Murcia is taking over melon and watermelon production as the harvest comes to an end in Almeria. Volumes are moderate at the moment due to the impact of the March rains on the setting of the earliest blossoms, although they are expected to increase and reach their usual levels by the end of June. Meanwhile, demand continues to rise across Europe.
"The vast majority of European supermarket chains are already switching from Almeria's greenhouse melon and watermelon crops to Murcia's open ground crops," says Felipe López, Managing Director of the Murcian cooperative Gregal and representative of the vegetable sector at Fecoam.
Murcia's melon and watermelon supply is currently steady. "So far, volumes have been lower than usual due to the impact of the rains recorded in the first 20 days of March, which made the planting almost impossible. We are still working to meet the orders as far as possible, bearing in mind that demand is increasing. Over the next few days, production will increase, and by the end of June, we should already have our usual volumes and be able to guarantee the supply," says Felipe López.
According to the Managing Director of Gregal, Piel de Sapo melons are the most affected by shortages at the moment, and demand for them is also rapidly increasing. This variety is mostly intended for the domestic market, although exports continue to increase slightly each year. In the case of Galia melons, the supply and demand are fairly balanced.
"Finding commercial sizes of various melon and watermelon varieties has also been harder in this first part of the season because of the lower yields of certain earlier varieties, which has resulted in the fruit growing to larger sizes," he says. "Nonetheless, large retailers have generally been flexible, given the good quality and Brix levels of the melons and watermelons. In the coming weeks, sizes will improve as the mid-season varieties continue to arrive."
According to Felipe López, the melon and watermelon acreage remain at similar levels to last season, with no major changes in any varieties.
For more information:
Felipe López
Gregal
Carril Los Pérez, S/N
30700 Torre Pacheco, Murcia. Spain
Tel.: +34 968 58 55 56
[email protected]
www.gregal.com