News - 06-06-2024
Rijk Zwaan is all set for the Global Melon & Watermelon Event 2024
Rijk Zwaan is excited to welcome local market visitors from June 25th to 27th and international chain customers from July 1st to 4th at its CED La Palma in Cartagena, Murcia.
Developments in Melon
In the melon category, we are launching new references in the types of piel de sapo, yellow melon, Galia, white honey dew, and in the orange-fleshed ones Charentais and Cantaloupe. "This season, we will focus on varieties suited for spring/summer growing", says Bernardo Cuenca, Rijk Zwaan’s Global Melon and Watermelon Coordinator for EMEA. The trend is to support nearly year-round melon consumption, which is already observed in the watermelon market, and this is the aim of Rijk Zwaan's new developments.
The goal is to offer the value chain high-quality products that can be enjoyed beyond the traditional warmer seasons associated with these fruits. "Sandissima or Candyball have alternatives that make this possible. It is not a niche, it is a market that exists in melon and is incipient in watermelon, for which solutions were needed that are already being developed", indicates Bernardo.
Watermelon highlights on the field
The event will feature standout highlights such as the Candyball varieties of micro-seeded personal-sized watermelons, the Sandissima concept, and a wide range of melon types.
Bernardo emphasizes the high expectations for Candyball, particularly due to its various skin types. The first variety in this line, Corellana RZ, will be showcased alongside other varieties, including Tiger, Crimson and Sugar Baby types. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore these variety during the event. With this introduction, Rijk Zwaan is expanding its portfolio ofmini-sized, micro-seeded watermelons, weighing between one and two kilograms, offering yields comparable to other types such as Sandissima.
Another highly anticipated innovation is the Sandissima concept, featuring slightly larger micro-seeded watermelons (2-4 kg) with excellent fresh and pollinator suitability. New Tiger and Crimson skin materials have been developed for these varieties, enhancing both their quality and post-harvest performance.
In terms of large-sized seeded and seedless watermelons, Rijk Zwaan will present solutions in the more standard range and innovations within the Tropical line, including Tropical Honey and Tropical Sunshine, which are already a benchmark in the yellow flesh market and now boasts enhanced quality and natural resistances.