Miguelito F1, on the right shows the difference in size from a conventional Piel de Sapo melon
Christian Thromas, Products Group Manager, EMEA, at Sakata Vegetables Europe, said that by keeping an eye on the trade news and talking to the traders it began to emerge that there was an interest for the Piel de Sapo in other markets, but often the size was a limitation for the consumers in Northern Europe. Seed companies then started to think about this, also taking into consideration that shipping ability, flesh appearance and taste were important factors. They saw opportunities and now most have succeeded in bringing a small sized Piel de Sapo to the market.
"We have been quite successful in the past 6/7 years in developing new genetics," explains Christian. "Gaining the shipping ability, which is demanded by the market and the traders, without jeopardizing the flavour. If you look at other vegetables such as tomatoes you will see that it is quite a challenge to get right. I would say that the breeding team at Sakata has been really quite successful at combining these two trends." "The development that we are seeing in Spain for the melon is that if you can't develop a melon with these two traits the traders won't buy it and the consumers might buy it once but won't come back again."
The new melon variety from Sakata is called Miguelito, with this variety the company wants to keep the good traits that they brought to the Spanish market.
Although the market trend in fruit and vegetables is towards fresh cut, Christian does not think there is enough interest in this for melons to go down that road yet.
"The fresh cut companies will be looking for something with a big size, firm flesh and a nice looking flesh but no growers today will dare to grow specific varieties for this product," according to him.
Christian Thromas
Sakata Vegetables Europe
Phone +33(0)4.66.71.75.05
Email: [email protected]
