Caribbean melon website launched

fruitnet.com 13 February 2009

A site dedicated to Rijk Zwaan's orange-fleshed cantaloupe melon has gone live this week

Plant breeding company Rijk Zwaan has announced the launch of a new website, www.caribbeanmelon.com, to help promote its orange-fleshed Caribbean melon brand.

The website outlines the characteristics of the fruit and the accompanying marketing concept, with descriptions of the various Caribbean varieties, an availability chart and contact information for different growing regions.

"Through intensive collaboration with growers, importers, processors and retailers a worldwide Caribbean network has been created, resulting in the joint development of a strong marketing concept," said Vincent van Wolferen, chain manager at Rijk Zwaan. "the website will be playing a significant part in this and will ensure that we are properly represented online as well."

The website will be kept fresh with a regular stream of news bulletins and announcements of forthcoming events.

US Melon news 18 FEB 2009

Cantaloupes: Demand has fallen off
considerably and there are ample supplies on
both the East and West Coasts. Larger sized
melons (9’s & 12’s)* dominate the volume
being shipped into domestic ports and that will
continue into next week. Florida and California
alike are receiving very good numbers on
Cantaloupes and shippers are looking to move
fruit. Quality has been very good on
Cantaloupes with excellent taste and high
sugar levels.

Honeydews: Honeydew supplies will remain
very good this week and with the light demand
there will continue to be good numbers
available in most all sizes and on both coasts.
Volume concentrations will be in the smaller
sized melons (6 & 8ct)* and that is where most
of the deals will be available. Quality has been
decent and sugar levels are slightly higher
giving way to better taste.

ietnam successfully grows Japanese melon

The Cuu Long Delta Rice Research Institute harvested 32 Fujiura melons from 16 vines, the largest fruit weighed 10 kilograms.

The institute sowed 20 vines but three died. After cropping, melons would be primarily processed by using machines to whittle the covers and pulp the fibers. The fibers would then be exposed to the sun on two occasions.

In future, if the Institute can improve the melons, they will provide seeds for farmers to grow and export to Japan.

Duong Dinh, responsible for plant structure at the Institute, said that they named this melon Fujiura after the Japanese company that provided the Institute with the seed. Fujiura also instructed them how to sow and take care of the plant.

This melon creeps over the ground and is like a long gourd but the shape is round. It is grown in Japan, where they process the fruit into many foods.


Source: english.vietnamnet.vn

Publication date: 2/16/2009

US: Honeydew importers hope to rebound from 2008

The Packer
By Jose Escobedo

(Feb. 11, 3:11 p.m.) NOGALES, Ariz. — Honeydew grower-shippers expect volumes to start coming in by the middle of February, despite fewer plantings this season in Mexico.

“By mid-February there should be the beginning of an increase in volume, due to expected larger sizes and warmer growing conditions,” said Robert Shipley, president of Shipley Sales Service, a company that has been importing honeydews since the early 1960s.

Last year the honeydew market was saturated, and as a consequence prices were down.

“The fall was very bad, and we had low prices,” said Brian Vandervoet, owner of Vandervoet & Associates. “We can only be optimistic and hope for better prices for spring 2009.”

Because of an exceptionally good 2007 season, many growers decided to increase their acreage. As a consequence, prices went down in 2008.

On Feb. 9, the U.S. Department of Agriculture priced honeydew imports from Costa Rica and Honduras for 2/3 cartons of size 5s at $10-12, size 6s at $10-12 and size 8s at $10-12.

On Feb. 2 last year, the USDA reported Caribbean honeydew imports for 2/3 cartons of size 5-6s for $8-8.85.

“The fall 2008 season took a slump after a terrific previous season,” said Miguel A. Suarez, president of MAS Melons & Grapes.

In the wake of a great 2007, many growers opted to boost their acreage, hoping to get bigger returns.

“More new people came in and began growing and as a result, the acreage increased,” Suarez said. “This led to an oversupply in the market, and prices went down and importers didn’t make a profit.”

For 2009, importers said growers in Mexico have opted to plant fewer honeydews.

“I think that the acreage will be lower this season, because fall 2008 was horrible,” Suarez said. “That was the worst season I have seen in 20 years.”

Despite the added acreage for many growers in Mexico, MAS Melons & Grapes has shown in the past that it has no real intentions for adding or decreasing acreage in the long run.

