According to a recent campaign report from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food, the area devoted to melon and watermelon production in 2023 has been singularly affected by the lower availability of water resources “which has conditioned planting decisions in the productive areas of southern and eastern Spain. As a result, significant declines are expected at the national level.” In terms of production, in the absence of official data and pending the assessment of the damage caused by the adverse weather conditions recorded in May and June, a significant drop is also expected.

However, the reduction in the area of both crops, which the sector estimates at 20% this year, has been a constant factor for several seasons. According to data provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, the 2022 campaign ended with an area of 16,211 hectares, i.e. 15.8% less than in 2021 and 16.1% less than the average of the five last campaigns, with a double-digit drop in all producing regions (Andalusia stands out with a 25.1% decrease in hectares over 2021).

Given these figures, it was to be expected that production in 2022, a year in which weather conditions were unfavorable, would also decrease; especially melon production. For the first time in history, Spain produced less than 600,000 tons of melon.

With less surface area and less production, the prices of these fruits skyrocketed in 2022. They peaked in June and reached up to €12/kg; in the case of the Piel de Sapo melon, prices were 86.5% higher than in 2021, and watermelon prices were 159.4% higher than in 2021.

This year, given the expected decline in production, imports have increased significantly. Based on data until March, in melon, counter-season volumes from Brazil have recovered, accompanied by an increase in supplies from Senegal, in competition with the first productions. In watermelon, there's been an increase in supplies originating from both Senegal and Mauritania, the Ministry details.

The data will confirm whether this trend has continued during the campaign, but it is already been confirmed that, up to June, the impact of rainfall caused significant damage to the outdoor campaign, which means the supply will be under pressure.

Source - https://www.freshplaza.com