"The sunny weather has stimulated the demand for melons even more. This has resulted in higher prices. The supply of Galia melons, Cantaloupes, and watermelons from Costa Rica is at its end now. We will also end the yellow melon season next week", says Rob. "It will be a few weeks before Spain really gets going. The market situation can easily change, just like the weather."
Colleague, Nico Veldhoen says, "The acreage used for Galia and Cantaloupe melons in AlmerÃa has been minimised. This is due to poor past results and a shortage of good varieties. There was very little supply of these melons up to week 22/23. In week 21/22, we did get greenhouse melons from Murcia. This season only really gets going at around week 23/24. Watermelon production is delayed. The yield is lower because of the volatile weather conditions and low temperatures. Watermelons will, therefore, remain pricey in the coming weeks."
Stable volumes from Costa Rica
The importer can look back on a good Costa Rican melon season. "The volumes were very stable throughout the market. Watermelons prices remained good from the start. They did not drop. Yellow melons were priced somewhat lower at the beginning of the season. Now, in the end, you do see good prices."
The importer can look back on a good Costa Rican melon season. "The volumes were very stable throughout the market. Watermelons prices remained good from the start. They did not drop. Yellow melons were priced somewhat lower at the beginning of the season. Now, in the end, you do see good prices."
"We use only a small portion of our Costa Rican acreage for Cantaloupe. In general, the acreage has been significantly reduced in that country", Rob continues. "The Cantaloupe is a delicious melon. It does, however, not look nice, no matter how hard the breeders try to change this. When it comes to appearance, the Galia does well. The Piel de Sapo, which is grown in southern countries is also valued. The melon that might be the tastiest of all can hardly get a foot in the door in the Dutch and Western European retail sector."
The current trends in the melon market can be seen in the sizes. This is according to the importer from the Dutch town of Papendrecht. "We have seen a rising demand for smaller watermelons in recent years. This is partly because seedless watermelons are more popular. Some German retailers have switched completely. But then it is difficult to get the needed volumes. This is because there is simply less acreage available in Costa Rica. Melon consumption also remains highly dependent on the weather."
According to Rob, Costa Rica and Brazil continue to provide the bulk of the foreign volume. "You also see somewhat of an offer from Panama and Honduras, besides the Costa Rican season. North African countries like Senegal and Morocco also feature every year. Their volumes mostly go to Spain and France."
For more information:
Rob Bras
Staay-Hispa B.V.
Tel: + 31 (0) 180 679 100
Rob.Bras@staay-hispa.nl
www.staay.nl