Sykes, and grapesalready are an international item.

``We sell grapes all over the world,'' he said.

Some Nogales companies ship heaviest to specific regions of the United States.

``We sell all over the U.S., but mostly to the West and Texas,'' said NellyValenzuela, manager of Mission Fruit & Vegetables Distributors Inc.

Demand for peppers, the company's specialty, is highest in those areas, shesaid.

``We ship peas mostly to middle and eastern parts of the U.S.,'' she said.

Produce Kountry ships all over the United States and Canada, but the bulk ofits tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers and grapes go to the Midwest and West,said company president Jim Cathey. Produce Kountry transports product in bothmixed and straight loads.

The Giumarra Cos. is sending more product than usual east this year because ofincreased volume.

``There were probably more consignments shipped back there without an orderthan in any time in the past five to seven years,'' said Bill Clausen, vicepresident. ``If there wasn't a lot of product, we would stay on the WestCoast.''

Clausen said Giumarra ships between 5 percent and 8 percent of its cantaloupe,watermelon, tomatoes and squash to eastern and western Canada.

Farmers Best International LLC finds the West Coast, Midwest and westernCanada to be its core markets, said Jerry Wagner, sales manager.