Sakata already controls over 50% of Senegal's Piel de Sapo melon market share with the Cordial and Don Quixote varieties (particularly with the latter). The Don Quixote also has a leading position in Portugal, and especially in Spain, where it has proliferated in Seville, Badajoz and particularly Castile-La Mancha in recent years.
"Don Quixote is the variety that has best adapted to Senegal's climate, showing greater flexibility in a country with difficult growing and logistics conditions. Don Quixote is a melon with a consistent texture and a sweet flavour, with an average of 14º Brix," explains Joaquín Navarro, Sakata Seed Ibérica promoter.
"The characteristics we look for when developing varieties are firm flesh and, above all, an intense, pleasant and sweet flavour. Despite some initial doubts regarding the varieties with firmer flesh, over time it has become clear that this contributes to a high and consistent quality, revolutionising the market over the past five years."
Such is the case of the most recent consolidated variety, the Cordial, oriented towards Spanish full season producing areas. The Cordial is planted both in Castile-La Mancha and Murcia, complementing perfectly with the Don Quixote in terms of production schedule. "Cordial is our leading variety due to its internal quality. With a firm and very juicy flesh, it is currently the Piel de Sapo reaching the highest sugar content, with an average of 15º Brix in Castile-La Mancha, for example."
Sakata to introduce new variety for mid-season in Murcia
While the seed company enjoys a prominent position in Piel de Sapo melon seed sales with Don Quixote and Cordial for late-season growing areas in Murcia and for all cycles in La Mancha, it is about to introduce a new variety (JNME1), suitable for mid-season plantations in Murcia, eastern Andalusia and Portugal and intended to be harvested between late June and the entire month of July.
"We now want to establish ourselves in the market with varieties covering the months of May and June in Spain, so that we can have a production cycle for all 365 days of the year," says Joaquin Navarro.
Seeking to conquer the export markets with Piel de Sapo melons
Deeply rooted in the Spanish culture, Piel de Sapo melons are, without a doubt, the most consumed in Spain, where the way in which both the production and marketing work to prevent any other melon variety from having a chance to compete. The next challenge for the sector is to conquer the overseas markets.
"The taste of a properly-produced Piel de Sapo melon is appreciated all over the world," says Joaquin. "Those who come to Spain and taste this melon are always surprised. Thus, in countries like Brazil, where yellow melons have traditionally been more popular, consumer trends are starting to lean towards the Piel de Sapo."
The next step the sector must take to succeed in the rest of the world is to obtain Piel de Sapo melons of smaller calibres.
"Foreign supermarket chains look basically for melons weighing between one and two kilos, while in Spain, large calibres are traditionally consumed because the fruit is generally eaten with family and friends. For this reason, the next aspect that requires our attention is the calibre, as we continue working to ensure that the fruit reaches the export markets with the same quality it presents in Spain; a goal all seed companies are pursuing and for which we are on the right track."
For more information:
SAKATA SEED IBERICA S.L.U
Plaza Poeta Vicente Gaos 6 bajo
46021 VALENCIA, SPAIN
T: +34963563427
Fax +34963563404
joaquin.navarro@sakata.eu
www.sakata.com