"Fighting to sell melons in peak season"

The European melon season had a slow start because of bad weather conditions in Spain. "As a result production had a difficult start resulting in high prices till the end of July. But everything we did not have then we have received now," Leon van den Hombergh of Frankort & Koning says. "In the next four weeks there will be a sufficient supply of melons. When a truck load has been sold the next one is already at the door."

"The Galia, Cantaloupe and watermelons are available in large quantities," Leon says. "Watermelons, are also offered from Italy, Greece, Hungary and Bulgaria. Each country has a plentiful production without any problems. Watermelons are a cheap sowing alternative. The growers prices at the moment are between 10 and 20 cents in Europe. New developments are the small and yellow watermelons, but sales for these are also limited."

Supply of Cantaloupe melons is plentiful from Spain and Italy, with the result of low prices and the same is the case for Galia's. "We can still expect an enormous supply during the next four weeks. It will become a laborious month of August with large volumes again and low prices," the importer says. "Brazil is already impatient and will come with large volumes at the end of August. Then Europe should make sure that the larger part is off the market."

For more information:
Leon van den Hombergh
Frankort & Koning
126, Venrayseweg
5928 RH Venlo
Tel: +31 (077) 389 72 72
Fax: +31 (077) 382 61 34
www.frankort.nl