Free online mini symposium on melon quality

On Friday, June 30, Normec’s produce specialists will host a free online symposium on melon quality. The melon world is continuously developing in order to have year round…

In the absence of Spain, Italy is the supplier of mini-watermelons to Europe

"Due to the bad weather in Spain destroying many mini-watermelon crops, demand from the foreign and domestic retail channel has shifted to Italy. Quotations have increased, but the produce is not enough to meet demand," reports Alberto Nocera, president of Agrieuropa in Terracina (Latina). "In general, the…

Melon consumption increasing despite insufficient volumes

"The melon sales trend started improving in early June with increasing consumption. The organoleptic qualities of the product are good, however volumes remain far below those of June 2022, meaning they do not meet demand," reports Pietro Paolo Ciardiello (at the center of the photo), director of Coop…

Increased consumption and steady quotations for melons and watermelons in Italy

The bad weather put a spoke in the wheels of the melon and watermelon campaign, leading to several diseases in the field and reducing the fruit set of the earliest transplants to a minimum. "Rain was recorded for two consecutive weeks and open field melons were either in flowering or fruiting. There was…

A complicated start to the French tomato campaign

Many summer products are weather sensitive, including tomatoes, for which the demand was not particularly strong in May. "The last few weeks have been difficult, with rather average prices, but we have still managed to sell our products," explains Christophe Rousse, president of the Solarenn cooperative.…

40 to 50 percent crop loss for stone fruit, but nice quantities of watermelons

"In the Emilia-Romagna region, many fields are under water, which has caused the loss of some crops such as melons and stone fruit. In Sicily, peaches and nectarines are also produced, and the flowering has been equally affected by the weather. Accordingly, there will be less produce," says Paride…

Watermelon exports from Uzbekistan were record high in May and could exceed 100,000 in June

Exports of Uzbek watermelons to foreign markets began in the first ten days of May 2023. This is nearly one week earlier than usual due to very hot weather in the country. The…

"Consumption of traditional Galia melons will increase exponentially over the next few years"

"The development of traditional Galia melon crops was optimal up until mid-May. The temperature was good and conditions were favorable for flowering, fruit set, and fruit development. However, in the past two weeks, the weather has been unstable and it has rained heavily in the southeast of Spain,”…

Domestic cantaloupes also starting late this spring

Joining the many crops that are late this year coast to coast, the domestic cantaloupe crop is seeing a delayed start as well. “Typically we start around the first or second week of May. This year we didn’t start packing until May 23,” says Justin Bootz with Legend Produce LLC. “We didn’t change planting…

“We want to offer tastier and more resistant melon varieties”

Gautier Semences offers a complete range of melon varieties, particularly adapted to the three main production basins in the southwest, center-west and southeast of France. All of these varieties meet resistance and productivity criteria. “We wanted all our varieties to be resistant to the main pests and…

"May had very ordinary melon prices"

On the European melon market, May was nothing to write home about. "That applies to not only the overseas season's tail end," says Leon van den Hombergh.  "But also the Spanish season's start." Leon is the Dutch company Frankort&Koning's commercial director. "The initial high temperatures in Spain accelerated production,…

Jordan: Melon farms in the Wadi Rum region swept away by floods

Last Monday, floods swept away crops and affecting roads in parts of Jordan, while large hailstones added to the destruction. Heavy overnight rain on Sunday in the southern…

"There will be a greater watermelon supply than last year, but lower than we expected"

The rains and lack of sunlight persist throughout the Spanish Levante, casting some doubts as to their possible impact on the supply of upcoming crops, such as watermelon, in the Region of Murcia. To make matters worse, in Lorca, a heavy hail storm was recorded on May 13 which took a toll on more than…

Sicilian Cantaloupe melons 0.10 to 0.20 cents per kg

"The Sicilian season of the Cantaloupe melon seems to be turning into an absolute disaster for the growers. They are being offered barely 0.20 cents per kilo for their product," said Alessandro Morgana, a small-scale grower from Palma di Montechiaro. The melons are grown in quite a vast area, from Palma…

Pair of Hokkaido melons fetch $25,000 at Japanese auction

A pair of premium melons in Japan's northern main island of Hokkaido fetched 3.5 million yen ($25,000) at the year's first auction. This is the event's second highest bid on…

Moroccan watermelon will be in big volumes this season

More volumes of Moroccan watermelons this season? less? statements contradict each other and uncertainty still reigns after the first harvests. However, according to several…

Would you pay 40,000 euro for this melon?

