For a year now, Top Fruits has been producing its own melons through its Spanish subsidiary Calistafrut, which are sold under the brand Le Précieux.
The advantage of being a producer, according to Julien Rouxel, is that “we are able to control the varieties we want to plant, to be certain of the volumes, to have a better reading of the market, especially during the peaks and dips of production, and to better respond to the demand of our clients.” It is also a way of promoting our know-how, and developing our activity and our range. “Moreover, it shows that we are involved in production and varietal research.”
The company plans to start producing ratatouille vegetables “in order to develop the autumn range and extend the season. Our long-term objective is to be able to offer to our clients a maximum number of references from our own production.”
© Top Fruits
Good season ahead for both melons and watermelons
Despite a decrease in surface areas for the Spanish melons and Moroccan watermelons, the season looks promising. “There have been significant water restrictions in Morocco”, as well as in Spain. “Last year, the season was difficult due to the weather conditions and a fairly complicated market. As a result, producers decided to plant less.” According to Julien, 2023 should still be a good year for melons. “Everything is in place to have a good campaign and the weather conditions are ideal.”
The two flagship products of the summer will start next week. 2,000 tons of Charentais melons from Spain are expected and no less than 6,000 tons of watermelons from Morocco / © Top Fruits
Sweeter varieties for consumers
Synonymous with summer, the melon is eagerly awaited by consumers. “Today's varieties are better adapted to the taste of consumers who are looking for a higher sugar content. Thanks to research, the varieties have also gained in shelf life. The products travel better, have a better shelf life and also keep better at home.”
© Top Fruits
Top Fruits mainly offers elongated watermelons (from Mauritania and Morocco), but the company also has black and striped round watermelons from Spain within its range. These are fairly recent products that continue to develop year after year.
For more information: 
Top Fruits
129 rue De Murcia
66034 Perpignan
Phone: 04 68 56 60 61
top-fruits.fr