Growers of melons in Almería are concerned they are losing their window on the European marketplace, and some are increasingly looking to watermelons instead.
The early window Almería has on the season in April is coming under increasing pressure from supplies from Morocco and late-season product from Central America before produce from Murcia comes on stream later in May. Fransisco Sola, technical director of supplier Nature Choice, said: “The fact that you have melons in April is no longer enough to guarantee you a good price.”
At Almería co-op Coprohnijar, production of melons has been superseded by watermelons. “We used to grow a lot more melon, but not anymore,” said technical director Emilio Pérez. “Now we focus more on watermelon.”
Pérez forecasts a good crop of watermelon this season, which is due to start next week. “Temperatures have been good, but we have had problems with the wind in the east, which has made pollination difficult,” he said. “And since last week temperatures have dropped, which has slowed the plants down.”
Volumes of the fruit from the south-eastern Spanish region are likely to be up on last season, forecasts Pérez, as growers were encouraged by strong pricing for watermelons last season and have planted more.
Meanwhile, Andrés Góngora of producers association Coag said that growers in Almería must differentiate their melons and watermelons from the competition based on quality.
“If we can sway opinion, and create a feeling in the marketplace that product from Almería arrives in the best condition and has been picked at the optimum point of maturity, then consumers will opt for our fruit,” said Góngora.
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