Due to late rains falling until afterNovember last year, the melon season 2011/12 in Honduras was delayed for twoweeks and the harvest started in January instead of December, as expected.
"This delay greatly helpedGuatemala, which had November and December to sell their melons to NorthAmerica at good prices, despite the late rains causing the first exports to below on Brix (sugar levels)" said Mauro Suazo, president of the LatinAmerican Association of Melon and Watermelon Producers and Exporters.
Although the weather negativelyaffected melon production in Honduras and delayed their international exports,they achieved their North American export goals. "However, the fruitHonduras exported to the European market was subpar in quality and smaller insize than ideal, causing exporters to be paid lower prices." Suazoaffirms.
The European market also saw thereintroduction of Guatemalan melons, this time of the Cantaloupe variety. Maurosays that this season "proved that if Guatemala and Honduras produce well,Costa Rica suffers the consequences, as productions costs for Costa Rica arehigher in comparison."
Panama, on the other hand, achievedpoor results due to late harvests, early rains and farmer strike actions, whichblocked the roads and stopped fruit exports.