According to data compiled by Hortoinfo from the statistical services of Euroestacom (ICEX-Eurostat), Spain is no longer the leading supplier of melons to European Union markets, a role that was taken over by Brazil.
Between January and June of this year, Spain sold 54.35 million kilos of melons to EU markets, i.e. 46.23 million kilos or 45.96% less than in the same period of the previous year. In terms of value, Spanish sales fell by €66.46 million, or 56.26%, to €51.67 million at an average price of €0.95/kg.
This has allowed Brazil to become the largest supplier of this fruit in the EU. Between January 1 and June 30, Brazil sold 62.43 million kilos of melon to the EU, i.e. 4.89% less than in the same period last year. Brazilian melon sales in the first half of the year amounted to 59.16 million euro and the average stood at €0.95/kg.
In the first half of 2023, the Netherlands was the third biggest supplier with a volume of 53.1 million kilos (-8.4%) worth 78.62 million euro and an average price of €1.48/kg.
It was followed by Morocco with 41 million kilos (-2.7%) worth 65.28 million euro and an average price of €1.59/kg (i.e. 67.37% more expensive than Spanish melons).
Honduras ranked fifth with 28.59 million kilos (+11.06%) worth 37.81 million euro and an average price of €1.32/kg.
In total, between January 1 and June 30 of this year, EU member states purchased a volume of 313.47 million kilos of melon (-19.23%) for a value of 376.2 million euro and an average price of €1.2/kg.
Source: hortoinfo.es
