W35: Melon Update

In W35 in the melon landscape, despite favorable conditions such as good quality and increased consumer demand due to heat, melon and watermelon prices are on a downward trend in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. The president of the Castilla-La Mancha Melon and Watermelon Interprofessional attributes this price drop to speculations and calls on the distribution sector to negotiate fair prices for all parties involved. If this trend continues, the president suggests taking the matter to the Information Agency and Food Control (AICA) for potential non-compliance with the Food Chain Law. During this campaign, farmers in Castilla-La Mancha cultivated 5.50 thousand hectares (ha) of melons and approximately 3.30 thousand ha of watermelons, with over 80% of production in the province of Ciudad Real.

Furthermore, melon prices in the Castilla-La Mancha agricultural and fruit and vegetable market have remained stable in W35. The average prices of extra-category melons stood between USD 0.36 to 0.40 per kilogram (EUR 0.34 to 0.37/kg). First-category melon is priced at USD 0.32 to 0.35/kg (EUR 0.30 to 0.33/kg).

Lastly, Uzbekistan is making inroads into the European melon market, particularly in Germany. In 2023, the quality of the Uzbekistan melons is excellent, and prices range from USD 1.18 to 1.28/kg (EUR 1.10 to 1.20/kg). Higher transport costs contribute to the price increase, with an additional charge of USD 0.53/kg (EUR 0.50/kg). Demand has increased, and the melon season, which started in W33, is expected to continue for another month and a half.