The demand for honeydew melons leading up to the Easter holiday hasn't been as impressive as in past years. While the market is steady, current prices are below what some handlers were seeing at this time last season.“We didn't get the pull we expected from Easter,” said Brad Edmonds of Central American Produce. “I don't think you can blame that on the weather. For some reason, there's just been a lack of demand, so it's been a really strange year.”
As a result, prices have been middling. On March 18, prices for a carton of honeydew 5s from Guatemala and Honduras were between $7.95 and $8.95 at South Florida ports of entry, and Edmonds said he saw prices per carton get as low as $5.00 last week. Last year, he noted, prices were closer to $11.00 and $12.00 per carton.
“There's been a consistent supply of melons from Honduras and the quality has been good,” said Edmonds. “But things have just slowed down. I would hope that things get better next month when some promotions can suck up some of the volume and we can move melons at better prices.”
For more information:
Brad Edmonds
Central American Produce
+1 954 943 2303