"Our first melons were packed last week and will hit the market at the perfect time. The Brazilian volumes are almost over, so there's a strong demand for the new fruit from Costa Rica. The first fruit will arrive in week 6," says the Dutch company Exsa Europe's Eddy Kreukniet.
"Our production started last week with Quetzali watermelons and SV6276 yellow melons. In the coming weeks, we'll add seedless and mini-seedless watermelons, Piel de Sapo, and Galias. We're also planning to grow Dino, Charantais, and Orange Candy melons on a small scale this year. Those should arrive around week 9-10."
Great distribution
"Our organization has grown to five farms/production areas over the past few years, so we're ideally spread across Costa Rica. That's fantastic for continuity and risk management. Last year, we expanded our Galia and Cantaloupe packing plant with larger, better pre-cooling facilities. This year and in the future, we'll thus focus more on Galia, Cantaloupe, and Charantais melons," Eddy explains.
"Also, we've started a project in Panama, where, this year, our priority is water and yellow melons. All our growers meet the highest food safety requirements/certifications and are GRASP and EtiSmeta certified. We've, therefore, developed over the past ten years as an overseas melon specialist with an excellent position from Brazil and now also own production from Panama."
Always challenging
"This season's run-up is, again, very exciting. In particular, the local exchange rate has developed very negatively against the US dollar. It depreciated almost 30% compared to last year, negatively impacting chain costs. Labor, boxes, crop protection agents, etc., are all paid in Costa Rican Colóns. Fortunately, there's a minor correction regarding container transport, but that's not enough to curb local costs," Eddy concludes.
For more information:
Eddy Kreukniet
Exsa Europe
Tel: +31 (0) 887 350 003
Mob: +31 (0) 620 257 811
info@exsaeurope.com
www.exsaeurope.com