The world's most expensive melon, which was produced in Japan, but consumed in Madrid, has starred in a Tiktok video. @beaggil has published a video in which she tried one of…

Sakata's Piel de Sapo melon for greenhouses has been very well received in Almeria

Sakata has presented Don Gregorio, its first Piel de Sapo Melon for Greenhouse production, to farmers and marketers who were pleasantly surprised by this variety's flavor. “We have achieved our goal: to land in Almeria with a high-quality, excellent-tasting greenhouse melon that is no different from the…

"The current price of greenhouse watermelons only covers half of its production cost"

"The costs of producing greenhouse watermelon has increased sharply and, with the current yields, stands at € 0.45/kg. This puts producers in a critical situation as the prices that they are being currently paid for their product do not even cover half of the production costs." The price in origin has…

New sweeter watermelon varieties push nationwide sales in China

"Now is the season for our greenhouse watermelons in ShaHeXin, in China's Eastern Shandong Province. This year, we have newly planted 2K small watermelons. The sugar content of this watermelon can be 30% higher than ordinary watermelons and it has a great taste. We are growing along three-dimensional…

The Haut-Poitou melon launches 2023 season and celebrates 25th anniversary of PGI

“With its yellow rind, its firm, juicy and fragrant orange flesh, well-developed aroma and deliciously sweet taste,” the Haut-Poitou melon PGI is celebrating the 25 years of its label. Spread over 4 French departments (Maine-et-Loire, Indre-et-Loire, Vienne and Deux-Sèvres), the 12 producers cultivate on…

Egyptian melon and watermelon exporters await European summer

Like other North African origins, Egyptian melon and watermelon exporters are patiently waiting for the summer to start in Europe, and the increase in temperatures, favoring the consumption of these fruits. Mohamed Shahen, of the Egyptian producer Agro Pro, said: "Egyptian volumes of watermelon and melons…

Rio Grande do Norte/Ceará melon production yields lower volumes than usual

Melon production entered an off-season in Rio Grande do Norte/Ceará in April, with a lower volume than usual, due to more frequent rains in the region. As a result, exports in…

Aussie melons chase bigger slice of Asian markets

The peak industry body for the Australian melon industry, Melons Australia, will target opening access to emerging markets in south-east Asia as part of its strategy to grow its export share from 8 to 20 per cent over the next five years. Melons Australia executive officer Johnathon Davey. Executive officer…

Fierce competition for Turkish watermelons

The watermelon season in Turkey has kicked off, and according to Coskun Eren, marketing manager for Turkish fresh produce exporter Eren, everything is pretty much smooth sailing so far: “The general expectations for our watermelon season are okay for now. We will start with the open field watermelons…

"Watermelon prices have plunged to the levels they normally have in July due to the large supply and low demand"

The area devoted to watermelon cultivation in Spain decreased by about 20% over the previous season, a decrease that has been offset by higher yields than usual in Almeria's greenhouses. However, the production has found an unusually low demand in European markets due to bad weather. “Producers in…

Watermelon is no 1 on Iranian agro export list

A total of 221,690 tons of watermelon worth $46.54 million were exported from Iran during the first month of the current Iranian year (March 21-April 20), according to the…

Early demand from rest of Europe for Hungary’s 2023 watermelon crop

As Hungary’s watermelon season is expected to return to normal levels, after a challenging few years, buyers in the rest of Europe have already started placing orders in winter to secure supply. It is estimated the industry will see a 10% increase in area planted, which signals a return to 2021 levels in…

