We are in the first days of processing for the netted melon of the Op Primo Sole of Montescaglioso (MT), which this year - for the first time - will also reach foreign customers in Switzerland, Germany and Austria.
"From a climatic point of view, the situation is not good: the morning is sunny, while in the afternoon the storms abound. We seem to be in March and not in June. From a commercial point of view, the climate does not stimulate consumption. But we are still at the beginning, so we remain optimistic", says Rosangela Appio, sales manager of the Op.
"Two weeks ago there was still little netted melon on the market: the Mantova product campaign had just started, while the Sicilian campaign was about to end. The prices looked very appealing and significantly higher than the average price of the other years. We were talking about 1.80-2.00 euro/kg. But now, with the entry into production of other areas (Campania, Basilicata and a little Puglia) and with the Mantova campaign reaching its peak, the commercial trend shows a waning phase, accentuated by the unstable climate throughout the Peninsula, which does not boost the consumption of the product. At the moment we are talking about prices between 0.80 and 1.00 euro/kg".
As for the Op, the first harvest of netted melon began on Monday 15 June 2020. "The product is supplied by three different partners and we are still working very few quintals per day. If the climate allows it we should start with larger quantities and then go into full swing harvest from the weekend or the beginning of the next week", says Appio. "We expect a high production yield, since the plants are strong and so far we have not experienced any phytosanitary problems".
This year the production will not only reach the Italian market, but the foreign ones as well. "We have loyal customers, to whom we sell our fennel and cauliflower, and who have included our melon in their summer programs. For the first time we will cross the national borders with our melons, focusing on Switzerland, Germany and Austria. We are ready, even if we have no previous experience with this product. However, we know that a slightly smaller size is preferred abroad and we will try to satisfy the demand".
"This year we have also renewed our melon processing line, introducing a weight grader that will allow us to work with bigger quantities of product, with greater production capacity".
From mid-July, the Op Primo Sole will continue with the yellow melon, for the first time aimed at foreign customers. "Consumption of this product is growing far beyond the Italian border, so we are confident that it will be appreciated".
Contacts:
Rosangela Appio
Cell.: +39 3891569876
OP Primo Sole
S.S. 175 km 30,500 sc
75024 Montescaglioso (MT)
Tel./Fax +39 0835 201993
Email: info@opprimosole.com / op.primosole@pec.it