"The Cantaloupe market will remain tight the whole year," expects Leon van den Hombergh, Frankort&Koning's Commercial Director. This company is based in the Venlo, the Netherlands. "Less has been planted in Brazil. The melons are also quite big. These sizes make them unsuitable to package for the European market. This is the reason why there is currently a shortage when it comes to Cantaloupes."
There is no chance of drama as Christmas approaches. "There are yellow melons, Galias, seedless watermelons, and Piel de Sapo on the market. This means there are enough alternatives, at normal prices, available for the holiday week. Having a sale with these melons is no problem at all."
"The price of Galias is between EUR6 and 7 and yellow melons are selling for EUR7-8. Watermelons are going for EUR0,70", says Leon, summing it up. "This will not last the whole of December. The delay in sea freight shipments toward the weekend will hopefully help clear out the market a little."
"Traditionally, the holidays stress hits at the beginning of December. However, Christmas is quite late in week 52 this year. This means there is still enough time to fill the store shelves", Leon reckons. "From this it is clear that the situation on the melon market is different every year. In any case, this unpredictability ensures that the melon trade is never boring."
For more information
Leon van den Hombergh
Frankort & Koning
126 Venrayseweg
5928 RH Venlo
Tel: +31 (0) 773 897 272
Fax: +31 (0) 773 826 134
l.vdhombergh@frankort.nl
www.frankort.nl