The melon and watermelon production in the Spanish region of Almeria has totalled over 480,000 tons but its value has dropped due to increased competition from Greece, Italy, Turkey and other Spanish regions.
Watermelon production this season was around 350,000 tonnes, meaning a significant increase over 2011 by 16.9 percent, while melon production has exceeded 135,000 tonnes, for an increase by 4.5 percent.
However this increased production, coupled with weak demand in Europe and increased competition from Greece, Italy, Turkey and other Spanish regions such as Murcia and Sevilla, has pushed prices down. It is expected that the value of the watermelon campaign this year will reach 94 million euros, 4.5 percent higher than last year.
For melon, the farmer’s value has been 59 million euros, up to 22 percent. However, the average price at the end of the campaign was probably lower due to lower crop varieties getting high prices in export markets.
Considering quality, melons and watermelons marketed this campaign in the province of Almeria has passed smoothly all controls on maturity carried out by the quality inspectors of the Ministry of Agriculture,
Source: Green Med Journal