While northern Mexico’s production of honeydew melons will be wrapping up within the first week of December, Brian Vandervoet of Vandervoet & Associates said the two growers the company represents had “a good program overall.” His most successful grower comes in at a different time compared to the other grower source, leading to a more successful program. Honeydew melons are placed on small plastic plates, eliminating their exposure to the soil and creation of ground scars. “The percentage of number one quality pack out increases dramatically, and his percentage of number two quality is minimal, explains Vandervoet. “The extra cost in field labor is more than compensated by better and higher priced sales. He also has an earth-worm 'farm' for the introduction of better fertilizers for all of his crops.” In terms of overall supplies, they’re good and ample, according to Vandervoet.
His company is in discussions to represent some growers in southern Mexico in order to have a winter honeydew program, which would run from February to April, but in smaller volume compared to what they receive from the northern farms.
Guatemala supplies arriving into the US
The fall season saw positive pricing. “Prices for October were very good and in a very profitable range,” he says. “They began to decline first week of November and it’s been a little tougher slug the past three weeks.” An increase in production out of Mexico last month had other growing districts enter production. “Consequently with the increase in supplies prices were lower to move the increase in volume.” Over the next two weeks he says prices should stay stable in the $5, $6, $7 range, though now honeydews are entering the US from Guatemala. “I believe the boat that came into Pompano last weekend had over 100 containers on it so that’s put downward pressure for our eastern business.”
Not including the weather, Vandervoet reflects on the emphasis of three main factors for a successful commodity: quality, production per acre and market conditions. “Growers can control two out of three: they can control the quality and the production per acre,” he says. “They can’t control the market so as we continue to learn and reinforce to the growers is they need to do everything possible to produce the very best quality and max production per acre.”
For more information:
Brian Vandervoet
Vandervoet & Associates
Ph: 520-281-0454