Giumarra increase watermelon tonnage in Mexico
The early time frame is attributed to earlier transplanting, improved growing practices, and ideal weather conditions. John Corsaro, Gil Munguia, Cesar Pacheco, and Scott Ross of Giumarra recently visited the company’s grower partner ranches in Sonora to assess the crop.
“These are some of the nicest quality fields I’ve seen, with excellent size, clean fruit, and great tonnage,” says Corsaro, CEO of the Giumarra Companies.
In describing the harvest pattern, Cesar Pacheco mentions the success Giumarra Nogales has had in filling its watermelon gap by trialling watermelon crops in different areas of Mexico outside of its normal production in Sonora. The company now produces watermelons in the Mexican states of Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, Colima, and Michoacán.
“We will have a slight overlap as we transition out of the fruit from southern Mexico. Our Sonoran program starts just south of Guaymas and progresses northward as we work our way to Hermosillo,” says Pacheco, Sales Manager of Giumarra Nogales.
Giumarra Nogales is well positioned to service customers with excellent quality and volume throughout June, and can offer Fair Trade Certified™ watermelons to customers who are interested. The program markets the certified watermelon for a slight premium, with labelling and point-of-sale materials to let consumers know their purchase is directly benefiting farm workers.
“Our grower is deeply invested in the Fair Trade program and for two years, has used it to complement the excellent social responsibility principles already in place at his ranches,” says Gil Munguia, Division Manager of Giumarra Nogales. “We hope to see more customers interested in the program in the future as they realize the value of connecting with consumers in this way.”
For more information:
Megan Schulz
The Giumarra Companies
Tel: +1 213.627.2900
Fax: +1 213.628.4878
Email: mschulz@giumarra.com
www.giumarra.com