The melon market in the UK is buoyant as Spanish supplies get into full swing.
One importer told FPJ: “What is happening is that a lot of the fruit is going elsewhere. Russia, the Baltic States and the Balkans are all taking more from Spain now, and that is keeping the market strong.
“It is a trend that started a couple of years ago, but we have really seen it this year on lemons and oranges, and now on melons. It is having an effect across the whole of Europe.”
Another factor that is bringing its weight to bear is the volume headed for the processing and fresh prepared sectors, as demand for fresh-cut fruit and fruit salads increases. “Volumes have really spiralled now, and you probably have 70-80 trucks a week going into the processors - that’s a lot of melons, and it has really helped grow the market,” said the source.
Meanwhile, one of the wettest Mays on record is helping the crop in Almería, and serving to replenish water in Murcia, a key production area for the summer peak.
And further west in the Granada area of Andalucia in southern Spain, growers’ leaders are calling on producers of both melons and watermelons to ensure their fruit has the right quality standards before being marketed.
According to growers’ association COAG, Granada growers have seen their production costs spiral, but competition from third-country fruit, as well as the marketing of immature and disease-prone melons, are damaging the season.
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