More than 250 traders, retailers and distributors from 12 countries in Europe, South America and Africa gathered at the Global Melon and Watermelon Event '15 for a first-hand peek at the solutions offered by Rijk Zwaan.
The format of the event allowed clients to find the products they need throughout the year in 3 different productive sectors: Brazil-Central America, Africa and Europe (mainly Spain).
Rijk Zwaan is focusing its work in seeking to maintain its quality and productivity standards by obtaining varieties with smaller calibres; a radical change for Piel de Sapo melons, which have traditionally always been large in Spain. This was stated by Diego Maestre, Crop Coordinator for melons and courgettes at Rijk Zwaan Iberia, who presented Mellissimo®, a Piel de Sapo melon for export with a smaller calibre.
"The problem that the sector has faced so far with the Piel de Sapo has been that the small melons exported were coming from plants with large varieties, when the cycle was almost exhausted and the quality was not ideal. We are now better at this and we are obtaining a number of varieties weighting between 1.5 and 2.5 kilo, suitable not only for consumers in Europe, but also Brazil and Spain, where some retail chains are starting to offer smaller Piel de Sapo melons."
"Large melon marketers are gradually seeking to reduce calibres to adapt to changes in consumption habits, which have been shaped by the recession, the growing purchases in winter and the influx of foreigners. We have already seen it this season in Murcia, with producers being unable to sell the larger sizes. The market is discovering the quality of small melons," explains Diego Maestre.
A 1.5 kilo calibre during the entire yellow melon cycle
Rijk Zwaan, yellow melon leader in Spain, divides the entire production cycle between different varieties, starting with the Pekin as the earliest in Murcia, followed by the Ducral and by the late Yeral, in Castile-La Mancha. Now, the seed company has incorporated a variety with a productive cycle between that of the Ducral RZ and the Yeral RZ: the Lual RZ, which is its biggest launch in the yellow melon sector, as well as a replacement for the Pekin RZ: the Caimital RZ, thus completing a range that allows it to supply a uniform size, of about 1.5 kilos, throughout the entire cycle; exactly the calibre which is demanded by markets like Germany, the UK and the Netherlands.
Furthermore, it also presented the Caribbean®, Sandissima® and Gostissimo® concepts in different product families. Caribbean® is the evolution of American Cantaloupe melons, with a very long shelf life and a high Brix. Gostissimo® is a breakthrough when it comes to the Branco, recalling the taste and tradition of Branco de Ribatejo melons. Sandissima®, in sizes of between 3 and 4 kg, are watermelons of all colours with a high internal quality.
"Fresh & Processing Markets"
With a focus on the processing industry, this year a number of processing companies from countries such as the UK, the Netherlands and Spain have taken part in the event. The challenges and opportunities in this market were discussed in a number of workshops.
New trends Procomel
On Wednesday 8 July, a conference was held at the Chamber of Commerce of Cartagena to discuss the challenges Rijk Zwaan is facing, as well as the global trends in the melon and watermelon markets.
One of the participants was Celedonio Buendía, CEO of Procomel, a leading firm in the production and marketing of melons, who outlined his vision regarding the future of the melon and watermelon market.
Accompanied by Diego Maestre, David Herzog, Watermelon and Rootstocks Crop Coordinator at Rijk Zwaan, outlined some new concepts. Vincent van Wolferen, Marketing & Business Development for Melon and Watermelon at Rijk Zwaan, presented new challenges in the processing industry.
Those attending the event gave a very positive feedback and appreciated the networking opportunities.
