"We are supplying our customers every other day, with an average of more than 15 tons of watermelons each. At the moment, there is a high demand, and prices are also high, and there seems to be no shortage of product, also because the harvest has now started in all the main Italian production areas, after the delay caused by the unfavourable weather in May and June,” says Ermanno Barletta of Biemme Srl, a company based in the southern Italian province of Lecce that supplies fruit and vegetables to wholesalers and supermarkets in Italy, Germany and Switzerland.
Ermanno Barletta
"At the end of May, we marketed the first Melania watermelons produced in greenhouses. The price at that time was €0.70 per kilo,
but the demand was somewhat discouraged by the adverse weather. Traditional watermelons over 10 kilos fetch grower prices as low as €0.40 per kilo, compared to €0.15-0.25 in a normal year. The factor that makes the biggest difference in negotiations is quality, and Nardò watermelon is one of the most important crops in Salento."
The price rise is partly to be attributed to the bizarre spring weather during fruiting, which led to a significant drop in yields, especially in early planting, going from 60-70 tons/ha to 35-40 tons/ha.
"A few days ago, the price situation changed. Due to the higher yield per hectare, there is a drop in grower prices. Currently they are around €0.30-0.35 per kilo. The drop does not scare us that much. After all, we believe prices will still remain satisfactory. The market for traditional watermelons seems to be holding up well. Obviously, sales will depend on the weather. Let's hope the nice weather continues after endless weeks of rain. It is time for summer to begin!" concluded the Apulian grower.
For more information:
Biemme Srl
Via duca di Genova 11
73044 Galatone LE
+39 329 732 8920
[email protected]
biemme-srl.it
