Cantaloupe production in Canada can encounter size snag

Saskatchewan-grown cantaloupe is in demand for its sweetness but it doesn’t always meet size requirements for stores. “In order to sell into retail, we do need to meet some specifications,” said provincial vegetable specialist Connie Achtymichuk. There are specific sizes in the North American market, she said, but retailers can alter those if they know in advance. Saskatchewan producers might be able to establish a program that suits the size profile of their fruit. Last year, a research project at the irrigation centre in Outlook set out to examine size profiles and shelf-life of different varieties. Achtymichuk said four-week-old seedlings from eight varieties were transplanted into plastic on fields June 1. While the main question was size distribution, researchers also wanted to know which varieties tasted best, which ripened earliest and what yields could be expected. Previous research involved growing cantaloupe in a protected environment such as high tunnels. “While there’s ...