Latest News
Spain: Melon acreage remains fairly stable in Jan-Apr 2010
Melon acreage in Castilla-La Mancha increases 6.95%, ending the downward trend
In April 2010, melon acreage in Spain totalled 31,103 hectares, a slight decrease of 0.82% compared with 12 months earlier, according to a report released by the Ministry of the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs (MARM). Nevertheless, this is a positive result, given that it ends the dramatic downward trend in melon acreage observed in Spain over the last 3 years.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - July 2010
France: Melon production to decrease 13% in 2010
Production of 110,000 tonnes anticipated in the South-Eastern regions
After the exceptional yield reported in 2009, it is expected that France will produce approximately 250,000 t of melons in 2010, a decrease of 13% in comparison with the previous year, according to Interfel, the French Association of Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Producers and Distributors.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - July 2010
Hermanos Bruñó becomes the first company to label melons in Braille
The company distributes its products within Spain and overseas
On 1 June, the Castellón-based company Hermanos Bruñó began to label its 5-star melon (“5 estrellas”) using the Braille system. The printing technique employed to create the label does not distort the current brand image, and the raised letters, in the form of silicone dots, can be read by touch. This system will benefit many people by allowing them to identify the product they are purchasing.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - July 2010
Costa Rica: Increase in melon sales to Eastern European countries expected
Yellow Honeydew, Piel de Sapo and Cantaloupe could be the most popular varieties
Over the next few years, Costa Rica expects to increase its melon sales, particularly to Eastern European countries. The purchasing power of these countries has grown and their demand for tropical fruits is increasing. As Procomer (the Foreign Trade Corporation of Costa Rica) told Melon Today, it is anticipated that Yellow Honeydew, Piel de Sapo and Cantaloupe will be the varieties that are most in demand in this new market.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - July 2010
U.S.: Cantaloupe summer harvest area forecast to increase 1%
Honeydew summer harvest area is expected to decrease 2%
According to a July report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the prospective area for harvest of Cantaloupe melons during the summer is forecast to be 11,700 hectares, up 1% from 2009. As for Honeydew melon, the area for summer harvest is forecast at 4,050 hectares, down 2% in comparison with last year.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - July 2010
Red, purple or blue fruits and vegetables may prevent cancer
EC research studies the impact of F&V pigments on human health
Anthocyanins, the pigments responsible for the red, blue and purple colour of several fruits and vegetables, could be highly beneficial to human health. A research project christened the Athena Project has been developed by the European Commission to investigate further in this field.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - July 2010
Oman: Government aims to promote greenhouse technologies
Due to its climate and scarce water supplies, Oman has considerable potential for greenhouse farming
In a bid to support agricultural practices which use less water, the government of Oman is planning either to refurbish and modernise existing greenhouse operations or to relocate greenhouses and high water use field crops to other regions of the country. One potential area is the large region in western Oman between Thumrait and Muqsin, north of the Salalah crescent. According to the Oman Daily Observer, this area is relatively undeveloped, it has a good road and communications infrastructure, and there are potentially large undeveloped water resources.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - July 2010
Unica and ZON investigate possible cooperation
Their target will be to improve the economic continuity for their growers & a better service to customers
Venlo/Almeria – Spanish cooperative Unica from Almeria and ZON Coöperatie from Venlo have agreed to investigate the possibility of working together commercially. Both organisations are active in the sales and marketing of fruit and vegetables on behalf of their affiliated growers, and supply direct from the grower to the customer. The target of this cooperation will be to improve the economic continuity for their growers as well as a better service to customers.
Spain: Fresh-cut sales up 8.3% in Jan-Apr 2010
82% of sales were made to the distribution sector
In the first 4 months of 2010, sales of fresh-cut products in Spain totalled 24,001 tonnes, 8.3% more than in the same period of 2009, according to figures announced by AFHORLA, the Spanish Fresh-cut Association which forms part of FEPEX (Spanish Federation of Fruit and Vegetable Producers and Exporters).
