RIO RICO, AZ - While we may only be inching away from the cooler weather and into the spring season, consumers are taking to the melon category to be transported beyond the produce department and into warm and sunny climates with just one bite. As the category sees steady demand for the winter season, I spoke with MAS Melons & Grapes’ Miguel “Mikee” Suarez Jr. of Sales to find out what buyers can expect in the coming months.
“We are currently in our winter season, and harvest out of southern Mexico will continue all of March before we make the transition in April to northern Mexico for the start of the spring watermelon, melon, and table grape seasons,” explains Mikee.
The purveyor’s lineup this spring will include conventional watermelon, honeydew melon, and Orange Candy melon, as well as a whole portfolio of new and traditional table grape varieties, including Early Sweets, Sweet Celebrations, Sweet Globes, Ivory, Perlette, Sugraone, Flame, and more. As Mikee explains, the weather in the northern Mexico growing region has primed it for success in both categories.
“In southern Mexico, besides some colder weather slowing down production for a few days, we have been lucky to have had good weather in all our growing areas, which are in the states of Nayarit, Jalisco, and Colima,” notes Mikee.
And even as consumers feel the effects of this colder weather, MAS Melons notes that it has not swayed demand for the melon category.
“Currently, demand for melons has been steadily good for the winter season. There has been a steady demand for honeydew, mini watermelon, and conventional watermelon alike,” says Mikee. “We will continue to harvest and have fruit available for the market all winter long.”
For buyers looking to really boost the category, the supplier offers its Orange Candy melon to the United States and export markets, recently completing its first full calendar year offering the variety.
“We have steadily increased our acreage of this variety every season and project that this will continue due to a good audience for the melon,” explains Mikee. “The Orange Candy melon is an orange flesh melon with a bright yellow exterior, and the flavor is like that of a cantaloupe and very juicy!”
With warm weather and rising demand on the horizon, prep your melon and table grape categories for success with MAS Melons & Grapes’ diverse programs. And stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for more fresh produce updates.
