"October is when the new melon campaign is planned in Sicily and it's a very important moment because varieties are chosen according to soil and climate needs and commercial outlets. The production area is located between Marsala (TP) and Pachino (SR) with hub in Licata (AG)," explains Agostino Marcellino, Western Sicily Sales Representative for the melon segment at HM.CLAUSE Italia.
"As is well known, the right variety makes the difference when it comes to profitability. Last year, for example, those who chose to plant HM.CLAUSE's Rais F1 variety were pleased with their yields and income: as the variety is an early one, in fact, harvesting lasted to late March/early April, thus filling a gap on the market."
Agostino Marcellino
"Thanks to its rusticity, productivity and the fact that it manages to adapt to difficult weather conditions, Rais F1 has been chosen by specialized producers for the past few years. In addition, the variety is known by the best retail buyers as the melon that kicks off the season on the entire domestic territory."
Freshly harvested Rais F1
Gaudio, a classic yellow-rind netted melon very popular on the domestic market, walks along similar lines. Due to its characteristics, Gaudio F1 should be transplanted in January and February under polytunnels or in greenhouses, although there are those who manage to grow it successfully in open fields with transplants in early March. It's important to remember that post-harvesting storage plays an essential part when it comes to commercialization and so does fruit resistance while on the plant, as temperatures can be very high in Sicily in May.
Saphir, a very peculiar melon, completes the range at HM.CLAUSE. It is part of the smooth Charentais type and is very appreciated for its characteristic light-colored smooth rind and for its exceptional organoleptic qualities. For these reasons, its price is much higher than that of normal melons. It is also the first smooth Italian melon to be available on the market.
Over the past few years, HM.CLAUSE has been focusing its research on a type of red-fleshed melon for the Licata area. It can now confirm the development of two red-fleshed varieties: CLX 528 F1, a deep red melon with a medium-early cycle, very productive and with a long shelf-life, and CLX 527 F1 for early transplants in December and January.
HM.CLAUSE is a global leader in the melon seed market thanks to its wide range of products and its specific know-how on the fresh produce market and its dynamics. It deals with domestic and foreign operators every day.
"Our company provides a series of services and solutions for all production and commercial need in the melon segment. We do the interests of producers starting with scientific research, we provide technical assistance and study consumer trends as well as the domestic and foreign markets."
Contacts:
HM.CLAUSE ITALIA S.p.A.
Via Emilia, 11
10078 Venaria Reale (TO) - Italy
Tel.: +39 011453 0093
Fax: +39 0114531584
Email: info-italia@hmclause.com
Web: www.hmclause.com