“Our acreage has been pretty constant with a 10% difference (up or down) in the last five years,” Suarez said. “We hardly ever change (beyond that).”

The company has a total of 740 acres of honeydew production in Mexico, and expects to ship 600,000 boxes of honeydews from the state of Colima from December to May.

On Jan. 30, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported a total of 161.8 million pounds of honeydews crossing through Nogales in 2008, compared with 156 million pounds in 2007.

Another factor that could help boost the Mexican honeydew deal and profit margins is the low volumes coming in from off shore.

“The market is established by the competition from Central America, so when Central America comes pouring in, our prices have to go down,” Shipley said. “Right now they are not coming in, so our prices are up.”

So far, Central American melons are not arriving in significant quantities, Shipley said Jan. 31.

“They are staring to dribble in, but not in their full volume. We are seeing less from Central America,” he said.

Today, melon growers in Mexico are experiencing the side effects of an economic recession in U.S. markets. Many will choose to plant less, and importers hope the 2009 season can only get better.

“I believe there will be less volume than last year,” Vandervoet said. “The prices in the fall were very low with the honeydews and consequently growers will likely not plant much in the spring.”

Other importers are optimistic that the spring deal will bring higher returns, especially in March.

“I think this season is going to be good,” said Shelly Harrison-Valdivia, vice president of Al Harrison Co. Distributors Inc. “Until the middle of February there is going to be very light volume, but we will go back to normal acreage in March.”

Harrison said that the weather south of the border has been very cooperative, especially in northern Mexico, where the spring crop is being planted.

“Weather in Mexico has been gorgeous, not only for central Mexico but also in northern Mexico,” Harrison said. “The spring deal will be planted in early February, and if the weather trends continue as they are there should be a very good crop.”

US Melon news 09 FEB 2009

Cantaloupes: Supplies on Honduras and
Costa Rica cantaloupes are very good this
week. Sizing is to the large side (9/12ct)* for
both growing areas, and will continue that way
for about 10-14 days. Florida and New Jersey
distribution points will continue receiving the
majority of the fruit arrivals between them and
the West Coast (L.A.). MARKET LOWER

Honeydews: Similar to that of Cantaloupes,
Honeydew availability is very good and large
improvements over previous weeks. Fruit from
both Honduras and Costa Rica is available and
quality is very good. There is a wide range of
sizing available and there are deals available
on the smaller fruit. MARKET LOWER

Turkey: Prepare for costlier melon

The watermelon production in the southern city of Adana covers a substantial prorportion of Turkey’s total watermelon production. However, this year, Adana watermelon has lost its attractively.

Many producers have been orienting toward growing alternative products in the region. If the supply-demand balance shifted that would result in a pricier watermelon at the markets.


Source: hurriyet.com.tr

Publication date: 2/9/2009

Murcia: over 5,700 hectareas devoted to melon production

Region of Murcia vegetable exports increase by 11%

Germany consumes one of every three vegetables that Murcia sells abroad, importing 301,543 tonnes of vegetable produce between January and October 2008.

The regional sector aims to carry on growing and to do so it has set its sights on the Eastern European countries, to which it already destines significant volumes of its vegetable production.

Tradition and innovation go hand in hand in vegetable farming in the Region of Murcia, which has found that the excellent food quality and safety of its produce are the best tools with which to conquer international markets, the main consumers of vegetables grown in the Region.

Hence, over the first ten months last year, the Region of Murcia exported a total of 869,770 tonnes of vegetable produce to its various markets, which represents a 11,4% increase over figures for the same period 2007, in which foreign markets consumed 780,694 tonnes of Murcian vegetables.

European Union countries are the main buyers of the Region’s vegetable produce. More specifically, the list of countries receiving our vegetables is headed by the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the Netherlands and Italy; these five accounting for 80% of the Region’s vegetable exports overall.

Despite proximity and tradition making these countries the principal consumer of Murcian vegetables, the endeavour and dynamism of the region’s producer-marketer sector are adding new destinations to the list of markets to receive our vegetable produce.

Thus, in recent times there has been a rising demand from countries like Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Russia.

Germany consumes one in every three vegetables Murcia exports

The German market heads the buyer ranking of Murcian vegetables. Hence, between the months of January and October last year, this country bought a total of 301,543 tonnes of vegetables exported from the Region of Murcia in said period.

The United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands follow Germany in the list of receivers of the region’s vegetable produce, with total imports of 278,266, 151,952 and 104,520 tonnes, respectively for the first ten months of 2008.

