The Honduran melon industry expects to achieve historic results in the 2013/2014 campaign, mainly in terms of revenue generated. Producers have started the harvest of several varieties of this fruit with the goal of reaching 60 million dollars in revenue; a figure greater than last season's 56.1 million. It would be the highest result in the past 10 years.
Melon growers from Choluteca and Valle do not foresee any major problems before closing the 2013 winter season, as in previous years, and specifically in 2010, the month of October brought heavy rains which deeply affected the production. If nothing unexpected happens during the next 10 days, producers should start harvesting within the first half of December.
For this first cycle of the current season, the industry estimates to have planted 4,200 hectares in Choluteca and Valle. Among the varieties cultivated, the most common are the Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Piel de Sapo and Galia, which are highly demanded in the United States and the European Union, mainly because of their sugar levels. A very small part of the production is shipped to the Central American markets, to El Salvador and Nicaragua, where this fruit is also appreciated as part of their diet.
Source: elheraldo.hn