Spain: Uncertainty marks the imminent start of the Almeria watermelon and melon campaign

Fresh Watermelon

Published Mar 24, 2024

Tridge summary

Despite a predicted decrease in the area allocated to watermelon and melon crops in Almería province, the upcoming campaign is expected to be optimistic. The decrease is due to good prices of other vegetables and fear of viruses in the west of Almería. However, climatological changes have led to an increase in late watermelon crops. While production is expected to be good, high production costs and the appearance of Virosis create uncertainty around prices. The area for melon production is expected to remain stable, with a focus on classic varieties.

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Original content

With barely a month to go before the watermelon and melon campaign begins in the province of Almería, the forecasts remain quite optimistic with respect to the first sensations at the beginning of the year, when the planting of these spring crops began. At the beginning of the year, ASAJA-Almería carried out a first assessment, through which it predicted a decrease of approximately 10% in the area allocated to this crop compared to the previous year. The area with the highest production in the province is the Níjar field, where according to Jacobo, a farmer from Nijar, the same hectares have been allocated for cultivation as last year. “In my case I have usually planted the same thing for years, because a Once I remove the zucchini I plant the watermelon in the same field. In this area we always tend to have the same dynamic, and watermelon is one of the strong bets of farmers in this part,” he explains. This decrease is recorded, mainly, in the west of ...

Source: Diariodealmeria