At the peak of Costa Rica's melon season, which started on 15 January and will continue until 20 April, Ricardo Garrón, from Melones del Sol, gives his views on the development of the campaign.
Melones del Sol, based in the paradisiac peninsula of Nicoya, has 150 hectares devoted to the production of yellow and Piel de Sapo melons under the highest quality standards
"The European market has been showing a good performance in all countries except in the Netherlands, where the price has been very low and we find no reason for it, because we are shipping much smaller volumes than last year and Brazil has already finished," explains Ricardo.
The low price is forcing exporters to export as little as possible through the Netherlands and to make most of their shipments to the UK, Germany, the Nordic countries and Italy.
"Importers are somehow pushing the price down, but there is no melon oversupply. It is striking that the price has dropped by about 2 Euro per box compared to the previous season, currently standing between 7 and 8 Euro. If we add the 20% devaluation suffered by the Euro against the dollar, the impact is even greater," affirms Ricardo.
Ricardo says that they are selling to the Netherlands at a loss, while other European markets are absorbing good volumes of fruit and the price stands between 10 and 11 Euro.
"Last year was exceptional in terms of production and (interestingly) also in prices; a rare situation in the agricultural sector. This season, however, exports are 20% lower," concludes Ricardo.
Ricardo Garrón
MELONES DEL SOL
ricardo.garron@melonesdelsol.com
T:+506 2657 5124
Nandayure, Guanacaste
COSTA RICA