They may be difficult to transport, but traditional watermelons continue to have their important market share, despite changes in consumer purchasing habits.
This trend was confirmed by Giuseppe Petrocelli, sales manager of Ortofrutta Metapontum, who has been receiving dozens of calls for supplies, as a result of a delay in ripening of about 10 days.
Melania variety watermelons in the ripening stage
"The demand for seeded watermelons is sustained by a limited supply as well. The poor amount of sunshine in May/June, heavy rainfall and temperature swings have led to a delay in the start of the season, but more importantly, to a 30% reduction in yields. We usually count 100 customers each year, located all over Italy, but this time we believe we can expand quite a bit. Some customers have been requesting as many as two truckloads per day. Some customers have been requesting as many as two truckloads per day. Of course, most of our supplies are concentrated in the southern regions (such as Calabria, Campania, and Sicily), but we also have been receiving excellent results in the Marche, Piedmont, and Lombardy regions."
Giuseppe Petrocelli
With the current campaign underway, Petrocelli has planted 20 hectares of the Melania variety, a watermelon capable of reaching 20 kilograms and a sugar content of up to 18° Brix. "We will start harvesting the first batches in a week. The shortage of goods is generating an increase in quotations, but the prerequisite to a successful season will depend, above all, on the weather conditions. If it is warm, we will have no problem in placing the product until the first week of September."
For more information:
Ortofrutta Metapontum srl
Via Verdi, 36
75012 - Bernalda (MT)
+39 3391144564