Melons from the Haut-Poitou region are usually harvested from July onwards, but this year’s excellent spring weather conditions have been favorable to their growth, shortening the ripening cycle by a week. The campaign began on June 25th and will last until the end of September. A special campaign, since it marks the 25th anniversary of the PGI label for Haut-Poitou melons. “To mark this anniversary, we celebrated the launch of the 2023 melon season on June 22nd at the Château de la Plante in Thuré. All partners of the Haut-Poitou melon sector were invited to a melon cocktail reception. The new graphic charter and logo created to further promote the quality of these melons were presented by our president. The Academicians and Experts in sensory analysis were also highlighted and inducted during the event,” explains Camille Raimbault, quality manager for the Haut-Poitou Melon PGI.
© Haut-Poitou Melon
A guarantee of quality with a positive impact on marketing
For 25 years now, the PGI label has had a positive impact in terms of marketing. “There is a strong demand for labeled products on the part of consumers, because the PGI is a guarantee of quality. The label is governed by strict rules, including compliance with specifications, regular checks by the PGI's Defense and Management Entity, and a selection of the best-tasting varieties, which guarantees a product of consistently high quality that lasts over time. This long-lasting quality has been supported and maintained for 25 years by a close-knit group of producers.”
© Haut-Poitou Melon
Target of 15,000 tons, including 3,000 tons of labeled melons
For this rather special campaign, a harvest of around 15,000 tons of Haut-Poitou melons is expected, including 3,000 tons with the PGI label. The target for this year's harvest is on the rise. “The weather conditions are currently favorable, and the quality and volumes are in line with producers' expectations. We marketed the first labeled melons on July 1st. In 2022, 2,500 tons were marketed under the PGI label, and we hope to increase this to 3,000 tons in 2023. Generally speaking, the volumes marketed have been stable since 2015, at approximately 2,000 to 3,000 tons. The production surfaces should remain stable over the coming years, at 1,250 -1,300 ha. Companies have defined production and sales capacities and cannot significantly increase their surface areas. Additionally, producers are faced with a number of constraints that limit their ability to expand their acreage, including the rising production costs and the difficulties in recruiting workers.”
© Haut-Poitou Melon
The production generates 1,500 direct jobs, for which it is still possible to apply.
For more information:
Camille Raimbault, quality manager
Syndicat des Producteurs de Melons du Haut-Poitou
melon.haut.poitou@free.fr
www.melon-hautpoitou.fr