"Difficult melon sales due to constant stream from Southern Europe"

The supply of Brazilian melons has already started, but the market has a lot of competition from European production areas. "Spain and Italy still have locations where watermelons and yellow melons are harvested in abundance, and we are really talking about a large volumes," says Leon van den Hombergh. "The continuous stream of South European melons means that there is a lot of pressure on the market."

"Brazil can send a few containers per week less, but this is nothing compared to the volumes that are left in Europe," the importer continues. "The canteloupe season is nearing its end in Southern Europe and the Galia season is already over, but we still have at least four weeks supply of yellow and watermelons. We are selling the melons at the moment, but they aren't exactly being snapped up. However, October and November have never been a prosperous month."

"The quality is good and everything is under control, it's just that the current market price is not at the desired level. Now we are dealing with a lot of new players, in terms of import and well as export, who are trying their luck in the melon sector. It is a well known fact that a lot of new exporters pop up after a good year," says Leon.

"The advantage for the Brazilian suppliers is the advantageous exchange rate, the Real has devalued against the euro, compared to the rise in production and transport costs. The biggest problem is that we still have to contend with hundreds of containers filled will European product on the field."

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