The Quercy melon is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The production has suffered from excessive rainfall at the start of the campaign. Anne-Marie Aguilar, coordinator of the Interprofessional Quercy Melon Union, provides an update.
Late start and lower yields
This year, the Quercy melon campaign started in the first week of July, with a delay of almost one month. According to the coordinator, this "difficult start" was due to heavy rainfall. "Excessive water caused a delay in flowering and setting which, together with the cool temperatures at night, has delayed fruit ripening." As a result, yields were lower at the start of the season. "We are counting on the rest of the season to bounce back, but there is already some loss. For the Quercy melon, the "peak of the season runs from July 15th to September 15th," but the union remains optimistic. "We are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The campaign got off to a rocky start, but seems to be improving." And while volumes are down, prices are "holding up", according to Anne-Marie Aguilar.
Between 10,000 and 12,000 tons of melons, a good proportion of which are PGI-labeled, are produced on average each year, in the Lot, Tarn-et-Garonne and Lot-et-Garonne departments. This year, the number of producers is slightly down: 80, compared with 90 on average. The same is true of surface areas: 460 ha this year, compared with 500 ha. These figures need to be put into perspective, however, as they vary from year to year, according to Anne Marie Aguilar. "These decreases are due to the ending of activity and producers turning to other crops."
Quercy melon PGI celebrates 20 years
Twenty years ago, on June 24th, 2004, the Interprofessionnel Quercy Melon Union obtained a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) for its melon. This year's anniversary will be celebrated on September 19th, originally scheduled for June 24th but postponed due to the French legislative elections. The program for the day includes a presentation of the melon and the sector to the press and media, as well as tastings to showcase the expertise of producers who work "with respect for tradition, the land and the environment, to produce an exceptional melon that plays an essential role in the local economy. The Quercy melons with the PGI label come from a variety of origins. Labeled melons come from varieties carefully selected for their taste qualities. Harvested at optimum ripeness, the melons are sent directly to the union's packing stations, where they are sorted, packed and dispatched the same day. They are then sold throughout France and Northern Europe, at markets, supermarkets and specialized retailers.
Throughout the season, we carry out communication campaigns aimed at consumers. The stickers on our melons bear the compulsory PGI label, and goodies such as tote bags are also distributed at direct sales outlets.
For more information:
Syndicat Interprofessionnel du Melon du Quercy
82 Montpezat de Quercy
Phone: 09 64 18 64 65
[email protected]
www.melon-du-quercy.fr