Honeydew production is moving northward as Central America is starting to see a slowdown. Melon numbers from Honduras are decreasing and suppliers say Mexico is beginning slowly due to generally cooler conditions there during the growing season.
"The majority of our honeydew melons are still coming out of Guatemala," shared Tom Conrado of Classic Fruit Company based in Fresno, California. "We also have some coming from Honduras and a little bit from Mexico. Supplies are a little tight as Honduras is just about to finish up and Mexico production has started lightly, but there is still a fair amount coming from Guatemala."
Conrado explained that the cooler weather in Mexico slowed production and supplies of honeydew from there are expected to remain light for the next couple of weeks. Shortly after that, the California season will begin. "We expect that production will remain light for the next 14 - 18 days and then by about April 25, we will see better numbers from Mexico," he said. "Domestic production in California is expected to start in the second week of May."
Fruit quality and warmer temperatures driving demand
Although supplies are tight, the good news for producers is that demand is picking up. Quality and availability are thought to be the main drivers of the strong demand. Warmer weather in some regions of the US is also helping to increase movement.
"Demand is very strong and this is caused by two main factors," Conrado observed. "Firstly, there is less availability and secondly, quality is excellent. We're seeing fruit that is clean with high BRIX which is helping to drive demand. Spring weather always brings an increase in demand for all melons."
Conrado concluded by sharing that Classic Fruit Company is continually trialing new melon varieties. "There are quite a few different honeydew varieties and it depends on the region and time of year," he said. "We are constantly trialing new and improved seeds over the course of the entire year, with the aim of providing the best quality fruit possible."
For more information:
Tom Conrado
Classic Fruit Company
Ph: +1 (559) 271-9200
tconrado@classicfruit.com
www.classicfruit.com