The outlook for the upcoming harvest and sales season of Italian watermelons is promising. In the Salento region in southern Apulia, the Nardò watermelon is one of the most important crops. This fruit is popular both in Italy and abroad for its excellent quality and intense flavor.
In this regard, Gianni Martucci of Martucci Srl explains, "We will start processing and marketing greenhouse crops in late May, while open field crops will require waiting until the end of June." Many of our customers who usually receive citrus fruits from us have expressed interest in maintaining a consistent supply of watermelons. We ship to Poland, Hungary, France, the Netherlands, and Croatia. Unlike other operators who sell watermelons as soon as they are harvested, our processing method is more costly and complicated. However, it allows us to stand out and maintain high demand throughout the season. The product is brushed, branded, weighed, and polished."
The upcoming season is also shaping up to be interesting and lively due to the production situation abroad. According to Martucci, "The weather in Morocco and Greece has negatively impacted the crops in those regions. Even Hungary, a large producer of watermelons, has experienced delays due to low temperatures and frequent cold spells."
Nardò watermelons in polytunnels
Manager Martucci is currently visiting the Nardò production site to evaluate the fruit, test its growth, and observe its ripening process. He adds: "We select farmers who cultivate land close to the sea because this increases the sugar content of the watermelons. In Nardò, watermelon crops are grown in soil containing a significant amount of stones and rich in iron. This gives the watermelons a unique flavor compared to those grown in other Italian production areas. The expected weight range is between 6 and 15 kilograms. We are not intimidated by national competition. This product has a long shelf life and is free of cracks or internal splits. Nardò watermelons are known for their high Brix degree and compact grain. The product will not deteriorate in quality if stored for more than ten days."
The produce at the Apulian processing facility is not fully ripe. The watermelons must first be processed and then dispatched to the operators. It takes about two to three days to reach various foreign destinations. Since watermelons are climacteric fruits, meaning they continue to ripen after being removed from the plant, we can harvest them when they are around 95% ripe."
For more information:
Martucci Srl
Via Chiatona
74016 Massafra (TA) - Italy
+39 338 2620262
[email protected]
martucci.info