Spain: Nunhems® presents top melon and watermelon solutions

"We listen, we talk, we share information and ask them to explain us their needs," affirms Francisco Solera, Melon Crop Sales Manager of Bayer CropScience Vegetable Seeds for Europe and the Middle East, adding that "it is not about showing them plant material and hoping they will like it, but about showing them our ability to create new concepts adapted to given demands, and offering the possibility to adapt our research and development to offer solutions adapted to their needs." According to Crisanto Ampuero, supply chain specialist, "the key is to provide supermarkets with original material that helps them become more competitive and allows them to supply consumers with tasty, healthy and attractive products that are also easy and cost effective to produce."

In the watermelon market, Bayer CropScience has become a dominant company, with a fresh range led by Fashion F1 and formed by other varieties such as Boston F1, Style F1, Bengala F1 or Stellar F1. Commercial success has also arrived with varieties provided with an excellent pollinating capacity and with the calibre and internal quality demanded by northern European markets, as in the case of Premium F1 and Reddly F1.

Research also focuses on watermelons for processing, which are included under the "superseedless" designation. Large calibre watermelons that can be marketed for fresh consumption, with a firm pulp that is ideal for processing, either for direct sale into quarters or halves or for cutting into cubes or "fingers" without the loss of any colour or taste after the cutting and packaging.

Similarly, in the field of melons, Bayer CropScience has strengthened its position since the development three years ago of the Kirene Line, a new concept based on the taste of traditional Galia for open ground cultivation, aimed at eliminating the features rejected by consumers and showing that the aromatic and flavourful Galia melon has not disappeared from the market. 

Kirene F1 is harvested when it reaches an attractive golden brown on the surface; an unequivocal indicator of ripeness. This brings significant advantages for the producer, who will not need skilled labourers for the harvest, preventing surprises during the distribution stage. Kirene F1 seeks to bring back Galia consumption volumes to the levels prior to its great decline.

The Kirene range inherits the same philosophy that has helped develop the Magenta line of Cantaloupe melons over the past fifteen years. This market segment keeps growing and continues expanding its acreage in Murcia. The unmistakable flesh of the Magenta is already to be seen in the new NUN 29311 MEM F1 (Magestium) and NUN 29331 MEM F1 (Magalium) varieties; an update for the range with more vigour and resistance to powdery mildew. 

Constant innovation in line with market demands has also resulted in the launch of a Piel de Sapo melon especially intended for export. 38456 MEM NUN F1 responds to the desires of European consumers, who are attracted by the organoleptic qualities of the Spanish Piel de Sapo, but are not interested in large calibres. Therefore, the Nunhems brand has developed a smaller variety that fits in one hand and is characterised by an excellent external appearance, flavour and quality, as well as a good shelf life. "A great example of anticipation of what will become a market trend in the near future," they say.

For more information:
Elvira Vitores
Bayer Cropscience Spain
T: (+34) 950 497 776
M: (+34) 636 044 545
Email: elvira.vitores@bayer.com
Twitter: @BayerEspana
www.newsroom.bayercropscience.com