Spanish melon producers could face losing some of their export market share over the coming seasons as a result of a substantial decline in the growing surface in the key production region of Almeria, with some in the sector predicting that other producing countries could profit.
According to Daniel Kretzschmar, european produce chain manager for vegetable seed company Nunhems, the “major event” likely to affect the Spanish melon sector over the next 12-24 months would be a “strong decrease” in production area in Almeria.
Mr Kretzschmar told Fruitnet that this was expected to provoke a “real shortage” of melons in May, particularly in Galias, which could well lead to greater imports from other production countries to cover the shortfall.
“This gap will need to be covered by other origins over the coming seasons and this will be an opportunity for other regions like Senegal, Morocco and Italy,” he said.
Despite this, a spokesman for Spanish fresh produce market leader Anecoop said production volumes for 2011 were likely to remain at a similar level as the previous season, albeit with a slight increase in Murcia and Valencia during the summer months.
A full version of this article will be published in the May 2011 edition of Eurofruit Magazine.
