“From 2027, we will be able to market the single-portion watermelons that we have been trialling for several years now,” reported Sandro Colombi, country sales manager for Known-You Seed, at the evening event held by the Dolce Passione Consortium on Friday 12 June in Cesenatico (Forlì-Cesena). “These mini varieties, which one person can eat on their own, are tasty and easy to handle. Testing is already at an advanced stage.”

© Cristiano Riciputi | FreshPlaza.comSingle-portion watermelon

Three new varieties of super-mini watermelons for the European market are being presented by Known-You Seed in response to a new consumer demand. “The trend is headed towards increasingly smaller, increasingly tasty watermelons, but with a round rather than an elongated shape. Our range includes both seeded and seedless varieties,” explained Sandro Colombi.

Another characteristic that the seed company has focused on is the rind. “We have selected a variety with a striped rind to distinguish it from other small watermelons. The most notable characteristics are a high Brix level, excellent texture and a long shelf life.” Another feature that sets the Know-You Seed range apart is the shape of the watermelons, which are perfectly round. “This may seem like a minor detail, but it brings added value, especially when it comes to choosing the packaging. They can, in fact, be packaged like large apples, perhaps in trays,” explains Colombi.

© Cristiano Riciputi | FreshPlaza.comLuciano Trentini (director of the Dolce Passione Consortium) and Sandro Colombi (Know-You Seed)

Sizes are compact – the smallest on the market yet – and the weight reflects this. “We range from an average of 500 grams for the smallest ones with micro seeds, up to 1.5–1.8 kg for the midi and seedless varieties. The aspect in which our company has invested the most is organoleptic quality: after all, it would be pointless to have small watermelons if they weren’t tasty.”

“Known-You Seed specialises in watermelon research and genetic improvement, and aims at the most advanced innovation. These varieties are convenient and suitable for personal consumption. From an agronomic and practical point of view, it will be possible to grow them vertically in greenhouses and supply the market all year round.”

For more information
Known-You Seed Europe B.V.
+31 613907148
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.knownyou.com/en-eu