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - July 2010
Honduras: International Congress of Melon & Watermelon Producers & Exporters
The event, organised by FPX, will take place on 21-24 July
The XVIII International Congress of Melon and Watermelon Producers and Exporters, an event organised by the Honduran Federation of Agro-exporters (FPX) with the support of the Honduran Association of Melon Producers and Exporters (APROEXMEH), will be held on 21-24 July in Tela, Honduras, bringing together the most important players in the melon sector from all over the world.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - July 2010
Turkey: Melon exports increased 180% between 2007 and 2009
1.7 million tonnes of fresh fruit was exported in 2009
Turkish melon imports totalled 56,000 tonnes in 2009, an increase of 180% in comparison with 2007, when 20,000 tonnes were exported, according to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute. In 2008, 45,000 exported tonnes were registered, 125% more than in 2007.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - July 2010
Morocco: Charentais acreage to decrease 12% in 2010
Weather conditions have delayed most of the melon production
This season Europêch'2010 anticipates that Charentais melon acreage will fall to between 1850 and 2000 ha (-12% compared with 2009). The same source calculates that Charentais acreage in Marrakech, Agadir and Kenitra will total 1500-1600 ha, 14% less than last year.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - July 2010
UK: Del Monte to launch fresh-cut melon product for children
The new product will be sold through an exclusive campaign at Tesco
Del Monte is to launch a new range of fresh-cut produce especially aimed at British children. The Fruitini range of bags is available in four varieties, one of which is Luscious Melon Bites.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - July 2010
Syngenta to promote quality in the Italian melon sector
Most recent melon harvest yielded 621,000 tonnes
The global economic downturn has affected the Italian melon sector, driving it to put price before quality, according to Bruno Busin, Product Manager Melon and Watermelon for Syngenta Seeds Vegetables. Syngenta, however, “seeks to promote varieties of the highest quality in the market, because if we follow suit and lower prices at origin, this will downgrade the quality of the final product,” Bruno Busin observes.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - July 2010
EU: European Commission approves 19 programmes to promote agriculture
“EU programmes of this sort can really help our producers in an increasingly competitive world”
The programmes were approved in 14 Member States (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, France, Greece, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom) to provide information on and to promote agricultural products in the European Union.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - July 2010
Spain: 62.8% of Spanish population planned their shopping in 2009
50% of the Spanish population prepared a list and kept to it when shopping in 2009, 1.4% more than in 2006
Shopping frequency remained stable during the period from April 2009 to March 2010, as did the number of items bought on each shopping trip, according to the consultancy group Kantar Worldpanel. It was also found that shoppers are becoming more sensitive to price.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - July 2010
Americans are encouraged to eat more F&V to combat obesity
Report promotes a plant-based diet & physical activity to improve health
June 2010 saw the release of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s Report, which will form the basis of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans published by the USDA and HHS to promote nutrition education activities among the American population. This year’s publication emphasises an urgent need for American society to consume more fruits and vegetables if the goals of changing unhealthy eating patterns and reducing obesity are to be achieved.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - July 2010
Amazon to offer F&V in Germany and UK
The aim is to offer buyers an efficient and convenient service
Since 1 July, Germans have been able to buy their fruits and vegetables from a new portal launched by the German branch of the international online distributor Amazon.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - July 2010
EU: Country of origin information compulsory in F&V labelling
Euro MPs choose the Guideline Daily Amounts scheme for food labelling over the colour code system
Country of origin information is now compulsory in all European fruit and vegetable labelling, as it is for all other food products, following a vote taken by Euro MPs in June. Through this legislation, the European Parliament has set the new regulations for food packaging in the European Union.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - July 2010
Fruit and vegetables: Major retail outlets in France to reduce their margins
The agreement has largely satisfied farmers and distributors alike
On Monday, 17 May, major retail outlets in France pledged to reduce their margins on fruit and vegetables, according to a plan promoted by Nicolas Sarkozy to avoid repeated crises in the sector. Through this agreement, Nicolas Sarkozy seeks to provide French producers with more visibility on prices, assuring them that their income will be more secure.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - July 2010
Convenience sector growing fast in the UK
Convenience stores are increasingly demanding fresh food
The UK convenience sector has shown rapid growth during the last ten years. In 2010, the value of this sector reached 30.9 billion pounds, an increase of approximately 6.3% compared with 2009 and 61.8% more than in the year 2000, when the sector was worth 19.2 billion pounds, according to a recent IGD report entitled Convenience Retailing 2010, Future Trading Strategies.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - July 2010
Fresh convenience sector: a real venue for innovation in the produce business
Fresh Convenience Congress came to London for the first time on 22-24 June 2010
The first-ever Fresh Convenience Congress saw prepared and fresh-cut produce players meet in London last week to mark a way forward for the growing category.
