"Netted melon campaign kicks off one week early"

Cooperativa Agricola San Tommaso from Licata, in the province of Agrigento, is starting with its "netted melons". This year, the mild winter with no cold spells or frost has meant that the fruit started to develop much earlier than in the past.

"Last weekend, we started with the green-skinned netted melons. This week (week 13 of 2025, ed.), we will start with the usual yellow-skinned Proteus and then continue in mid-April with an early start of long-life melons, a variety of the Mundial family," reports Vincenzo Marrali, quality control manager of the cooperative.

"Initial volumes will be limited, with a few Euro pallets that were sent on Saturday, 22 March, destined to the markets for a preliminary test. We have already started to supply some big retail chains. This year, due to climate change and the shift to tropical weather, we are anticipating harvesting operations already to the end of March, about a week earlier than usual. We used to start in early April."

"For the next campaign, distribution will be staggered in April and May. The mild and stable climate, without extreme heat or cold, favoured optimal plant growth. This allows a smoother handling of the harvest and sales. In addition to the Italian market, we are also targeting the foreign market, as we already export 10-15% of our production. In the past, melons were mainly sent to northern Italy to be exported, but now we are also managing direct exports from Sicily."

This year, Easter is much later than in previous years. "This is an incentive for sales, as it coincides with the peak of our campaign, scheduled between 13 and 18 April. We hope that this favourable timing will bring good results," Marrali concludes.

For more information:
Cooperativa Agricola San Tommaso
Cda Tenutella
S.S. 626 Carrubba exit
92027 Licata (AG) - Italy
Tel: +39 0934 1958001
Fax: +39 0934 1958003
info@coopagricolasantommaso.it
www.coopsantommaso.it