According to Frank Ocampo of TripleF Fruit, the melon season has been successful so far, although there have been challenges with certain varieties. "From the start until now, Cantaloupe Harper (American type) and Italian Cantaloupe (Charentais type) have performed exceptionally well. This success is largely due to a very select group of growers cultivating these varieties, resulting in controlled production of high quality."
"In addition, challenging weather conditions and issues with seed supply—particularly for the Charentais—led to limited availability. This prompted many customers to switch to the Harper variety, which consequently saw a sharp increase in demand while becoming scarcer," the importer explains.
"With Brazil past its peak, shortages are expected to increase in the coming months. Growers trying to continue during the rainy season often encounter major challenges, leading most to quit after week 4. Honduras traditionally entered the market in early January with only melons, but Storm Sara also disrupted production planning and part of the crop there. Costa Rica will make a modest contribution, except yellow melons, Piel de Sapo, and watermelons, which are traditionally grown in larger quantities," Frank said.
"Panama will also arrive later, primarily with watermelons and some yellow melons, just in time for spring. If weather conditions cooperate in northern Europe and Spain/Almeria starts slightly later, this could work well. Brazil, however, should not be underestimated; it continues to progress every year. Only a few growers can manage all or some varieties effectively and produce good quality melons and watermelons, even during the rainy periods."
Price dynamics and market challenges
"Galia melons, as is traditionally the case in November, experienced a severe dip, leading to dump prices. This pattern has been consistent over the years: a strong start with high prices in the early months, followed by a sharp price drop in November. Fortunately, we're now seeing signs of recovery, driven by decreasing supply and the approach of Christmas sales, which will give the market a much-needed boost."
"The price of yellow melons has been below cost for the past two months, partly due to large-scale production in Brazil. The ease of cultivation led to oversupply, putting heavy pressure on the market. Growers, both small and large, often gamble on these varieties, selling them domestically or for export. However, the tide seems to be turning now due to better demand, reduced supply, and the holiday season," the importer explains.
"Piel de Sapo and Dino melons remain niche varieties, at least in northern Europe, and their performance is closely tied to that of yellow melons. This year, Piel de Sapo had a difficult start, with an abundance of smaller sizes (5/6/7/8) in 10kg packs from Brazil. However, demand is stabilizing, and supply is now more balanced, leading to better pricing."
"In watermelons—excluding mini varieties—the market remains under pressure. Despite a relatively empty market and a strong start, delays in shipping have prevented prices from reaching the desired level. Demand is expected to rise slightly toward Christmas, but not as significantly as for other melon varieties. Increased volumes entering the market could put pressure on spot prices with all the usual consequences. The forecast for mini seedless (sizes 8/9/10) and midi (sizes 6/7) varieties looks promising in the coming weeks, as retail sales often triple around Christmas."
Franky's Choice
"At TripleF, we focus on offering a year-round selection of melons and watermelons alongside our fixed range of hard, soft, and stone fruits, with a strong emphasis on retail, trade, export, and service. Our strength lies in specialization and extensive product knowledge of several fruit varieties, including melons. Together with seed houses and growers, we've continued developing innovative varieties this year that add value for both growers and consumers."
"Franky's Choice represents premium quality. For example, a Galia melon should be yellow with perfect netting, a taste reminiscent of summer, and a guaranteed Brix level above 13. This premium quality is proudly marketed under the Franky's Choice brand, which now covers the four main melon varieties: Galia, Cantaloupe, yellow melons, and watermelons. So far, we've successfully positioned the brand and its melon varieties in the market. With the support of our partners, Franky's Choice has become a trusted name in the melon world, available on European retail shelves and in various re-export markets. Together, we continue building the future of this special brand, which stands for taste, expertise, reliability, and innovation!"
For more information:
TripleF Fruit-Franky's Choice
Tel: +31 88 185 10 00
[email protected]
www.tripleffruit.com