Fresh Convenience Congress - July 2010
Granada summit leads to a trade agreement between EU and Morocco
Moroccan tomato exports will adhere to a special seasonal schedule.
Representatives of the EU and Morocco met in Granada (Spain) last March to initiate an agreement that will accelerate the liberalisation of trade between both parties.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - July 2010
Italy: 10% more melon will be eaten during the 4-week period of the World Cup
Fresh-cut consumption is expected to increase by 15%
Melon and watermelon are the most popular fruits eaten by Italians in front of the TV while watching the World Cup. This is the conclusion to be drawn from a recent survey of producers, distributors and consumers across Italy conducted by the Italian agricultural organisation CIA.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - July 2010
Spain: Melon consumption up 8.2% in the first quarter of 2010
Household fruit consumption increases by 12%.
Melon consumption in Spanish households reached 19,085 tonnes in the first three months of 2010, an increase of 8.2% in comparison with the same period in 2009, when 17,640 tonnes were consumed, according to the Spanish Ministry of the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs (MARM).
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - July 2010
Spain: Charentais production in Almería could decrease by 11%
Production remains stable in the regions of Malaga, Seville, Murcia and Cartagena
Wedged between Morocco and France, the area for Charentais production in Spain is fairly small. The volume of this production is due to fall this season, according to Interfel, the French Association of Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Producers and Distributors.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - July 2010
Italy: Melon imports and exports increased 32.57% and 55.63% respectively in first quarter of 2010
Fruit imports down 16.55% while exports up 20.17% in same period
Italy imported 9,581 tonnes of melons during the first quarter of 2010, 32.57% more than during the same period of 2009 when 7,227 tonnes were imported. Over the same period, melon exports increased 55.63% compared with 2009 to a total of 998 tonnes, according to data from Istat (Italian National Institute of Statistics).
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - July 2010
Why are melons good for you?
Melon is a rich source of vitamin C, beta-carotene, potassium and magnesium
Many initiatives have recently been undertaken to promote the consumption of fruits and vegetables, highlighting the beneficial effects that these can have on human health. And there can be no doubt that the melon is a very healthy product.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - June 2010
Honduras: Melon exports down 20%
Approximately 85% of all Honduran melon production is exported
Honduras has just ended its 2009/10 melon season with exports totalling approximately 154,330 tonnes. This represents a decline of about 20% compared with the previous season, when exports reached a volume of 197,506 tonnes.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - June 2010
Egypt and Morocco led African melon production in 2008
Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Cameroon have been top melon producers in the continent since 1998
Egypt and Morocco are the undisputed leaders of melon production in Africa. Egypt harvested a volume of more than 757,677 tonnes in 2008, while Morocco produced 736,800 tonnes. Each of these countries accounted for around 43% of total production in the African market.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - June 2010
California: Cantaloupe acreage to decrease 5% and Honeydew acreage to increase 5%
Cantaloupe will continue to have 4 times the acreage of Honeydew
The area assigned to Cantaloupe in the spring season of 2010 is anticipated to fall by 5%, while the area for Honeydew melons cultivation should show an increase of 5% on 2009 figures, according to the California Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Sacramento.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - June 2010
Fruitness, Enjoy it! campaign promotes fruit among children and teenagers
A total of 7,500 stores across the UK, Austria, Germany, Poland and Sweden have participated in the campaign
The Fruitness, Enjoy it! campaign to promote fruit recently received funding to the value of 3.5 million euros in order to continue its activities until at least 2012. The campaign seeks to promote fruit among children and teenagers by means of a fun and games-based approach.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - June 2010
European fruit consumption stable in 2008
Freshfel Europe releases the 2009 edition of its Consumption Monitor revealing a light fall in fresh vegetable consumption
Total gross supply of fruit per capita stood at 95.48 kg in 2008, according to the Freshfel Consumption Monitor 2009. This represents a decrease in fruit consumption of 0.67% in 2008, compared with average consumption over the previous five years.
