Tympaki and Messara, on the southern coast of Crete, are the two earliest melon-growing regions of Greece, which normally see the first departures of this fruit when April arrives. However, this year, things have changed: "The weather conditions were a bit colder than usual and unfavorable, leading to the harvesting of greenhouse conventional melons, which constitute about 70% of the total Cretan production, beginning no sooner than mid-April. Fortunately, we will be on time for Easter. This is the first calendar aim of all growers," says Mr. Nikos Yasakis, agronomist at the local agricultural company Biologiki Anaptiksiaki Messaras (Bianame).
Despite the late start, it seems that the early plantations will yield a good volume of large fruits. Mr. Yasakis describes: "So far, we haven't faced any problems, and it seems that early plantations will yield about 50 to 60 tons of 1.5 kg melons per hectare. In our region, only Galia melons are cultivated. Preferred varieties are Niovi, Zepo, and Lavigal. This season, we see that melon plantations have gained about 20% more ground compared to the previous one. This is partly due to the many problems that Cretan growers suffer from because of ToBRFV."
© Bianame
The Greek agronomist also adds: "It seems that the early varieties will not face any cultivation problems, but we may see irrigation problems for the late plantations, which are to take place in late April."
As the name of the Greek company suggests (Biologiki), BIANAME focuses strictly on organic melons, which are the only type of Cretan melons with an export profile. "Conventional melons stay in the Greek market. On the contrary, our company focuses on organic products and exports its produce to Germany. We expect our open-field, organically cultivated melons to be on the market in late April or early May, keeping our acreage at last season's levels," stresses Mr. Yasakis.
© Bianame
Apart from melons, Bianame is very active in vegetable cultivation. "At this moment, we are uprooting our long-type cucumber cultivations, which are to be replaced by melons. What won't be removed are Florinis peppers (red long-type peppers). We cultivate Florinis peppers all year round. They are very profitable and always highly sought-after products in European markets. These days, due to a certain yield limitation, the grower price stands at 2,5 euros/kg," the Greek agronomist concludes.
For more information:
Nikos Yasakis
Βianame
Tel: +30 2892 052338
Email: info@bianame.gr
https://www.bianame.gr/