Pacific Trellis Fruit Details Current Melon Market and Year-Round Capabilities; Jeff Nichol Comments
LOS ANGELES, CA - Spring has sprung here in the Northern Hemisphere, and one of the first fruits I start stockpiling in my cart are melons. Shoppers know that the sweet burst of flavor is a perfect addition to spring dishes, so I turned to Pacific Trellis Fruit’s Jeff Nichol to find out everything I could about the current melon market.
“The offshore deal out of Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama is winding down and will finish over the next few weeks. The current watermelon market is tight out of Mexico due to agricultural issues and weather. We are, however, excited and optimistically expect to see increased supplies of both Mini and Full-Size watermelon coming out of Guaymas and Hermosillo, Mexico, toward the end of April, which will continue for about 6–8 weeks,” the Senior Sales Executive explained to me.
The company is looking forward to what Jeff called a stellar spring and summer season for its melons.
“Weather has turned around, and consumers are ready to taste the many flavors and varieties of melons that are available,” he noted. “In June, we will see product available domestically from Yuma, Arizona, and then we will move to the Huron/Westside growing area from July to September.”
Reporting both more acreage and an excellent product quality, Pacific Trellis Fruit wants buy-side partners to know that it is ready to keep them well-stocked this season. And even though I touched base with Jeff regarding the current market, he remarked that the Dulcinea® brand offers a year-round supply of melons in various sizes, styles, and varieties. Bin programs are also available to drive incremental sales and volume.
A number of the company’s branded melons are especially memorable in the eyes of shoppers, and Jeff pointed out how these crops are faring so far.
“Our great-tasting Dulcinea Tuscan-Style® Extra Sweet Cantaloupes will be available in June out of Arizona and then move to the San Joaquin Valley in California from July through September,” Jeff remarked.
Rich in flavor and sweetness with flesh that brings a brilliant orange color, these melons are perfectly snack-sized and ready to eat. Their distinctive grooves also let shoppers pick their ideal ripeness level.
The grower’s KISS Melons line is also expecting an availability soon, with Golden KISS Melons available in late-May to early-June out of Arizona. KISS Limon melons will also be available at this time.
“The line of KISS melons also includes the popular Summer KISS, which has a sweet, mellow, and creamy flavor; as well as Sugar KISS, which is the sweetest member of the KISS family,” Jeff added. “It is full of flavor and melts in your mouth, dissolving like sugar. That melon will be available starting in Arizona in June and run through September into the beginning of October.”
In addition to its conventional programs, the company’s organics are set to be available out of Mexico sometime in mid-May.
As we look toward strong promotional opportunities, such as Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, and the Fourth of July, be sure to look to Pacific Trellis Fruit for all of your melon program needs!