Romania: Value of retail market expected to grow 132% over 10-year period
Traditional markets continue to be essential for fruit and vegetables.
In recent years, the retail market in Romania has experienced enormous growth. According to the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the United States Department of Agriculture, the value of the retail market is expected to increase by 132% over the 10-year period from 2007 to 2017.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - June 2010
Fresh-cut consumption up 10.2% in Italy
Vegetable consumption increases 5.4% in the first quarter of 2010
During the first quarter of 2010, Italian families bought 10.2% more fresh-cut products compared with the same period of 2009. Fresh vegetable sales also prospered during this 3-month period, showing an increase of 5.4%, according to data from Ismea (Institute of Services for the Agrifood Market).
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - June 2010
Spain: Melon exports volume up 55.84% while their value increases 55.71%
Volume and value of melon imports increased 19.74% and 20.82% respectively in first quarter of 2010
Spain exported 5,657 tonnes of melons during the first quarter of 2010, 55.84% more than in the same period last year. Over the same period, melon imports increased 19.64% compared with 2009 to a total of 25,081 tonnes, according to data from FEPEX, the Spanish Federation of Fruit and Vegetables Producers/ Exporters.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - May 2010
Melon extract intake may be linked to cardiovascular benefits
Daily consumption of Extramel may lower cholesterol levels and prevent hardening of the arteries
Research carried out by the University of Montpellier claims that daily consumption of the melon extract Extramel, produced by the French company BioNov, may be linked to cardiovascular benefits. The findings of the study have been published in the Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases Journal.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - May 2010
Solfruit Group develops “melons in a handbag” with Central American melons
The innovative packaging adds value to the melons from Costa Rica
Solfruit Group, a group of Dutch companies specialising in the import, marketing and distribution of fresh fruit and vegetables, enjoyed considerable success last year with the launch of new packaging consisting of two melons in a handbag. In 2010, the group’s success with Central American melons is being maintained.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - May 2010
Spain: Positive forecast for melon production and acreage in Castilla la Mancha
Both acreage and production are expected to increase in 2010
The melon section of Cooperativas Agroalimentarias in Castilla La Mancha (Spain) has announced a positive forecast for this year’s melon season in the region. The prospects for this season were analysed at the annual meeting of the Cooperatives on 30 April.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - May 2010
Del Monte and Florette invest in the UK with fresh-cut melon products
Fruit is increasingly in demand as a snack in the British market.
Leading companies in the fruit and vegetable convenience sector such as Del Monte and Florette are investing in fresh-cut fruit products in the UK market. Both these companies recently launched new fresh-cut fruit product ranges there, with melon among the fruits featured.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - May 2010
Melon compound may reduce stress and fatigue
The enzyme superoxide dismutase could help to reduce damage caused by the oxidative stress process.
According to research carried out by scientists from the French companies Bionov and Seppic, together with researchers from the University Henri Pointcaré and Isoclin, a clinical research organisation, daily consumption of melon may reduce stress, fatigue and problems with sleeping.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - May 2010
43% of Britons eat 5 servings of fruit or vegetables per day
F&V consumption in UK has been steadily increasing since 2006
Fruit and vegetable consumption in the UK has shown an upward trend since 2006, according to consumer research conducted by the food industry’s research body, IGD. Currently, more than two-fifths (43%) of shoppers say they eat five portions of fruit or vegetables a day as part of a healthy lifestyle, whereas in 2006 less than a third (32%) of shoppers made this claim.
Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Melon Today - May 2010
