Melon pricing picking up

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Both the supply of and quality on domestic melons right now is strong. “Supply overall is similar to last year,” says Steve Martori III, CEO of Martori Farms, which is shipping cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon, mini melons and varietal melons.

© Martori Farms

The company is growing and packing melons in two regions right now: Aguila, Arizona and Firebaugh, California. Production will stay there until the beginning of October and then will transition to Maricopa, Arizona and Tonopah, Arizona. The company increased its acreage in cantaloupe and variety melons this year and for its upcoming offshore melon program, it plans to add acreage in Central America for its cantaloupe, honeydew and watermelon production.

Domestically, having fruit coming from two regions did help following challenging spring growing conditions–largely heat that came on earlier than expected. “We were less impacted than some of the single growing region suppliers. However, since about mid-July, that supply has stabilized,” says Martori. “I do think we have the potential for the same volatility to present itself again in the fall. I think there’s going to be significant whitefly and virus pressure in the Yuma, Arizona growing region.”

Shifts in melon demand
As for demand, market data shows that the demand is off about four percent year over year. This is believed to be attributed to the Cyclospora outbreak this summer, which impacted the demand generally of fresh produce. “So in the last four weeks, demand has been off but we’re now seeing an increase in demand that’s more in line with historic demand,” says Martori.

© Martori Farms

Where has all of this left pricing? Spring pricing was significantly higher than last year. However the slower recent demand softened prices compared to 2025. “We are now starting to see a strengthening in price and we anticipate prices to be above last year in the fall season,” he says.

For more information:
Steve Martori
Martori Farms
Tel: +1 (480) 998-1444
http://www.martorifarms.com/

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Source: The Plantations International Agroforestry Group of Companies