Ismea's Market service department published a report on melon trends.
In 2014, there were 602,000 tons of melons available (including 35,000 tons of imported produce). Italy exported 30,000 tons, 13% more than 2013, for €21.2 million (+21% than 2013).
Not counting withdrawn and discarded produce, 92% of the fruit was directed to the consumption segment - 442,000 tons to retailers and 110,000 to H&R.
Italian produce flows.
At a global level, Spain decreased its production while Brazil and Guatemala increased their quantities in line with Mexico.
The main exporter countries
The main exporter countries are Spain, Netherlands, Brazil, United States, Mexico, France, China, Morocco and Italy.
Spain is the leader and the Netherlands mainly re-export produce from Southern and Central America.
Between 2010 and 2014, there was an increase in the volumes exported by Spain, Netherlands, Brazil, France, Morocco and Italy.
Click here to enlarge.
Italian imports and exports
The Italian export trend has been positive in the past few years. In 2014, the country exported over 30 thousand tons for €21 million.
Its inclination towards export, i.e. the ratio between exports and production, is still low at 5%, but the trend is increasing. The ratio between imports and exports is 88%, i.e. more produce is imported.
The main destination markets are in Europe - 60% of exports in terms of value are shipped to Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
Despite the increase in exports, Italy is still mainly an importer country, with quantities stable at 30-35,000 tons/year in the past few years.
Italy's inclination towards import (i.e. the ratio between imports and apparent consumption) is low (6%) and stable.
Most of the produce comes from Europe (France and Spain), South America (Brazil and Costa Rica) and Africa (Senegal and Tunisia). The Netherlands mainly re-export produce from extra-European countries.
Melon import/export in Brazil
Export trends have remained stable at around 200 thousand tons in the past ten years. Average prices rose from €0.40 to €0.60/kg, leading to higher revenues, which in 2014 reached €118 million.
The main markets are Europe (the Netherlands, UK, Spain and Italy), followed by Arab Emirates, Canada and the US.
Melon import/export in Spain
Spain is the main exporter worldwide with an average of 385 thousand tons a year. Prices have increased although they vary a lot from one year to the next. Revenue in 2013 was €293 million.
The main destination markets are France, Germany, UK and Netherlands. Italy occupies the 7th place.
Imports increased a little, reaching 66,000 tons a year. Average import prices in the last ten years increased from €0.55 to €0.70 so the average expenditure in 2014 was €54 million.
Produce comes mainly from South America (Brazil, Panama, Costa Rica and Honduras) and Africa (Senegal, Morocco and Mauritania), followed by the Netherlands, France and Spain.
Melon import/export in the Netherlands
The Netherlands are the second exporter worldwide. In the past ten years, the trend has been positive both in terms of quantities and revenue. In 2013, the country shipped almost 123 thousand tons for €123 million.
The main destination markets are Germany, UK and Denmark.
Imports have also increased and reached 190 thousand tons in 2014. The produce comes most of all from South America (Brazil, Costa Rica, Honduras and Panama), followed by Spain and Israel.
Melon import/export in France
Melon exports have remained rather stable in the past ten years at around 42,000 ton. The average price varied a lot from one year to the next and revenue was also irregular.
The main destination markets are Belgium, Switzerland and Italy.
Imports increased up to over 170 thousand tons, with average prices decreasing up to 2012 and recovering in 2013 and 2014. The produce comes mostly from Spain and Morocco.
The market at origin. Average farm-gate prices in Italy and ex-works in Spain. In Italy, the campaign starts in April with produce from Sicily (yellow) and in June with that from Northern Italy (blue)
Retail purchases in Italy
As known, the economic crisis and low interest for fruit and vegetables led to a drop in consumption. Between 2010 and 2014, fruit purchases decreased to 1.2% a year and 1.7% a year in the case of citrus fruit.
Despite this, melons are doing rather well. Melon demand decreased less than average at -0.5% a year. Expenditure dropped by 0.8% due to a reduction of retail prices.
Text and translation by FreshPlaza. All right reserved.