Despite a slight decrease in the amount of acres, around 1%, the melon production in France is expected to have an increase of 5% compared to 2011. According to the French ministry of agriculture, approximately 283,500 tons of melons will be produced within an acreage of 14,600 hectares. The German agricultural market information company (AMI) reported that the season started two to three weeks later than last year due to rain and cold weather conditions.
According to a June estimation from Agreste, the statistical office for the French ministry of agriculture, the melon acreages in the south east of France will decrease by two percent with 5,500 hectares and the south west will experience a one percent decrease of 3,700 hectares. Production in the south west of the country will increase the most with 22 percent. Around half of the French melons this year will be produced in polytunnels.
The polytunnel plantings will conclude at the end of June in the centre of France, whereas this is already the case for the ground plantings in the south west of the country. The largest harvest quantities are expected end July/early August.