Summer fruits -such as watermelon- are starting to take center stage as temperatures rise. The market is currently facing low product availability, which, together with high production costs, has triggered sales prices.
“Right now we are working with seedless watermelon from Senegal, where the supply is again limited this year,” stated Jordi Valle, the commercial director of Melón de Autor, part of the Grupo Autor. “In general, there is very little watermelon in the markets, a constant demand for the product, and high production costs. As a result, prices have soared, which has affected consumption.”
The company produces, packages, and markets watermelon practically all year round with its farms spread throughout Spain, mainly, and in Brazil and Senegal, which allows it to have a supply in the counter-season months.
“Last season we were able to have production throughout the whole year, with the exception of one week, and we achieved the milestone of selling watermelon all year round. We are very close to being able to achieve a guaranteed supply of high-quality watermelon throughout the year with a vertical structure integrated into production and marketing,” stated Jordi Valle.
Grupo Autor labels its product with the Sandía Foodie brand. It offers two variants, Sandia Foodie Black, which is the sweetest watermelon, and Sandia Foodie White, the crunchiest watermelon. “We are thus expanding our offer and meeting the needs of an increasingly demanding market,” he stated.
This year, the Spanish watermelon campaign will start in Almeria in a few weeks, which, according to Jordi, is earlier than normal. “We'll be able to begin the campaign in Almeria with an adequate offer starting the third week of April. Last year, the weather had a strong negative effect on the fruit's quality and volume. In contrast, this year looks good and we hope to have a normal season.”
For more information:
Jordi Valle
Melón de Autor
Calle Paseo del Progreso, 34
Olesa de Monserrat - Barcelona
M: +34 643 138 870
[email protected]
www.melondeautor.es