Increase in Almeria's melon and watermelon acreage

The Spanish melon and watermelon season is already starting with some small Galia melon volumes. In the earliest stages of the campaign, production concentrates in the province of Almeria.

According to data supplied by Coexphal, in 2014 the melon acreage in Almeria dropped by about 38% because of fear amongst growers to the New Delhi virus after its disastrous effects on courgette crops. But is it really so dangerous for melon plants as it is for courgettes?

While last season we saw that the New Delhi virus had less of an impact than it was thought to have, Manuel Escudero, manager of Semilleros El Plantel, specialised in vegetable sowing and germination solutions, explains to FreshPlaza that such fears to the virus may have been the result of "a marketing strategy from other Spanish producing areas, to scare Almeria's growers into planting less," he affirms.

"This year, there is far less fear than last season, and now the virus seems less aggressive and farms are much better prepared to face it," states Escudero. Furthermore, looking at last season, Manuel explains that "it would be very unlikely for the virus to affect watermelons, since there were no significant incidents."

Growers have therefore been motivated to plant more this year and Manuel explains that, in general, plantings will increase by between 20% and 25% compared to the previous year, with the increase being most significant for yellow melons, although it is worth noting that, last year, the plantings for this variety were 26% lower than in 2013.

As for watermelons, he confirms that plantings have also grown by between 15% and 20%, according to data handled by El Plantel.

"Given the temperature and weather conditions registered, which have resulted in a good settling, the start of the campaign is likely to be good and we hope it will stay that way," points out Escudero.