Brazil: Watermelon production increasing rapidly
Despite the water crisis in the Northeast of Brazil, investments are done in the technology by some producers of Vale do São Francisco (BA/PE). According to HF Brasil this ensured a better quality of melons from this region this year. The cantaloupe melons from Bahía/Pernambuco experience a good demand from both national and international buyers.
Papaya
The quality of the papaya in the main producing areas in Brazil was affected by the winter of 2017, due to rainfall and low temperatures. HF Brasil reported that the rainfall in July, (mainly in the regions Bahía, Espírito Santo and the coast of Rio Grande do Norte), favoured the development of fungal diseases in the orchards. As mentioned in previous published articles the papaya suffered from black spots, which affected sales. In addition to this, low prices in the market made producers spray less which affected the quality again.
It was reported by HF Brasil that in the region of Rio Grande do Norte, the rainfall in July resulted in a less favourable flowering and the soil became less nutritious. This raised the production costs and meant smaller volumes were available. Even though there has been a lot of rainfall, the water deficit hasn't fully recovered.