The melon market is not as disappointing as it used to be a few years ago, at least in terms of quality. "I won't deny the fact that I have criticised some Italian productions for their scarce palatability, but this year I have to say that quality is good," says Bruno Francescon, one of the leading players on the melon market.
"Producers are more professional and have finally stopped trying to graft melons with pumpkins or using hormones to increase the size of fruit. Part of the merit must go to the seed companies, as the progress in varietal improvement has been great."
Bruno Francescon.
"Producers can now supply the market constantly for the whole campaign. Shelf-life is better and Brix levels are higher, and fruits can resist difficult weather without too many problems."
This improved quality is rewarding also in terms of volumes sold to retailers. "It's true. There are some retailers that only look at prices, but others want high quality produce and are prepared to pay suppliers a little more. And I feel they have not been disappointed."
The Italian season might suffer a few gaps in supply
Francescon PO says that the produce from Senegal, which covered the period from mid-February to early April, did rather well. "It was the first year we sold produce from Senegal and prices were rather good at €2-2.5/kg. We had to reduce them only in the last two weeks of the campaign because domestic melons were early and Italians tend to prefer them."
As regards melons from Mantua, the entrepreneur warns that "the latest weather will not affect the produce in the short term but we will see its effect in June and July and there might be a few gaps in supply."
Contacts:
O.P. Francescon
Via Retenago, 13
46040 Rodigo (MN) - Italy
Tel.: +39 0376 650727
Fax: +39 0376 684777
E-mail: amministrazione@op-francescon.it