"The yellow melon is widely cultivated in various areas of the world and therefore most Italian consumers are used to seeing this fruit on the shelf all year round. The product arrives from the areas in seasonal production, while during those periods in which the national supply is not available, it is imported from abroad, usually from Brazil or Costa Rica".
Pietro Campo, a young management engineer devoted to agriculture, who runs the family business "Segesta di Alcamo" (TP) in western Sicily, offered us an analysis of the consumption trends of Italians with regard to melons.
Pietro Campo surrounded by melon transplants
"Although known as yellow melon, this product has very different nuances, according to the place where it is cultivated, for obvious reasons of climatic, environmental and territorial conditions. In Italy the yellow melon is mainly cultivated in western Sicily, in particular in a vast area of Trapani and, partly, in Palermo. Melons cultivated in these areas are known for their high quality and their peculiar organoleptic characteristics, thanks to the particular soil and climate," continued Pietro Campo.
Yellow Melon
"In Italy, the Yellow melon is harvested from June to October. Currently, the most early varieties harvested in June and July are Cartago and Geos. The medium-late transplants harvested in August, September and October, are the Giorillo and Kosmos varieties".
"The year 2020 was characterized by an excellent quality but the quantities on the plants were lower compared to the past years. Because of this, the price has been constant, because there have not been significant overlaps in production and was on average 0.40-0.45 €/kg in the countryside".
The Segesta company's distribution channels are those of the large-scale retail trade and fruit and vegetable markets, while the destinations are mainly those of southern Italy.
Purceddu melon variety
"The retail channel market share increases year by year and is the most relevant. The increase is due to an increased recognition of the product's qualities, especially the Sicilian one. This has led to an increase in purchases in Northern Italy and abroad. The 2021 campaign is about to start and it is still early to make forecasts. The only certain fact is the quality of the Sicilian yellow melon, which combines taste, respect for the environment and food safety".
"Another remarkable melon variety grown in the Trapani area and in small areas of Palermo is the Purceddu d'Alcamo. This melon, with a dark green external color, and white inside, is a unique product in the world. There is no other melon with the same aesthetic and organoleptic characteristics. The Purceddu is preserved for months after the harvesting and sold in autumn and winter. The reference market is a niche one, since this melon is not very well known, in spite of its extraordinary taste. Nevertheless, the Purceddu melon is also a Slow Food Presidium. Transplanting takes place in May, mostly with the Neros variety, and harvesting takes place in August. Summer prices here are around 0.50 €/kg, and then increase to double in winter," concluded Pietro Campo.
Contact:
Azienda Agricola Segesta 
C.da Gallitello
91013 Calatafimi (TP)
Tel. +39 3339227655
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.segestano.com