The Eastern European countries, on the other hand, revealed themselves to be new destination markets for Murcia’s vegetables, whereby countries like Poland (19,563 t), Hungary (3,436 t), Slovakia (2,496 t), Russia (2,367 t) and Slovenia (1,075 t) are currently our main buyers in the east.

Over 48,000 hectares devoted to vegetable production

The figures of the acreage devoted to this kind of crops in our Region and which now, according to the latest information published by the Regional Government Agriculture and Water Department, stand at 48,214 hectares, evidences Murcia’s vegetable-growing vocation.

By product type, lettuce (12,788 Ha.), cauliflower and broccoli (11,021 Ha.) artichokes (7,098 Ha.), melon (5,700 Ha.), tomatoes (4,118 Ha.) and peppers (1,799 Ha.) are the vegetable crops occupying the largest acreages in our Region.

In production terms tomatoes (380,270 t), lettuce (301,687 t), melon (248,288 t), broccoli (151,090 t) and peppers (128,618 t) top the regional vegetable production list.

Tradition and innovation

The last two decades have been key for the development of the vegetable sector in Murcia, which thanks to its high quality has become a true benchmark in the various markets in which it operates.

Food quality and safety are, undoubtedly, the two features which best define Murcia’s vegetable produce. For its part, this sector in the Region has gradually been improving the distribution channels for its products, fostering the use of the most modern technologies and promoting “Agricultura Limpia” (Clean Agriculture).

In this context the “Agricultura Limpia” scheme promoted by the Regional Government Agriculture and Water Department has led the Region to become one of the most outstanding autonomous communities in Spain in the field of biological and biotechnological pest control and the replacement of phytosanitary products.

A delegation of over 300 professionals from the sector in Murcia will be travelling to Berlin to take part in the 16th edition of “Fruit Logisitica”, the most important agrifood event of those held in Europe and which will act as a privileged showcase for exhibiting its novelties and what the sector has to offer.

Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - February 2009

Region of Murcia brands a quality benchmark in the European markets

Once again, the Region of Murcia will be taking part in “Fruit Logistica”, the trade fair to be held in Berlin from 4th to 6th February, exhibiting the best attributes of the Region’s agrifood products.

The Region of Murcia is committed to developing quality brands which award our agrifood products added value, enabling them to be easily identified by the most demanding consumers from foreign markets.

The diversity of produce, the outcome of its various microclimates and soils, makes Murcian farming an emblem; a synonym of the very highest quality. Hence, this region has, for decades, been known as the market garden of Europe.

Murcia is currently the second most important autonomous community in Spain in terms of vegetable exports and the third for fruits. The agrifood sector in Murcia accounts for ten per cent of the region’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and it employs fourteen per cent of the population, exports coming to some €1,500 million.

Murcia’s farming sector has always endeavoured to develop the utmost food quality and safety, together with the incorporation of the most modern technologies, to adapt its produce to a higher dynamic pace, in keeping with the needs of today’s consumer.

Commitment to innovation

In its commitment to innovation and quality, the Regional Authorities offer financial aid to foster the swapping over to varieties which are more in line with market demands, to boost the incorporation of young farmers, to advise and modernise farm businesses, to promote organic and integrated agriculture, to encourage sustainable rural development, etc. Always with the aim of increasing the Region’s farming sector and making it more competitive.

Hence, one of the most important lines of action for the Regional Government Agriculture Department comes under its “Agricultura Limpia” (Clean Agriculture) Scheme, where a variety of biological and biotechnological pest control techniques are used in order to raise the quality of the Region’s farm produce on international markets. Furthermore, pest control activities have intensified on products coming from other countries.

Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - February 2009

US Melon news 02 FEB 2009

Cantaloupes: Supplies on Honduras
cantaloupes have improved and Costa Rica
fruit is starting to arrive this week. Florida and
New Jersey distribution points will be receiving
the majority of the fruit arrivals and West Coast
(L.A.) will be the lighter of the two areas for
sure again this week. Cantaloupe supplies
look to continue improving over the next 7-10
days which will in turn give way to more
aggressive pricing. MARKET LOWER

Honeydews: Honeydew supplies are better
this week with the influence of Costa Rica fruit
along with the supplies already arriving from
Honduras. Supplies will keep improving into
next week and quality is very good from both
new areas. MARKET LOWER