Melon and watermelon, has so far been different to last season's. Although prices during the first week were not the most desirable, as explained by Francisco Vargas, president of Asaja, they increased by a few cents in the second week, and in the case of watermelons, according to Andrés Góngora, Coag's general secretary, "the fruit's prices are registering much better levels than last year."
There still is, and there will be for a while, produce from South American countries and Senegal in the European market; however, the increase in consumption as a result of the Easter temperatures has played a major role. "Consumers demanded melons and watermelons during that time, which led to competitors selling larger volumes before the arrival of Almeria's produce, which has cleared the competition away," explained Andrés Góngora.
Seeded
One of the biggest differences with last year's campaign is the greater demand for seeded watermelons. Last year, explained Andrés Góngora, "the market did not demand seeded watermelons and growers struggled to keep them in their greenhouses, selling them at very low prices. However, this April things have turned around. Thanks to the weather, the product has been more appreciated and prices have reached up to 0.55 Euro per kilo." Seeded watermelons now stand at around 0.65 Euro, "although supply of this product is currently lower."
Last year, the massive entry of Senegalese produce, according to Coag's provincial secretary, "saturated the market and caused prices to sink." The current price of melons, "although low for the period we are in and the volumes being provided by Almeria, is still not bad," assures Vargas. The first batches of Galia are being sold for 0.90 Euro per kilo.
Although temperatures have dropped over the past week, the agricultural organisations' representatives expect the weather to improve once larger volumes start entering the market so that consumption and prices can do likewise.
Source: ideal.es