The good start of the 2021 melon and watermelon campaign for Murcian producers ended up being highly conditioned by the atypical temperatures registered during the first half of summer in Europe and its impact on consumption.
“The campaign in June started late, but with average prices that represented a good return for farmers and exporting companies. Unfortunately, we obtained lower yields per hectare, up to 30% lower than usual, as a result of a rainier and cooler spring than usual that affected flowering and fruit set,” stated the president of Proexport's Melon and Watermelon Sector Committee, Laureano Montesinos.
Laureano Montesinos.
However, in the month of July, starting week 27, the weather in Europe changed for the worse and there were rains and cold. This significantly paralyzed household consumption and plunged demand, especially for watermelon. In the second half of July, melon exports were also stopped due to bad weather. As a result of the low demand, the average prices paid to producers have been quite low throughout the month.
The trend that started at the end of July has continued during the first days of August and there is still no recovery in the usual demand for any variety. "The August productions arrived with excellent quality, formidable flavor, texture, and very good yields for producers. If the weather is good at the source, consumption will certainly go up," Montesinos stated.
Productions until the end of September
Currently, Murcian exporters in the high areas of the Region of Murcia and Castilla La Mancha, which offer better agronomic and climatic conditions for this very hot time of year in the southeast of Spain, are harvesting their production.
Proexport melon and watermelon producers are confident that they will continue supplying the market until the third week of September, in accordance with their production schedules, and that demand will improve due to the arrival of the heat forecast for the next few days in Germany, France, Austria, and Switzerland.
“Despite having recorded what could be the lowest demand for melon and watermelon of the decade, we hope that the improvement in temperatures starting August 10 or 11 in central Europe will trigger the consumption of melon and watermelon, the most refreshing fruits, which would cheer Spanish producers after a very hard month of July,” Montesinos added.
For more information:
Proexport
Ronda Levante, 1 Entlo. 30008 Murcia (España)
Tel.: +34 968 27 17 79
proexport@proexport.es
www.proexport.es