The combination of good products and great service seems to work great in the fresh produce sector, thanks to the capability of satisfying the needs of profoundly changed consumers and of distribution and catering chains, which can now understand new needs, behaviours and choices.
The incredible evolution in the watermelon world caught the sense of the above statement more than all other species. In fact, watermelons went from being a traditional fruit to one of the most diversified. Meridiem Seeds explain that "the various types available - mini and midi, round and oval, streaked and monochrome, green and black, with a red or a yellow flesh, with or without seeds - are revolutionising how we approach this kind of fruit both as consumers and as producers."
Seedless watermelons
Seedless watermelons were first introduced by a Spanish company in 1989 but it was only 25 years later that Italian producers understood how these varieties are important especially during summer (July to September), when high temperatures strongly affect shelf-life during the post-ripening/harvesting stage.
During the 2015 campaign (characterised by constant high temperatures), Italian producers had to compete with produce from other countries both on the domestic and foreign markets and the difference between success and failure was based precisely on the capability of managing fruit during the post-harvesting stage.
Seedless fruits have proved they can maintain their quality intact in the 3/4 weeks after harvesting, generating benefits for producers, packagers, shippers and distributors.
Meridiem Seeds' flagship products
Meridiem Seeds, a Spanish seed company, has provided all its Italian producers with the knowledge needed to maximise quantities while improving post-harvesting shelf-life.
During the 2015 campaign (characterised by constant high temperatures), Italian producers had to compete with produce from other countries both on the domestic and foreign markets and the difference between success and failure was based precisely on the capability of managing fruit during the post-harvesting stage.
Seedless fruits have proved they can maintain their quality intact in the 3/4 weeks after harvesting, generating benefits for producers, packagers, shippers and distributors.
Meridiem Seeds' flagship products
Meridiem Seeds, a Spanish seed company, has provided all its Italian producers with the knowledge needed to maximise quantities while improving post-harvesting shelf-life.
These characteristics were combined with good colour, Brix level and flesh quality, so the watermelons are ideal for both traditional and industrial use.
Above: baby Zimbawe watermelons (5-6 kg); below: baby CSweet Chicago watermelons (2-3 kg) for 40x60 7-8 fruit crates.
In addition to its successful hybrids, Meridiem Seeds also introduced WT037 watermelons, which weigh only 2 kg, and WT006 (6-8 kg), ideal for the fresh-cut industry.
Company managers stress that "the Chicago variety (in the photo) is very popular with the distributor chain for its quality, versatility and productive capacity, which is perfect for the summer and summer/autumn harvesting period. Fruit is uniform, with an excellent shelf-life and unquestionable quality. In addition, the flesh is crunchy and the sugar content is high (Brix level)."
MeridiemSeeds Italia will carry out transplants for the next 4 months and especially from May onwards. It produces excellent seedless watermelons using the advice that has been available on the catalogue for the past 10 years (you can require a paper copy or download a pdf version from www.meridiemseeds.com)
"Diversifying the offer, innovating the products, improving packaging and widening the seedless and mini-midi range are probably the best ways to promote watermelons. Of course all this must be accompanied by certifications, continuous supplies and good logistics. Watermelons can in fact become strategic products to regain our position in the export market while promoting local productions on the domestic one."
Contacts:
Meridiem Seeds Italia Srl
Stefano Campazzi
Cell.: (+39) 329 8474284