In general, a good melon season is expected this year in Murcia. "For now, the season is developing better than last year, when rains and hail had a significant impact on melon crops, which is why we believe that we will have a better production than last year. The weather conditions remain stable, especially in the Region of Murcia, where we only had some rain at the beginning which caused a slight delay in the start of the season," says José Luis Samper, Manager of El Secreto de mi Tierra.
"We are planning to finish in mid-September with the crops we have in Castile-La Mancha and the Region of Murcia, where we have more than 150 hectares. This year we expect to produce around 12 million kilos, approximately 20% more than in 2023. Of the 10 million kilos of melons we sold last year, between 10 to 15% of the total production belonged to El Secreto de mi Tierra."
"Piel de Sapo melons are characterized by their sweet taste and texture, which makes them stand out from other varieties. At El Secreto de mi Tierra, we strive to maintain a high quality standard to ensure that each melon offers a great eating experience. The juiciness and freshness of this variety are highly appreciated by consumers, especially in the warmer months."
"In terms of consumption, Piel de Sapo melon is very popular in the domestic market due to its unique and nutritious characteristics, such as its juiciness, low calorie content and richness in vitamins and minerals, which make it a healthy and refreshing option that can be consumed daily. We have seen an increase in the demand for smaller sizes in Europe, which represents a shift in preferences towards more manageable and convenient options."
"Our approach not only improves melon quality, but also contributes to the long-term sustainability of our soil"
The history of El Secreto de mi Tierra goes back more than forty years, when the Samper family started growing melons, which were then marketed through cooperatives. "My father grew and sold at warehouses and cooperatives at first, more as a hobby than as a job in itself, until he realized that he could sell the product directly. Today, our headquarters and part of the farms are located on the land where he planted his first crops.
"In 1991, my father decided to go one step further and founded the company Explotaciones Agrícolas Samper. Much later, in 2016, El Secreto de mi Tierra was born. We wanted a brand that reflected the effort and dedication we put into each stage of cultivation, following the tradition started by my father."
"Our Piel de Sapo melon stands out for its exceptional quality, which is the result of our production process. We make sure that the crop is handled with the utmost care and dedication, with each melon treated as a unique product. Here, innovation and the contributions from new generations are important. In our company, these are crucial to maintain and improve the quality of the product. At El Secreto de mi Tierra, we are not satisfied with just any melon; we seek superior quality, with a texture and flavour that must meet the highest standards. Our philosophy is based on the values of family unity and teamwork, with each member contributing their expertise at every stage of the process to ensure that our Piel de Sapo melon is a true gourmet product."
"The company is also committed to sustainability and complies with all environmental regulations. We have certifications such as GlobalG.A.P. that confirm our sustainable practices. We use techniques such as crop rotation to preserve the health of the land and ensure that it continues to produce high quality melons. For example, in our melon plantations, we implement a four-year planting cycle. After that time, the land is given some time to recover and oxygenate before the next planting. This approach not only improves melon quality, but also contributes to the long-term sustainability of our soil."
"Our melons are available in a variety of retail outlets, including supermarkets and hypermarkets; however, El Secreto de mi Tierra has a greater presence in small supermarket chains, stores and specialized greengrocers."
For more information:
El Secreto de mi Tierra
Finca Lo Mazón, s/n C.P. 30590 La Tercia
Murcia, Spain
Tel.: +34 968 37 03 09
https://elsecretodemitierra.com