"Italian pepper consumption on the rise in Northern Europe and Scandinavia"

The bell pepper campaign has come to an end in the province of Almeria. As already reported by the Prices and Markets Observatory of the Government of Andalusia in week 16, the entry into production of Murcia and the Netherlands has directed international buyers mostly to these markets, so the…

Melon and watermelon production falls by 20%

According to estimates, this season's melon and watermelon production has decreased by more than 20% due to drought, high production costs, and the delay of the end of the winter campaigns. The COAG doesn't rule out that this year both fruits reach the high prices they achieved in supermarkets last…

"Energy prices, virus pressure have changed tomato cultivation"

"Energy prices and preventative measures for viruses have changed tomato cultivation," begins Tom Verdonck of Tomeco. "It's become quite tricky to guarantee stable delivery." Tomeco is a partnership between several Belgian growers that cultivate exclusively for Coöperatie Hoogstraten. The group's main…

"So far, watermelon sales have been driven more by the domestic market than by exports"

Almeria's watermelon season has quickly entered a cycle of price declines, despite it still being in its early stages. "There is a lot of supply and little demand; the opposite of last year, when the volumes available were much smaller due to the weather. Yields have reached 9 kilos per meter, while last…

Watermelons from Uzbekistan are already available for exports at competitive prices

According to EastFruit experts from Uzbekistan, the first wholesale batches of new crop watermelons are being shipped to export destinations from the southern regions of the…

"For the sake of the entire apple industry, we hope that better years are now ahead for the time being"

As one of the founding members in 1994, the Recht company has actively shaped the development of Elbe Obst Vertriebsgesellschaft from the very beginning. Today, the family-owned company based in Osterladekop, in the heart of the Alte Land, acts predominantly as a reliable partner in the association of…

Excellent Mundial netted melon campaign

"It's an excellent year for Consorzio Mundial Group melons. Demand is high and we are very pleased with both production and commercialization," explains President Domenico Raneri. Domenico Raneri "The weather, albeit fluctuating, facilitated production this year, so much so that ripening and Brix levels…

EastFruit

Who loves Moroccan watermelons the most?

EastFruit continues a series of articles on the horticultural market in Morocco. The country is confidently increasing exports of several categories of high-quality fresh fruits and vegetables, including Moroccan watermelons. Watermelon is one of the main fruit and vegetable export categories for Morocco…

Study finds positive impact of industry board on watermelon demand

The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) has released the findings of a new study, conducted along with research partner Armada Corporate Intelligence, Inc., that…

Increased Brazilian melon exports create tensions over water

In the Chapada do Apodi, a plateau that stretches across Rio Grande do Norte and neighbouring Ceará state, things began to change with the arrival of large melon producers in…

Indian farmer producer organizations successfully export watermelons to Dubai

Indian watermelons are earning a premium over those from Iran in Dubai with a few farmer producer organizations (FPOs) beginning to ship the fruit to the United Arab Emirates.…

High demand for summer fruits in Saudi Arabia

The beginning of summer in Saudi Arabia, with temperatures averaging 44 degrees, boosts the consumption of fresh fruit. The market is huge, and several origins are seeking a place in it. Kashif Shahzad, Head of International Supply Chain at Global Star, gives us an overview of the trends in the Saudi…

Possible watermelon shortage for 4th of July

While it’s a slower start for watermelons in Mexico due to the cool weather, supplies are increasing steadily. “We’re about 10 days behind but it’s steady and there’s great size and great quality,” says Dennis Peterson of Riverbend Fresh LLC. “On the earlier melons with the cooler weather, there was a…

"We are working with watermelon formats weighing from 1.5 to 3 kg, which are the most demanded in Europe"

Various agricultural associations are reporting a significant decline in the acreage devoted to watermelon production in southern Spain. Last April, Asaja Almeria estimated that as much as 2,500 hectares had been abandoned in the province. And similar issues are reported in other places. "In Seville and Cordoba,…

