Supplies of melons from Mexico and Central America continue to be slim. “There’s a bit more available than what had been out there on the market but it’s still a tight market. It’s across the board on all varieties and it’s been like this this whole winter season, starting in January,” says Lance Peterson of Super Starr International, noting it carries honeydew, cantaloupe and yellow canary melons.
Central America’s production begins generally in November and runs through March. It then moves to Mexico from mid-December through April after which production shifts again to Arizona, California and some on the U.S. East coast.
Softer demand so far
Meanwhile demand for melons is lighter than normal. “Especially with the amount of fruit available,” says Peterson. Part of that could be the increasing availability of melons. “There are many more varieties available and I think that spreads out demand a bit. Honeydew and cantaloupes are the traditional melons but there are also yellow canaries and we’re starting to see Hami melons,” he says. He notes that on the yellow canary melons particularly, the West Coast has a higher adoption rate to date than the East Coast for this variety.
As for pricing, it has come off a bit given there is more supply. “Pricing may come off a little bit more but getting into warmer weather, usually demand picks up a little bit so it may counterbalance each other. Markets will stay there as long as possible but we’ll see,” Peterson says, noting pricing is stronger than this time last year.
For more information:
Lance Peterson
Super Starr International
Tel: +1 (956) 510-8126
[email protected]
www.superstarrinternational.com