Melons are rebounding on the Italian market, while requests for watermelons are still very limited. "Perhaps it's the high temperatures of the last few days or, simply, a summer feeling, but since the beginning of this week we have noticed increased demand for netted melons, with a further surge just on 25 June 2020" - according to a fruit and vegetable operator from Southern Italy.
"As a result, the prices are also rising. In fact, if last weekend the wholesale prices of melons, for a large (1.3-1.5 kg) and aesthetically pleasing product, did not exceed 0.60 €/kg, we can now also see 0.80 €/kg."
"With regard to watermelons, the situation has not changed at all, prices have remained stable, with peaks of 0.30 €/kg. The markets are not demanding large volumes from us, so we slowed down the harvest too, in order not to create a surplus supply, at the risk of having to throw the goods away. We hope for a market upswing, bearing in mind that temperatures of up to 35°C are expected, even in Northern Italy".
"We can't compare current sales with those of last year's same timeframe, precisely because, in addition to the markets, the requests were also coming from hotels and restaurants. The orders placed by these customers are still very limited, not to mention that, in the entire country, several businesses are still closed. We will keep an eye on the situation in the coming weeks, but according to the latest surveys conducted by an organization that focuses on economic and social research, about 50% of Italians will give up their summer holidays for the fear of a Covid-19 contagion."