California melon growers say demand for watermelons, honeydews, cantaloupes and mixed melons remains high, but getting the crop to market is not without problems this season. The statewide drought has led to a reduction in total melon acreage due to a lack of surface water.
The state’s primary melon-growing regions are the San Joaquin Valley’s west side and the Imperial Valley. They produce about 75% of the nation’s commercially grown melons. The annual melon harvest begins in the Imperial Valley and neighboring Yuma Valley in Arizona in early to mid-May, then progresses north through the San Joaquin Valley.
Despite drought-related challenges, Ryan Van Groningen of Van Groningen and Sons, a grower, packer and shipper based in Manteca, said perfect weather during the spring led to larger-sized fruit and high brix. His grower-partners are wrapping up harvest in the Imperial Valley, and he said he expects to begin harvest of large- and personal-size watermelons at the family farm in Manteca. He said extreme heat can affect yields, noting recent temperatures reaching 120 degrees in El Centro and 106 in Manteca.
Another impact to the season, according to growers, is a lack of skilled employees to harvest the crop. A shortage of truck drivers also has affected the food-supply chain and melon shipments, growers said.
Other challenges, Van Groningen said, include a shortage of shipping supplies such as pallets, bins, cardboard and paper, adding, “Packaging costs are a significant issue. Pallet costs have risen exponentially. A pallet that typically sells for $8 has doubled or tripled in price. It’s a huge impact for us.”
Source: goldrushcam.com