Black rind and red flesh: the midi seedless watermelon the big retail chain was looking for

Characterized by a bright red flesh and a dark green - almost black -rind, Dolce Passione watermelons are now part of a consortium. Consorzio Dolce Passione was in fact presented at Macfrut - a fully Italian project that is the result of over 7 years of research that have brought to the tables of…

"We will start with our leading products on May 20th"

The melon and watermelon campaign is about to start at O.P. Agricola Campidanese, i.e. the Sardinian organization that commercializes its produce under the L'Orto di Eleonora brand. FreshPlaza has talked about it with director Salvatore Lotta. "We started with covered melons around April 25th, which are sold…

"Good demand and enough supply of (water)melons in coming weeks"

"This season, we're continuing longer, until mid/end May, with good quality Brazilian and Honduran melons and watermelons. In May, supply from Spain and Italy will also slowly begin arriving, with expected limited quantities and high prices," begins Frank Ocampo (Melon and Watermelon Global Sourcing and…

Setting the standard to improve eating quality of Australian melons

A project to improve the eating quality and consumer demand of Australian melons is progressing well, with a series of grower meetings across Australia being completed by 3rd May 2023. The project, led by Mark Loeffen of Delytics Ltd in collaboration with Melons Australia and the Australian melon…

Moroccan watermelon exporters are looking forward to summer in Europe

More Moroccan watermelon volumes this season? less? The uncertainty is still hanging, statements contradict each other, and it seems that this question has become embarrassing in a context where the Moroccan authorities have put in place restrictions on production in some regions of the country due to…

Watermelon supply continues to increase but prices are falling because of the low demand in Europe due to bad weather

As the days go by, Almeria's watermelon supply continues to increase. However, the demand for this fruit in central and northern Europe has slowed down due to bad weather, causing prices to decrease. “We started harvesting the first seedless watermelons three ago, but the harvest really kicked in…

"Besides Dumara watermelons, this year also Piel de Sapo and yellow melons from Morocco"

The export ban imposed by Moroccan authorities brought the tomato season to an early end at Vegimex in the Netherlands. "That's very unfortunate because we had a nice season with good prices for loose tomatoes," says Robbert de Mie. "The Moroccan bell pepper season has ended too. We're already focusing…

Nutritional research confirms health benefits of regular watermelon consumption

A recent study, published in Nutrients, suggests that watermelon can increase nutrient intake and overall diet quality in both children and adults. The study analyzed National…

Turkish watermelon season delayed, but with good sizes

The start of the Turkish watermelon season was slightly delayed by the weather, Esra Soyleyen, managing partner of Turkish fruit exporter Aksun, says: “This year, due to the change of climate and the late arrival of winter, weather affected the watermelon crops. This resulted in a later start of the…

Spring melon deal underway in Mexico

The spring season is here and for Divine Flavor, the grower-shipper is in full swing with its melon program for the next 50 days. With offerings of watermelon (regular seedless and mini seedless), cantaloupe and honeydew, grown both organic and conventional, the company anticipates a strong May in volume…

Photo Report: Toronto, Canada fresh produce retail visit

Vibrant displays of the freshest fruit and vegetables, sourced from around the world, were seen on the shelves of different retailers in Toronto, Canada last week (25-27 April 2023). During last week’s Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) exhibition in Toronto, a few retailers and greengrocers…

The earliest netted melon in Europe is now available

"For those who do not know, Sicily is the European region where netted melons are harvested first, so it is necessary to pay attention to the origin of produce along the chain, if we want to supply distributors with a product boasting the added value of an Italian origin," explains Vincenzo Di Pasquale…

Stable acreage in France, slight decrease in Morocco and drastic drop for Spain

After the apricots, it is now time for the melon harvest predictions. Like every year, the Interprofessional Melon Association presented the 2023 plantation predictions for Charentais melons at medFEL for Morocco, Spain and France. For the first time in years, the predictions indicate a slight increase…

