According to Ramón Fernández-Pacheco, the regional Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, 60 per cent of the strategic plan for Andalusia's greenhouse fruit and vegetable production has already been implemented. The plan, approved by the regional government, includes 43 concrete measures and a budget of 441 million euros.
The aim of this plan is to provide the sector with all the tools at its disposal to maintain its leading position in the national and international market, promoting employment and economic growth in rural areas, advancing sustainability, the efficient use of resources, the circular economy, and R+D+i.
Fernández-Pacheco was present at the launch of Almeria's Fruit and Vegetable Producers Association's (Coexphal) watermelon promotional campaign. Almería is Spain's largest watermelon exporter and the second largest exporter of melons.
10,905 hectares of watermelon are expected to be cultivated in the 2024-2025 season, 2% more than last season's 10,750 hectares. The harvest is estimated at approximately 631,000 tons, also 2% or about 12,000 tons more than last season. "Positive figures that show growth," the Minister said.
Recognition of Almería producers
The Minister also praised the region's producers and marketing companies, highlighting that the Regional Agricultural Delegation had not found a single unripe watermelon in the more than 50 inspections that they had carried out within the No Green Cuts campaign since last March. The goal of the campaign is that producers only harvest watermelons when they are fully ripe.
"Producers in Almerpía know that their products have to meet the best quality conditions to be able to market them. Excellence is part of their DNA, and that sells in the market," he stressed.
He also highlighted the Andalusian government's commitment to the fruit and vegetable sector. "Our sector's voice is louder than ever in Europe," he said. "I am going to ensure it continues to do so in my tenure as president of the Assembly of Horticultural Regions of Europe (AREFLH), which brings together regions and producers, such as Coexphal, and which I am proud to have chaired since last April."
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