Melon importers are looking forward to the start of the melon season in Spain next month, as Brazil and Costa Rica near the end of a difficult campaign.

One importer told freshinfo: “The season has been difficult, but not because the product isn’t good - the whole dollar situation has really pushed the price of the product up and this year has not really been one when you would want to be relying on the wholesale markets.”

Product quality out of both Central and South America over the autumn and winter has been good. This has been a saving grace for melons, as volumes have been diverted to the fresh prepared market.

There is expected to be a smooth transition between Spanish and Brazilian product.