After experiencing three years of variable weather, Spain's watermelon and melon sectors prepare for the 2025 season with cautious optimism. Enhanced rainfall and increasing temperatures have created more favorable conditions for this year's harvest, according to discussions between the Ministry of Agriculture and representatives from the fruit sector.
Officials highlighted that a complete recovery has not yet been achieved—melon and watermelon planted areas have contracted by 1.8% and 0.8%, respectively, from the previous year. However, efforts are underway to enhance both consumption and production.
In 2024, Spain's watermelon harvest amounted to over 1.2 million tons, slightly exceeding the 1.15 million tons in 2023 and 1.16 million tons in 2022. Melon output was 515,000 tons last year, still trailing 2021's peak of 652,600 tons.
Despite such challenges, Spain remains a foremost global melon and watermelon exporter, with 1.14 million tons exported in 2023, generating over €900 million. While Brazil, Senegal, Morocco, and Mauritania also supply to Europe, Spanish volumes still lead.
Domestically, consumption remains robust, with Spanish households in 2023 consuming 331.8 million kilos of watermelon and 297 million kilos of melon, averaging 7.1 kilos and 6.3 kilos per person, worth over €800 million combined.
Pere Roque from Asaja anticipates "Top-quality watermelon and melon in every Spanish home," attributing it to improved weather and access to better irrigation. Additionally, Plácido Pérez of COAG observed, "The forecast is that with the current sunny weather and lack of rain, it will set fruit in the coming days and there will be more production."
With Morocco still dealing with severe drought, Spanish growers aim to promote local products with reliable standards.
Source: Murcia Today
