Italy: South leads the watermelon and melon production

Watermelons ranked sixth in the classification of the biggest volumes of vegetables, roots and tubers produced worldwide. 70% is cultivated in China, followed by Turkey, Iran and Brazil.

Area (hectares) and production (quintals): watermelons
Details per area - Year 2012


In 2010 Italy reduced its imported volumes progressively, with now only a small amount coming from Costa Rica.

As regards melon, the five countries with the best yields in 2000-2012 Porto Rico (321.1 ton/ha), Cyprus (59.7 ton/ha), Jordan (35 ton/ha), Austria (34.5 ton/ha) and the Netherlands (33.6 ton/ha).

The five countries with the best melon yields - Media 2000-2012

Source: Faostat

In 2013, Italy produced over 460,000 tons on 22,228 hectares, 13,867 of which in the South of the country.

Area (hectares) and production (quintals): melons
Details per area - Year 2013


Recent wholesale quotations
According to CAAT- Centro Agro Alimentare di Torino pricelists, the following quotation were recorded in the past 5 days:

• 0.60-0.65 euro/kg for baby watermelons (grade 2-3 kg) from Sicily in single-layers;
• 0.37-0.40 euro/kg for Italian watermelons (grade 8-12 kg) loose in bins;
• 0.38-0.42 euro/kg for Italian watermelons (grade 12-16 kg) loose in bins;
• 0.58-0.63 euro/kg up to June 16th and 0.50-0.53 euro/kg on June 17th for Greek watermelons (grade 12-16 kg) loose in bins;
• 0.70-0.90 / 1.10-1.20 / 0.90-1.00 euro/kg for Italian netted melons (grade 1000-1250 gr) in single-layers;
• 0.70-0.80 / 1.45-1.55/ 1.25-1.35 euro/kg for Italian netted melons (grade 1250-1600 gr) in single-layers;
• 1.15-1.25 / 1.65-1.75 / 1.50-1.60 euro/kg for Lombard smooth melons (grade 750-1000 gr) in single-layers;
• 1.25-1.35 / 1.80-1.90 / 1.60-1.70 euro/kg for Lombard smooth melons (grade 1000-1250 gr) in single-layers.

According to CAR - Centro Agroalimentare di Roma data, on 10th, 12th, 13th and 15th June 2014 the following prices were recorded:

• 0.45 euro/kg for Italian watermelons (grades 8-12 and 12-16 kg) loose in bins and Sicilian watermelons (grade 8-12 kg) loose in bins;
• 0.50 euro/kg for Sicilian watermelons (grades 8-12 kg) in single-layers;
• 0.70 euro/kg for Sicilian baby watermelons (grades 2-3 kg) in single-layers;
• from 1.00-1.10 euro/kg (10th June) to 1.10-1.20 euro/kg (15th June) for Italian netted melons (grade 1250-1600 gr) in single-layer;
• from 0.90 euro/kg (10th June) to 1.20-1.30 euro/kg (15th June) for Moroccan netted melons (grade 1000-1250 gr) in single-layers.

According to the Mercuriale in Vittoria, the main prices for watermelons fluctuated between the 0.25 euro/kg of 9th June and the 0.30 euro/kg of 17th June. As regards melons, the main price hovers between the 0.40 euro/kg (yellow, Proteo and Mundial) of 9th June and the 0.50 euro/kg (Mundial) / 0.60 euro/kg (Proteo) of 17th June.