"Melon growers in Murcia planted about 25 to 30% fewer melons than previous years", says Patrick de Roeck of the Belgian company with the same name. "The farmers in Murcia (Spain) are tired of the low prices. They hope to drive prices up by limiting the supply. In previous years, Murcia melons have been very cheap. That must change this year. This will not lead to shortages, but there will be less supply than in previous seasons."
The first Spanish watermelons arrived last week. "The watermelons are of good quality, but they are a bit small. These small sizes are probably thanks, in part, to the bad weather that Spain has been experiencing lately. Watermelon prices are on the high side - between EUR1 and EUR1,30 per kg. I do, however, expect the prices to stabilise quickly because they are costly", according to Patrick.
"There is a shortage of Cantaloupe melons this week. Spain has hardly any Cantaloupe melons. The foreign season is also fast coming to an end. There will be a supply from Spain in two weeks but there have been delays." There is also not an oversupply of Galia melons. "There are enough Galia melons but not too many. We will wait and see what the weather does this summer. I expect melon prices to be higher than last season", concludes Patrick.
For more information:
Patrick de Roeck
De Roeck & Zonen
112 - 154 Werkhuizenkaai
Warehouse 50-52
1000 Brussels
+32 (0) 224 262 20