Melon and watermelon growers in the Rostov region of Russia have announced a 10-15% increase in their product prices compared to last year. The drought has affected the size and yield of the crops, resulting in smaller melons and watermelons this season.
Growers have reported that the cost of cultivation in 2024 has doubled. Sergey Lukyanov, a farmer, shared details about his increased expenses.
"Firstly, the cost of watermelon and melon seeds has risen by nearly 15%, and fuel expenses have also increased. Most significantly, I am paying my workers double the wages compared to 2023 due to a severe labour shortage. Growing melons and watermelons are becoming unprofitable. We can't operate at a loss, so we will raise our prices by 10-15% compared to last year," explained Lukyanov.
In 2023, local growers began selling the first watermelons at the end of July for 0.4 euros per kilogram in retail, and by August, wholesale prices were 0.13 euros per kilogram.
Currently, watermelons on the shelves in the Rostov region are imported from Iran, Azerbaijan, and Turkey, priced between 1-1.6 euros per kilogram. Wholesale prices are 0.8 euros per kilogram for orders over 100 tons. Lukyanov noted that watermelons from Dagestan and Krasnodar are not yet available in stores due to hail damage in those regions.
He also mentioned that the harvest forecast for melons and watermelons in the Rostov region is not promising: due to spring frosts and the June drought, there will be fewer watermelons this year, and they will be smaller.
Source: donnews.ru