"The 2014 melon campaign started very well in February with produce from Senegal: the fruit was of exceptional quality and clients responded well, so much so that we did not have enough to meet demand. Unfortunately, we finished our imports from Africa overlapping with production from Sicily, but it was an excellent spring campaign in general," explains Bruno Francescon, chairman and administrator of a PO."As regards the Sicilian produce, prices were quite low, then temperatures dropped in May and demand remained low too, so we could barely cover production costs."
"TerraEqua" is the brand of Francescon melons cultivated in Senegal.
"June and July went very well due to the increase in volumes and sufficient prices...up until the night between July 17th and 18th, when a hailstorm in the Mantua area changed things. Expectations were positive and quality was good, but we still had 700 ha to harvest and 400 ha were affected."
"We recorded a +20% in July thanks to increased exports and new clients, but then in August and September we lost something like 500 trucks of melons. Thankfully, prices doubled in the last two months - almost €1/kg on average."
"The 2014 campaign has been actually positive, with 25% less volumes but with a slightly increased turnover."
Contacts:OP Francescon
Via Retenago, 13
46040 Rodigo (MN) - Italy
Tel.: +39 0376 650727
Fax: +39 0376 684777
Email: amministrazione@op-francescon.it
Web: www.op-francescon.it