The Moroccan Dumara watermelon season is in full swing at Ibrahim Nieuwegein, a fruit and vegetable/meat wholesaler in the Netherlands. "We carry these under our own brand Lamyae. They're bright red and have excellent brix levels. Customers genuinely keep returning for this brand," Mohammed Arab says enthusiastically.
The watermelons are selected, by hand, in Morocco. "Our supplier sells the small ones on the local market; we get the big ones. Though there are shortages in the melon market, our connections in Morocco mean we have enough."
"The Dumara watermelons come from the Marrakech region, and in August, we switch to the Berkane region. We can supply our clients with these watermelons until late August," says the trader, who mostly supplies retailers, wholesalers, and market vendors in Germany and the Benelux.
"Especially with the high temperatures, melon demand immediately increases. We're currently selling watermelons for between €0.85 and €0.90/kg, a good price for the time of year. Buyers are well satisfied and keep coming back. We also carry yellow melons from Morocco. There are shortages in that market, too, but we're getting fresh supply until the second week of September. Those melons are currently going for €1.10 to €1.15."
Besides melon sales, the Arab brothers' meat center is flourishing too. "Lamb, chicken, actually all meat products sales are showing an upward trend. We have everything under one roof. Almost all our buyers come to us for the whole package; they leave with chicken as easily as cucumbers," Ibrahim concludes.
For more information:
Ibrahim Nieuwegein
47 Laagraven
3439 LK, Nieuwegein, NL
Tel: +31 (0) 302 800 516
Email: [email protected]
website: www.ibrahimgroothandel.nl