Gregal Hillfresh melons

Murcia, Spain-based Gregal has planted its first greenhouse melons of the season, specifically the Galia and Cantaloupe varieties, with harvesting estimated on 22 May, according to Dutch importer Hillfresh.

Volumes are expected to be limited during the two-week season, following which the producer's open-field melons get started.

Almost daily since mid-March, Gregal has being planting open-field Galia, Cantaloupe and yellow melons, as well as watermelons, the company revealed.

'Due to the risk of frost during the night, a cloth that will be removed in mid-April safely covers the melons,' Hillfresh stated in a press release. 'Although the weather is lovely in Murcia right now, we can definitely notice that it’s slightly colder than the last few years.'

Despite the recent cold and March's heavy rainfall, weather conditions have improved drastically, and forecasts for Murcia's melon season remain positive.