Producers in Almeria won't uproot their pepper plantations while there are good prices

According to the latest State of the Crops report shared by the Agricultural and Fisheries Information website of the Junta de Andalucía, during the week of April 17 to 23,…

"Murcia's water availability will determine the Spanish stone fruit season's course"

In the Netherlands, 4Fruit Company received the first Spanish Galia melons on Friday. There are plenty of watermelons available, but the yellow and Piel de Sapo melon supply is still limited. Pieter de Ruiter says prices are still at a nice level, though there could be slightly more demand. "Plenty of…

FreshPlaza Global Focus on melons and kiwifruit

In May FreshPlaza will be focussing on kiwifruit and melons, are you a grower, importer or exporter of kiwifruit or melons? We would love to hear from you. You can send us some information or we can call you for an interview, just let us know. You can contact info@freshplaza.com    MarketingWould you like to get…

“The goal is to return to the 15% average export quota we had two years ago and surpass the volume we had in 2021”

As producers in Almeria start harvesting the first watermelons of this season, Anecoop has started the commercial and promotional campaign for one of its star products, the seedless watermelon, a 100% national product that is present in Andalusia, the Region of Murcia, the Valencian Community, and…

Almost 50 hectares of zero residue melons and watermelons

"Weather permitting, the harvesting of melons will start in mid-June and continue until mid-September. Watermelons will instead be harvested between early July and late August," reports Christopher Bernardi, representative from Rimini Bernardi Ortofrutta. "We are attending Macfrut (D4, 29), where the…

This summer promises to be challenging for Ukrainian fruit consumers

Ukraine cannot avoid the influence of external factors on the cost of fruits in the country. This summer promises to be challenging for Ukrainian fruit consumers. As a result of Russia's occupation of parts of southern regions, Ukrainians have lost access to early vegetables, sweet cherries, and…

Amidst industry disruption, uncertainty about Moroccan watermelon volumes this year

Estimates are hesitant about the watermelon volumes this year in Morocco. Several sources indicate a lower volume than last year, due to water stress and the ban on cultivation in some areas. Others indicate a stable or even higher volume, as several producers have relocated their production to…

Foto: Fruchthansa GmbH

"10 to 15 percent decline in melon acreage expected in Spain - focus on fall crops"

Ongoing crises, the consequences of climate change and the focus on autumn crops, are shaping the current melon season, as Lutz Krasemann, Managing Director of Fruchthansa GmbH, tells us. "It is becoming apparent that a decline in acreage for watermelons and sugar melons of around 10 to 15 percent is to…

“We are able to control the varieties we want to plant, to be certain of the volumes"

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,…

"Especially in Germany, we see further potential for growth"

In its first year of business, UFSA Fresh has already made a name for itself in the international fruit industry. As the exclusive marketing partner of the Spanish export company Delifresh, the young fruit agency not only serves major customers in Vienna and the surrounding area, but also throughout…

Overlap in Mexican watermelon supply ahead?

The weather in Mexico looks to be delaying some watermelon production. In Northwest Mexico, the majority of watermelon comes from Sonora. “The first district that gets going is the Guaymas Valley and that area is delayed due to cool weather in March,” says Scott Vandervoet of Vandervoet & Associates,…

Dataliner

Brazil: Melon exports surprise in last month of 2022/23 cycle

Brazilian melon exports usually decrease due to the end of the harvest season, in March. This scenario did occur in the current 2022/23 campaign, but to a lesser extent. The amount shipped in March was just over 20,000 tons, a decrease of 7% compared to February but 38% higher than the same period last…

"Almeria's melon and watermelon production volume will increase and there will be a significant increase in quality"

Almeria's melon and watermelon campaign has already started with the harvest of the earliest varieties. However, at the moment, volumes are still limited. Producers expect a higher production than in the previous season and, at the moment, the fruits' quality is good. “We are already harvesting the first…

