Last week, Rijk Zwaan organized the International Melon Days. On the brand new demo station in Murcia – La Marina – there was particularly a lot of attention for the Mellissimo concept.

The International Melon Days were visited by Spanish growers as well as a number of European key players in the production and trade of melons, including some retailers. Several crop advisors and chain specialists of Rijk Zwaan where present, to inform visitors about the possibilities that the Rijk Zwaan varieties have to offer in different melon types. The whole week – but especially on Thursday – there was a lot of attention for Mellissimo, a melon concept by Rijk Zwaan, consisting of small Piel de Sapo melons.

Convenient and year round quality

Rijk Zwaan Chain Manager Vincent van Wolferen explains why this concept has such a big potential: “The Piel de Sapo melon type is enormously popular in Spain, but outside this country it is virtually unknown. One of the reasons is that consumers in Northern Europe prefer a smaller fruit size. This is exactly what we can offer with our variety Ricura RZ: the same great taste, but with a convenient size and a high fruit quality that can be supplied all year round. Ricura is the first variety in the ‘Mellissimo’ concept, a range of small, tasty Piel de Sapo melons that will be extended in the coming years and also fits the organic market.”

Big potential

Mellissimo also turned out to be very popular in the taste trials that Rijk Zwaan organized during the Melon Days. Visitors could indicate which varieties – new and old ones - they liked the most, which gave Rijk Zwaan valuable information to build on in the future. Lastly, there was also a presentation by the English retailer Asda. They explained the importance of supplying the consumer with reliable, high quality fruits. The characteristics of Mellissimo perfectly fit this goal. “For Rijk Zwaan as well as for our partners, the International Melon Week gave a lot of inspiration and positive energy. It confirmed the big potential for the Rijk Zwaan melon assortment in general, and the Mellissimo concept in particular”, concludes Van Wolferen.