Melon sales are good this week, says Bertus Schipper of Zoutewelle in the Netherlands. "Melons were in very short supply at the start of the season, and prices had never been as high. Those have since fallen slightly but are still very decent."
"We're getting the same volumes as last year from Costa Rica, but then there were far fewer planted. Despite all the rain in that country, we're well pleased with the melons' quality so far. That obviously doesn't guarantee the quality of the next arrivals," Berus explains.
"Quetzalí watermelons are priced between €0.90 and €1 with somewhat fewer small sizes. Seedless melons are currently fetching €1 to €1.10/kg. The yellow melon market is quite good, with a kilogram costing €1.60. Cantaloupes are under a bit more pressure again, with around €1 per kilo prices."
"Overall, great prices. Usually, you'd say warmer weather boosts, say, the watermelon market, but we got €1.60 in the heart of winter. You, thus, can't use that as a gauge anymore. However, Ramadan started early, which always boosts watermelon sales. This week, sales are, therefore, better than last week. When prices were high, sales toward, particularly the wholesale market, lagged. Now, both supermarket suppliers' and wholesalers' orders are coming in well again," Bertus concludes.
For more information:
Bertus Schipper
Zoutewelle
140 Handelsweg
2988 DC, Ridderkerk, NL
Tel: +31 (0) 180 642 364
Email: bertus.schipper@zoutewelle.com
Website: www.zoutewelle.com