Watermelon pouch expands into Canada

In the high-volume category of fresh watermelon, Maglio's award-winning readyripe® watermelon pouch is now available to grocery retailers. Sam Maglio, president and CEO of Maglio Companies launched this gusseted pouch concept for fresh quartered watermelon in 2015. “The development of the patented pouch…

Iranian watermelons transit through Turkey at lower prices than last season

The Iranian watermelon campaign is starting at a good pace, with a large production and a consequent demand, but with the usual payment difficulties. Danial Shahabazi, a trader of Iranian watermelons, said "The quality of watermelons from Baluchistan, in southern Iran, is very good this year. The sizes are…

The French melon market is relatively balanced

“Melons from Central America and South America are still present on the French market but the melons from Senegal and Morocco now have priority,” explains Eric Godard Durand. The two origins have been on the market since mid-February. In two weeks, the melons from Spain will arrive in France. “The…

A solution to improve Melon's port harvest profitability

“Spain produces much more than Piel de Sapo melons. There are large melon exporting companies in Almeria, Campo de Cartagena, and other areas of Murcia that also market Yellow, Galia, Charentais, and Cantaloup melons, among other varieties. The melon's senescence process begins from the moment it is…

'"Great prices for overseas melons"

Even though the warm weather has not yet fully taken hold in Northwestern Europe, the melon market is remarkably good. "In fact, for overseas melons, it's the best year in a very long time. These are running out and in short supply everywhere. The boats arrive to an empty market, and for now, demand…

"Many producers have abandoned the summer campaign due to the lack of rain"

Placido Perez Chuecos, the president of COAG in Lorca, stated that the lack of rain was making producers rethink the summer campaign, which focuses mainly on watermelon and…

Zagora watermelon volumes to decrease by at least 25%

Due to restrictions on watermelon production in the Moroccan region of Zagora, imposed by the local government, watermelon volumes from this region will decline significantly this season. The decision is due to the depletion of the water table and the lack of rainfall in the region. The local government,…

Almeria reduces watermelon cultivation by 2,500 hectares

Asaja Almería has carried out a study that concludes that there has been a reduction of 2,500 hectares in the area of watermelon cultivation. Greenhouse plantations decreased…

"The quality of Hainan fruit is stable, but market demand this year is not as expected"

Because of its unique geographical environment and tropical climate, Hainan, China, produces most of its fruit from the end of October to the end of May, which makes it an important off-season fruit and vegetable producing area. In addition, many fruits widely planted in Southeast Asia have been…

"There are already watermelons from Morocco and Senegal, but we know that importers are waiting for Almeria to start"

As already anticipated by the Government of Andalusia in its analysis of protected vegetable prices and markets of week 12, the growth in the horticultural supply in Central Europe has led to price drops for the vegetables from Almeria, although by the end of week 14 there are very significant…

Lower volumes expected for Greek watermelons

The new watermelon season in Greece is coming up, and Nasos Zafirakis, director of Zafirakis Fruits, hopes it’ll be a less difficult season than the last one: “The previous watermelon season was very complicated. During the entire season the production was very good, both in terms of quality as well as…

Counting down to start of Texas watermelon season

Harvest of watermelons out of the Edinburg, Texas region is expected to start in six weeks. “A mid-May start is about average and so far, we are on track for a good season,”…

"Approaching end of season for Primofiori lemons, good demand for Senegalese watermelons"

A little later than usual, the first watermelons from Senegal were shipped at the end of February. "We have been offering Senegalese watermelons in two varieties for many years. The black striped watermelon is low in seeds and somewhat smaller compared to the seeded Dumara, which weighs up to ten…

There's a limited supply of watermelon and very high prices a few weeks before the start of Almeria's harvest

Summer fruits -such as watermelon- are starting to take center stage as temperatures rise. The market is currently facing low product availability, which, together with high production costs, has triggered sales prices. “Right now we are working with seedless watermelon from Senegal, where the supply is again…