There are approximately 350 hectares invested in melons and watermelons this year by the producers' organization O.P Agricola Campidanese. So far, 75 per cent of the produce has already been harvested and placed on the market, but the current campaign seems to have more lows than highs. It is an anomalous campaign for these summer crops, which has started late due above all to unfavorable weather conditions.
We talked about it with Salvatore Lotta, director of this growers' organization, known in Europe for the L'Orto di Eleonora brand.
"We can compare the season to an accordion," he explains. "The weather caused many problems, both during the planting and growing of seedlings and during the ripening and harvesting phases, resulting in rapid and unpredictable changes on the market. After a rainy June, which caused a delay in the ripening and a drop in yields, a scorching heat in July propelled the demand upwards. But then again, that was the only time when consumption spiked. Temperatures dropped again in the first 10 days of August, reducing supplies from both Italy and abroad by 40 per cent compared to the previous weeks. At present, melon and watermelon sales are stable again, but we are still far from last year's volumes."
The bizarre weather and high prices at the start of the season discouraged consumers, who of course also faced a reduction in purchasing power due to the economic crisis. And even though inflation is now slowing down, it remains above 10 per cent for the consumption of products.
"However, we are satisfied with the results achieved so far, both in the fields and sales, despite the challenges due to extreme weather conditions, amongst other factors. Mini watermelons Gavina and Eleonora have been at the forefront this season, with exports also to Switzerland, Austria and Germany. And the season is far from over. We still have watermelons until mid-September and melons as late as the end of October."
For more information:
Agricola Campidanese
Via Doria, 5
09098 Terralba (OR)
(+39) 0783 022959
info@agricolacampidanese.it
lortodieleonora.com