As Winter Ends, Watermelon Season Loads Up at Status Transportation
The relationship between watermelon season loads and the start of the Transportation Industry's busy period is a welcomed opportunity to set the pace for a successful year.
ORLANDO, Fla., April 3, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Status Transportation Corp., a leading ground freight and cargo services company for Owner Operators is already anticipating the refreshing taste of watermelons, since the return of this Southern fruit to markets signals the start of a busy summer watermelon harvest for commercial transportation.
Status Transportation employs a large team of Owner Operators in both Florida and Georgia, which are among the top five watermelon producing states in the country. This means the opportunity to begin distributing these time-sensitive fruits is a major factor in setting the pace for profitability.
Growing watermelon is a profitable business, generating high revenues. The production tops 40 million pounds every year, according to the USDA Economic Research Service.
Recently, news about the health benefits of watermelon have influenced demand. This trend continues to drive a continued increase in production by farmers who see an opportunity to profit better from watermelon season and to push crop production beyond current levels.
Historically, when the watermelon harvest begins—usually in the months of April and May—the demand for the transportation of watermelon generates a major boost for companies like Status Transportation.
Once the season begins, Owner Operators start transporting watermelon shipments to major distribution centers and retailers, particularly those north of the Mason-Dixon Line. As expected, the warmth of the late spring and early summer months becomes a prime time for watermelon consumption.
Watermelon harvest is seen by Status Transportation as a catalyst for business from both current and new customers—and with the forecast of an early crop due to a moderate winter for Florida and Georgia, there's a good outlook for an acceleration into the season.
Traditionally, increased demand for watermelon transportation commands a higher cost per mile that also results in an increase in the shipping cost. This results in a better revenue stream for Status Transportation and its Owner Operators, who benefit together while delivering loads of this fruit.
The fact is that the winter season often experiences a reduction in transportation demand, mainly because most of the commercial transportation occurs during the holiday retailing season. Therefore, a drop in the first quarter of the year is part of the cyclical industry seasonality.
Once watermelon shipments end, the market is once again primed into a consumer-driven mode that leads into the fall in preparation for the return of the holiday season.
"Market seasonality is something we've learned to navigate through, allowing us to remain aware of industry demand trends," says John L. Statkus, who founded Status Transportation almost 10 years ago. "Our understanding of the market cycle allows us to learn from previous years to strengthen our strategy, and we always look forward to the watermelon harvest season with great enthusiasm."
Status Transportation's presence in Florida and in its Atlanta, GA facility allows it to ease into transporting watermelon season loads with full knowledge of its dynamics, opportunities and potential challenges.
Statkus adds, "Our industry tenure has made Status Transportation a trusted ally for our Owner Operators, who hit the road every day to serve our nation's craving for goods like watermelon and other seasonal crops."
About Status Transportation
Status Transportation Corp. is a Florida-based trucking company that provides support for Owner Operator truck drivers, managing all aspects of freight dispatch and operations management. The company works to generate business for Owner Operators, ensuring a constant stream of business and revenue opportunities during watermelon season and throughout the entire year. Status Transportation has been operating since 2009 with offices in Orlando, FL, and Atlanta, GA. For more information about Status Transportation, its services and career opportunities, please visit https://www.statustrucks.com.
SOURCE Status Transportation Corp
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