For two weeks, the Region of Murcia is at the world's epicenter of agronomic and genetic innovation in melons and watermelons; the summer fruits par excellence.
The Association of Producers and Exporters of Fruit and Vegetables of the Region of Murcia (Proexport) highlighted the value of the 'Melon & Watermelon Innovation Days' and invited farmers and agricultural companies to participate. The main Spanish and international seed houses with experimentation centers and farms in Murcia will open their doors these days to professionals in the agricultural sector to show them their latest developments in melon and watermelon varieties. Seminis, Enza Zaden, Nunhems, Rijk Zwaan, Semillas Fitó, and Syngenta, among other companies, will participate in the event.
According to Fernando Gómez, CEO of Proexport, "The success of any crop starts with an adequate selection of seeds because genetics are crucial to obtaining healthy plants and quality fruits. To provide an optimal product to consumers, farmers and agricultural companies look for varietal developments that bring new flavors, colors, shapes, textures, resistance to pests, optimization of inputs, or adaptation to climate change. Seed houses work closely with our producers. Obtaining new varieties that reach the market takes up to ten years."
"It's an arduous endeavor that requires a significant investment in R+D+i and close collaboration between seed houses and producers at origin, something that we manage to do successfully in the Region of Murcia," he added.
This year, the seed houses will present piel de sapo melons with resistance to the New Delhi virus, watermelon varieties destined for export with a more intense flavor and red, and melons with complete packages of resistance to the main pests and viruses that affect them, among other innovations.
The Region of Murcia is the country's leading melon exporter, accounting for 49% of total exports, and the second-biggest exporter of watermelon after Andalusia, with 18.4% of the total. In 2023, Murcia exported 158,614 tons of melon worth 148 million euros. The region exported 125,114 tons of watermelon worth 93 million euros.
In 2023 the Region of Murcia devoted 4,501 hectares to melon (25.5% of the national total) and 2,775 hectares to watermelon production (22.8% of the national total). The region produced 147,400 tons of watermelon (12.78%) and 147,800 tons of melon (28.7%), ranking third in both products only behind Andalusia and Castilla la Mancha.
Open Door Calendar
The seed houses have organized open-door events from the last week of June to July 4 to showcase their novelties. These are the main melon and watermelon events in the Region of Murcia:
For more information:
Proexport
Ronda Levante, 1 Entlo.
30008 Murcia (España)
T: +34 968 27 17 79
[email protected]
www.proexport.es