This year, the New Delhi virus has taken it's toll on Almeria's courgette season, as well as on cucumbers but to a lesser extent, causing significant losses in the sector. For this reason, and because all types of cucurbits can be affected, including melons, early melon volumes during the start of the new Spanish summer fruit campaign are expected to drop, since many producers are hesitant to plant, as they are afraid of the virus.
In Almeria, which is Spain's earliest production area and one of the country's largest melon and watermelon producers, the acreage devoted to melons will drop by around 25%, while that of watermelon will increase.
A few months ago there were some concerns about the possible impact of the virus on spring crops; however, according to data provided by the Provincial Delegation of the Andalusian Government, thanks to the implementation of control measures and the insulation of greenhouses, to date only a few plants have been affected and the impact on melons and watermelons is insignificant.
In 2013, Almeria cultivated 6,400 hectares of watermelons (about 6,700 this year) and harvested 360 million kilos, for which it obtained almost 95 million Euro (130 million once sold). Watermelons, which are the province's fifth most important horticultural product in terms of revenue generated, represented around 30% of Spain's total acreage and over 40% of the production. Almeria is also Spain's largest watermelon exporter, with over 45% of the domestic total.