Organic honeydew market settles after hot start

Now that organic honeydew melon supplies have steadied, the market has moderated after experiencing high prices during the opening weeks. Demand is steady and growers are expecting a stable market for the upcoming weeks. 

"We have started the organic season out of Hermosillo with honeydews, followed by orange dew melons last week," said Oscar Trujillo of Bridges Produce. "They both hit with great timing. When honeydew comes on, it comes on strong, starting on a hot market. Once the first flush has come through, the market settles down again. We saw a $12.00 market, but now we are down to $8.00 for 8ct sizes, which seems to be a good figure to hold the market steady."

The next region to start will be the California desert and the growing conditions in all regions are currently advantageous. "The season has started smoothly," Trujillo noted. "We've had perfect weather and quality is high. The heat can start taking a toll from the second half of May, but so far conditions have been favorable. Sugars are at the right level and people are happy. 

One of the melons that Bridges Produce grows is the orange dew melon. This melon is a cross between a Cantaloupe and a Honeydew and has smooth yellow skin and orange flesh. The orange dew melon has been around for decades, mainly finding its home in the organic category, and in high-end stores and specialty markets. 

"The orange dew melon is pretty unique and we're one of the few organic growers to offer it," Trujillo shared. "It can grow wherever melons are found, and typically grows up and down the West Coast. It matures at the same rate as a regular honeydew, however they tend to average smaller in size. It has a similar sweetness and creaminess to that of a regular honeydew, but with a slightly more complex flavor profile and a robust perfume."

"It's been a staple in the organic category for decades now and still enjoys strong demand from that customer base," he continued. "The higher end wholesalers tend to buy it and you'll typically find it in the smaller chain stores and specialty markets. Demand is strong, especially on the West Coast, where there is a heightened interest in this variety."

 

For more information:

Oscar Trujillo

Tel: +1 (520) 761-1977