Italy: Baby watermelons are doing well

"The watermelon season did not start very well. Low temperatures in early June meant domestic demand dropped and high demand from Romania, Bulgaria, Austria, France and Germany meant prices increased," explain the owners of Faiola Mafalda e figli. There are still a few months to go before the end though, so it's still early to make an assessment.

"Around 1,000 tons of watermelons were sold during the 2013 campaign."

The majority of the produce is destined to wholesalers in the Italian market and only a small percentage (3%) is sent abroad (Austria and Eastern European countries).

"Faiola Mafalda e figli" also sells other produce - watermelons represent 25% of the products handled.

"The most popular product are mini watermelons. They are practical and are perfect for smaller families. A particular variety is the yellow one, which appeared on the market 7 years ago."

"We also have seedless mini watermelons, which are becoming increasingly popular. The variety that sells the most though is still the oblong one."

"Faiola Mafalda e figli" collects watermelons from Sicily and Southern Italy between April and October. It was one of the first companies to be a part of Mof (Mercato Ortofrutticolo di Fondi).

In the beginning, it specialised in artichokes, between 1985 and 1990, it decided to widen its range.

For further information:
Faiola Mafalda e figli
Centro agroalimentare all’ingrosso di Fondi - Stand G3
Viale Piemonte 1
Fondi (Latina)
Tel.: (+39) 0771 531611
Fax: (+39) 0771 521111
Email: faiolamafaldaefigli@tiscali.it