MAS Melons Transitions to Southern Mexico and Adds New Melon Variety
RIO RICO, AZ - I’ve got melons on my mind, and as the weather begins to warm up, your consumers will too. A momentous transition and the launch of a new variety recently took place for MAS Melons, poising the company for a year of unprecedented success. To get a better read on this exciting program, I had the chance to chat with Miguel (Mikee) Suarez Jr. of Sales.
“We have concluded our Northern Mexico deal and are now transitioning to our Southern Mexico deal that will take us all the way through the winter,” Mikee told me. “This fruit is from our partner growers in Colima and Nayarit, Mexico. We have honeydew, mini watermelon, conventional carton watermelon, and a new variety of melon called the Orange Candy planned for the season.”
According to Mikee, the Orange Candy variety is a high-brix melon with orange flesh and a bright yellow skin. This new item will soon be available for Japan export and some domestic business as well. MAS Melons recently began the season out of Colima, with Nayarit to follow in February, and will continue to harvest until late March/early April.
“Quality looks excellent. We were very fortunate to have ideal growing conditions all season, and the fruit is definitely showing it with excellent quality being harvested,” Mikee said. “Our Desert Pride mini watermelons were the first item we received from Colima, and brix were 10 plus with nice, red flesh. Honeydews are due to start coming in by January 12 and conventional watermelon right after that.”
Since wrapping up its Northern Mexico season, MAS Melons has already seen success across its Southern Mexico program. The grower reported that the watermelon and honeydew markets have been strong, even with the holiday making work weeks shorter.
In addition to the exciting melon season, MAS Melons’ winter deal is just starting up with expectations for a good season. The company expanded its vegetable offerings this past winter, adding summer squash of all flavors (zucchini, yellow, grey) and cucumbers from the state of Sinaloa, Mexico.
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