According to forecasts, Almería will produce 631,000 tons of watermelon and increase its export volume by 21.4% this season, consolidating its leadership as Spain's leading watermelon exporter. In economic terms, the current season is expected to exceed the 229 million euros achieved last season, confirming the international momentum of Almeria's agriculture.
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Ramón Fernández-Pacheco, highlighted this during his visit to the headquarters of Grupo Caparrós, whose Caparrós Premium watermelon, now in full season, has been awarded the Flavor of the Year seal for the seventh consecutive year and marketed under the Gusto del Sur and Sabores Almeria quality brands.
"Almeria not only exports watermelons: It exports confidence, effort, and authentic flavor. And it does so with exemplary companies such as Caparrós. They do so by betting on biological control, sustainability, quality brands, and, above all, authentic flavor," he stated.
"We are facing a campaign of exceptional quality," stated Pedro Caparrós, the group's managing director. In this regard, he highlighted the company's Premium watermelon's new promotional campaign, which focuses on "the joy of sharing." "The best we have makes sense when we share it with those we appreciate," he stated, referring to one of their star products, which is valued internationally.
One of the reasons that makes Caparrós Premium watermelon unique is that they are selected by hand by experienced women who use their keen sense of touch and hearing to decide if a watermelon is or isn't Premium. "This knowledge of the field is a heritage that we also export, and what makes the difference," he said.
In addition, Fernández-Pacheco highlighted the "No green cuts" campaign, developed in collaboration with Hortyfruta, and the more than 50 inspections carried out since April, with zero incidents, to ensure that both watermelons and melons reach consumers at their optimal point of ripeness.
For more information:
Consejería de Agricultura, Pesca, Agua y Desarrollo Rural
Junta de Andalucía
www.juntadeandalucia.es