The situation on the melon market is slightly better at the moment. This was said by Rolf Weber of Global Producers from Venlo. According to the trader this isn't due to an improved demand, but due to one boat of Brazilian melons not being loaded and another being delayed. Shipping company Maersk has decided to do this after strikes in Uruguay. This has made the melon market more stable in price, as the supply has stagnated."
According to the trader there is mainly a shortage of Cantaloupe melons at the moment. "There are also huge price differences in the available yellow melons. In general the losses in all melons have been big in recent weeks, The market of water melons has stabilised a little now, but was making losses for ten weeks, 4-5 Euro per box. Every container of watermelons cost 4,000 to 5,000 Euro."
"Honduras is very early this year and is expected in Europe with Cantaloupe and Galia in December. Costa Rica is three weeks earlier and will start shipping watermelons and yellow melons in mid/late December, as the weather in Central America is very good. Guatemala has planted more melons for export to Europe for the first time, so we'll have to wait and see how the melon market will go over the next few weeks."
For more information:
Rolf Weber
rolf@global-producers.nl
Global Producers B.V.
Venrayseweg 114D
5928 RH Venlo
Tel 0031 77 465 8100