The fact that the watermelon season started slightly late in Crotone means the sales calendar was extended. Demand and supply are well balanced at the moment, though prices are dropping, as can be expected at the end of the season.
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"The 15 day delay is making itself heard, although demand is still good and therefore demand and supply are balanced. Nonetheless, prices are dropping," reports Iolanda Turrà, manager of Azienda Agricola Giovanni Turrà.
The season is indeed ending. "We will continue to commercialize the produce in week 36, then the campaign will be over. Demand from retail chains has slowed down, that from domestic markets is not bad but it fluctuates. Exports are still going."
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"We work very well with France, Germany, Poland and Malta. As the trucks go through Austria to reach Poland, they must weight 204 quintals. There are limitations in France as well, but they are slightly higher. The packaging is more or less the same as the produce is placed in cardboard crates. When it comes to the type of product, we ship mainly mini and medium-small watermelons."
As for Malta, "we started commercializing with them a few weeks ago and, just like all other Mediterranean countries, they prefer larger fruits weighing 13 kg minimum."
"We have started making the soil ready for fennel transplants and harvesting should start in mid-November, weather permitting. Temperatures are still high at the moment and so is humidity, so things are looking good."