The sales of stone fruit in general and melons in particular have been severely affected by the current Corona crisis, says Erik-Jan Thur of Marni Fruit in Barendrecht. "For the sales of watermelons, we are really missing sales in the countries where it is currently holiday and otherwise the beaches should be full. That leads to too much production with too little sales."
"Sales prices of watermelons have fallen to a level around 20-30 cents. The yellow melons are at a level around 4.50-6 Euro (12 kg), the prices of Cantaloupe are even higher and with the Galia's it is also no luxury with a price level of 2-2.50 Euro for small and 4 to 5 Euro for thick sizes, "the importer lists. "I would not be surprised if with these prices Spanish suppliers supply what has been harvested and then put in the cultivator because consumption is currently lacking."
"We are also seeing paraguayos increase in volume now. Prices are around 6 Euro for the large sizes (5 kg), 5-5.50 Euro for the medium sorting and 4-4.50 Euro for the small sizes. But there is enough of it and the sales are not going smoothly. There are a few less peaches and this demand is quite good with a price around 10-11 Euro for the packaged ones. Packaged nectarines even make 12-13 Euro. These are reasonably prices and we see no stagnation in sales. "
"The plums are reasonably priced, but you can see that people are often specifically looking for the red and yellow plums. Lower-priced black plums sometimes pull the price level down easily. The cherry season for Spain is now over and we are switching to the Dutch season. The Spanish season went well from a price point of view. The productions were a lot lower and the local market was also good. Certainly the less durable cherries remained mostly in their own country this year. "
For more information:
Erik-Jan Thur
Marni Fruit 
Gebroken Meeldijk 52
2991 VD Barendrecht
Tel: +31 (0) 180 697 996
Fax: +31 (0) 180 697 990
ej@marnifruit.nl
www.marnifruit.nl