The market for melons still has considerable margins for progress

The very first Euro-Mediterranean Congress of melon held within framework of MedFEL, in Perpignan.

The conference presentations were diverse and of high quality, the topics covered extended from production in the world and in some European countries, to consumption, crop protection, through crisis management, with  specific examples. Each presentation is available on the website AREFLH (address: areflh.org).

Production in the world remains stable at around 32 million tons. China is the largest producer with more than 17 million tons, followed by Turkey (1.7 million tons), Iran (1.4 million tons), Egypt and India. Also stable global trade: imports 680,000 t, exports 200,000 t.

Factor of added value to the sector, varietal offer is highly diversified, including products with different features and textures such as canaries, piel de sapo (yellow flesh), the Galia (green flesh), the Charente, the honey dew (orange flesh) and also watermelon: an interesting asset for the segmentation of the offer.

Many countries are still under-consumers of melon such as England, Finland, Hungary, Germany, etc.. Considerable margins of progress exist therefore, and the quality is the main asset of the melon to develop market share with consumers and non-consumers.

source : areflh org