"Last year in the same period, we sent about 8,000 cartons of watermelons and melons a day to wholesale markets and retailers. Now it's only a little over 2,000. It is the result of very bad weather with continuous rain for weeks. Because that has not only led to a two-week delay in fruit ripening and a smaller yield, but also to a sharp drop in consumption," said Salvatore Lotta, commercial director of OP Agricola Campidanese, a Sardinian growers' association that commercializes its products under the L'orto di Eleonora brand.
"However, we have noticed a change in the last week. In the meantime, summer has arrived and sales prices skyrocketed. "But as of a week ago, we are seeing a turnaround. Meanwhile, summer is in the country and sales prices skyrocketed. We are seeing increases in prices as high as 100%. Traditional watermelons with seeds are being sold at €0.80-0.90 per kilo, while the minis can even exceed €1."
Salvatore Lotta - mini watermelons Gavina and Eleonora
The Sardinian company explains that the early varieties were most damaged by persistent rainfall in May and June. There was also uneven fruit setting, caused by the large temperature variations from dawn to dusk. "And also the development of fungal diseases is inevitable in such humid conditions," says Lotta. "The drop in yields reaches more than 30 percent in some areas. The situation in other growing regions of Europe is no different. The weather so far has been unfavorable for the cultivation of melons and many other summer fruits, not only in Italy."
However, there is no lack of confidence. "In the next two weeks the season will reach its peak and if it stays warm, consumption will remain high and prices stable. Nevertheless, we will soon see prices slightly decrease, which happens every year once the season is well underway. By the end of the week, we also expect to be able to ship the first pallets to customers in Europe, since the harvested quantities have been gradually increasing."
For more information:
Agricola Campidanese
Via Doria, 5
09098 Terralba (OR)
(+39) 0783 022959
info@agricolacampidanese.it
lortodieleonora.com