After the apricots, it is now time for the melon harvest predictions. Like every year, the Interprofessional Melon Association presented the 2023 plantation predictions for Charentais melons at medFEL for Morocco, Spain and France.
For the first time in years, the predictions indicate a slight increase in surfaces for France, a slight decrease for Morocco and a very marked decline for Spain, continuing the trend already observed in 2022. The Interprofessional Melon Association also expressed its concerns, common to many other sectors, about the availability of water resources and the increase in production costs.
(Left to right) Rémi Javernaud, Marion Mispouillé, coordinator of the Interprofessional Melon Association (AIM), Olivier Masbou, Jérôme Jausseran producer and AIM communication manager, and Myriam Martineau, producer and president of AIM.
The data is likely to change as planting is still on-going and the weather conditions may still influence the final figures.
Morocco: slight decrease in surfaces
The predictions are slightly down for Morocco, with a total of 1,360 hectares planted in 2023 (a decrease of 50 hectares).
In Kenitra, the surfaces are stable, with 120 hectares (mainly yellow Charentais melons). Marrakech shows a slight decrease of 80 hectares in 2023 for a total of 870 hectares of mainly green Charentais melons (65% in the field and 35% in greenhouses, compared to 50/50 previously). Agadir is stable with 140 hectares of green Charentais and Dakhla shows a slight increase of 30 hectares, for a total of 230 hectares.
Spain: historic drop in predictions, the 2022 trend continues
“Spain has experienced in 3 years what France experienced in 10 years in terms of loss of surface area,” explains Miriam Martineau. The historic decline of 2022 continues this year with a decrease of 870 hectares for a total of 3,130 hectares (22% less area and -35% in two years). This decline is observed especially in the region of Murcia/Alicante, “a direct consequence of the campaigns of 2020, 2021 and 2022.”
Murcia-Alicante: 2,200 hectares in total. Nearly 30% of the surface area has been lost (900 hectares). Séville shows an increase of 30 hectares for a total of 440 hectares. In Almeria, the situation is stable, with 300 hectares of green Charentais melons.
France: slight increase in surfaces
After several years of drastic decline in surface areas, France is now “relatively stable in terms of planting predictions.” (Between 2012 and 2022, France went from 14,750 hectares to 10,500 hectares). “We hope it means the end of this vicious cycle. The future will tell us if this is the case or not,” explains Myriam Martineau.
In total, 10,500 hectares are expected for France, with a very slight increase of approximately 100 hectares.
Centre-West: the region has lost a lot of surface in recent years. It is now stable again, with 2,700 hectares, including 10 hectares of greenhouses. The southwest of France is stable this year with 2,300 hectares. The southeast sees a slight increase of about 100 hectares this year, for a total of 5,500 hectares.
“Last year’s campaign went well starting from the 10th of July. The month of June was very complicated because of the historical delay from Spain and the early arrivals from the southeastern basin. Last year, the weather was favorable for the consumption of melons, except in the last weeks of the month. Luckily for the sector this year, the surface areas are relatively stable. Planting continues and the predictions in terms of volumes and production peaks will depend on the conditions of the fruit set and on the weather.”
The Charentais melon remains a favorite
Some producers had turned to other varieties, but the Charentais melon is a favorite again. “Three or four years ago, we had observed a certain desire to go towards other varieties of melons such as the Galia or Piel de sapo. Last year, after the complicated 2021 campaign, we noticed that operators refocused on the Charentais. And the same trend can be observed this year. There is not so much enthusiasm any more for other varieties.”
2023: concern regarding water and rising costs
Like the other fruit and vegetable sectors, the Interprofessional Melon Association has expressed its concerns about the availability of water resources for the next few seasons, and about the increase in production costs.
For more information:
Association Interprofessionnelle du Melon (AIM)
lemelondenosregions.fr