The 2022 predictions for the planting of Charentais melons in Morocco, Spain and France were revealed during the first day of medFEL last week. A survey conducted by the Interprofessional Melon Association (AIM) among seed companies, technicians and other operators of the sector in each production basin.
The data might change once all the planting is completed and depending on the weather conditions.
Speakers: Myriam Martineau, president of AIM, Marion Mispouillé, AIM coordinator and Jérôme Jausseran, communication manager of AIM.
France: a 10% loss in surface areas
The forecast shows a general decline in the three main production zones in France, with a total of 10,400 ha predicted for 2022 (-1,250 ha).
-Center-West region: 2,700 hectares planted, including 10 ha of greenhouses. This production area is the most affected, with a loss of 800 hectares.
-South-West region: 2,300 hectares, including 30 ha of greenhouses (100 hectares less than last year).
- South-East region: 5,400 hectares, including 430 ha of greenhouses (250 hectares lost). This area has been impacted by the closure of some operators while the increase from other operators did not compensate for the significant losses.
French melons will be on the shelves from May for the heated shelters and at the end of May for the non-heated shelters.
Spain: historic drop predicted
Spain has a total of 4,000 hectares of production for 2022. In Almeria, the predictions indicate a loss of 300 hectares for green Charentais melons and 450 hectares in Seville for the yellow Charentais melons. Both provinces remain stable this year. The region of Murcia/Alicante, on the other hand, is suffering a historic loss of 800 hectares (3,100 hectares predicted for 2022, with 80% of yellow Charentais melons). This drop is a direct consequence of the 2020/2021 campaign, and it could actually be even more significant, depending on the weather.
Morocco: slight decline predicted for 2022
With a total of 1,410 hectares for this year, Morocco is only experiencing a slight decline. With a predicted loss of 75 hectares in Marrakech (green Charentais), the production is also impacted by a period of drought in January/February and a lack of sun in March. Volumes will be low in May and they also seem to lack linearity. The current difficulties in terms of logistics are not helping the situation, with a shortage of trucks and a very strong increase in costs related to transport.
Surface areas remain stable in Kenitra (120 hectares of yellow Charentais), Agadir (140 hectares of green Charentais) and Dakhla (200 hectares of green Charentais).
There is a general decrease in surface areas for all production basins, with a very significant drop in Spain and also a considerable decrease in France, especially in the Center-West region. The French 2022 campaign is taking place in a climate of uncertainty for the professionals of the sector, with fewer operators, a rise in input costs and difficulties regarding labor, logistics, as well as the supply of raw materials.
About AIM
Created in 2009, AIM brings together nearly 300 producers, producer-shippers and shippers of the sector. The mission of the association is to federate, represent, inform and support the different actors before, during and after the campaign, on such aspects as sales, technical matters, communication and marketing.
For more information:
medFEL
www.medfel.com