The Costa Rican melon season is off to a good start at Exsa Europe. “Watermelons especially enjoy a good demand, because of the limited availability on the market. Demand for yellow melons is also good. The mild spring weather supports the good demand,” says Fred Rennen.
“This season we have seeded melons of the Quetzali variety, and seedless of the varieties Extazy, Ana, Joya and Maxima. That last variety also produces large melons that are especially suited for processing. This watermelon is characterised by its firm red flesh and very good flavour. We will receive the yellow melons of the variety Natal from Rijk Zwaan once again,” Fred says.
Last year, Exsa Europe expanded its assortment with Costa Rican melons. This producer of grapes and citrus from countries including South Africa and Egypt, worked with local, Costa Rican cultivators, who grow watermelons and yellow melons under the Exsa brand. These cultivators have more than fifteen years of experience in the cultivation of melons for European markets, and produce in the three production areas Orotina, peninsula Guanacaste and Playa Hermosa.
All melons are produced under the strict conditions of the Rainforest Alliance. “With the RFA certificate, we guarantee the stimulation of biodiversity by using natural springs for irrigation, ensuring the soil is preserved and keeping the use of pesticides to an absolute minimum. Additionally, the certificate guarantees the social responsibility for the cultivators, workers and their families, and it also protects local communities because little or no pesticide residue ends up in the groundwater,” Fred concludes.
For more information:
Fred Rennen
EXSA Europe B.V.
D'Oultremontweg 16c
5154 PD Elshout, the Netherlands
Tel.: +31 88 735 0004
Fax: +31 88 735 0001
fred.rennen@exsaeurope.com
www.exsaeurope.com