Exsa Europe has extended its assortment this year with melons from Costa Rica. The producer of grapes and citrus from South Africa and Egypt, among others, worked with local Costa Rican growers who grow water melons, Galia and yellow melons under the Exsa brand to do this.
"These growers have over fifteen years of experience in the melon cultivation for the European market and produce in the three production areas Orotina, Guanacaste peninsula and Playa Hermosa," says Fred Rennen. Exsa Europe is the exclusive breeder of these melons on the Western European market.
"A few weeks ago the first melons from Costa Rica arrived. "The season started well, especially for the yellow melons and the prospects are good too. The sales of watermelons is slightly under pressure, but I expect a reversal towards and after Easter, especially if the weather conditions are good."
"We received limited amounts of Galia melons this season. The quality is great and the taste is superb. This is why these melons are winning market share compared to Brazil and Honduras."
New variety seedless watermelons Ana
The Costa Rican melon season will last until around week 19. Exsa Europe receives the variety Tenorio of Galia melons, Natal of yellow melons, the variety Quetzali of the seeded watermelons and the varieties Extazy, Ana and Black Bingo for the seedless watermelons. "We are offering our customers a great novelty with the new seedless variety Ana. Its is a very red melon with a sweet flavour and available in good sizes," says Fred. "There is a good demand from the retail. Our existing customers for the grape and citrus package in particular are taking our melons too and keep coming back because we offer continuity in quality and volume."
Ana
Chain control and Rain Forest Alliance
All melons are produced under the strict conditions of Rainforest Alliance with respect for man and nature. "A desire for sustainability from ourselves and our customers," emphasises Fred. "With the RFA certificate we safeguard the biodiversity being stimulated, natural resources such as water and soil are maintained and we reduce the use of chemicals to an absolute minimum. The certificate also safeguards the social responsibility for the growers, workers and their families and the protection of local communities as none or very little crop protection agents end up in the groundwater"For more information:
Fred Rennen
EXSA Europe B.V.
D'Oultremontweg 16c
5154 PD Elshout
Tel.: +31 88 735 0004
Fax: +31 88 735 0001
fred.rennen@exsaeurope.com
www.exsaeurope.com