February Shipments Sets New Record
Industry shipments for February 2012 established a new record for the month, totaling 149.9 million pounds, beating the previously monthly record set last year by 29.5%. Year-to-date totals through February are at 1.171 billion pounds, a 13% increase over the same period last year.
Domestic shipments for February totaled 38.7 million pounds, 20% over last February and 5.7% over the same period last year (August – February). Export shipments posted even better performance, totaling 111.1 million pounds, a 33.4% increase over February 2011. Year-to-date export shipments are running 15.9% ahead of the same point a year ago. Shipments to China (includes Vietnam), year-to-date through February, are up 47% and are on track to close at nearly 50% the size of the U.S. market.
Given the current demand, the California industry could easily ship 1.875 billion pounds by the end of the marketing year, an increase of 11.5% over the prior year.