The watermelon season is upon us, one of the most important domestic vegetable cultures with a share of just under ten percent in total production of fruit, but in one of the leading producers Agrofructus they hope their business plans won’t be marred by cheap imported watermelons
The watermelon is a vegetable consumed as a fruit. The value of watermelon production in Croatia is around 6.66 million Euro. It is grown in every Croatian region and present form mid-June when it begins to ripe in the Neretva river valley until September when they are ripe in Slavonia. Increased production trends are visible, but the purchase price four domestic producers is falling, with the market flooded by imported goods. State assistance has lacked, with the producers on their own, as reported by Tportal.hr on July 6, 2016.
“Watermelon producers are in a paradox situation where on one hand the cheaper imported goods lower the domestic value, while on the other hand watermelons in export reach a smaller price than the ones imported,” Denis Matijević said, President of the Agrofructus group.
The price of the Croatian watermelon, according to data from the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, for each tonne was 229 Euro last year, while a tonne of imported watermelons was purchased at 273 Euro.
“The situation is much better than in 2014 when the imported goods were paid 280 Euro, while we exported at under 160 Euro per tonne. I hope that situation won’t happen again. Our watermelon is of top quality and producers must unite to be more competitive and achieve a higher price in the domestic and foreign markets,” Matijević said.
“I invite traders to favour domestic fruits and vegetables. In this was they protect domestic production, work places and significantly contribute to economic growth. Consumers recognise quality, it is time for traders to do so too and give them a chance to buy domestic,” Matijević recommended.
“If the precipitation remains low over the summer, we are set to have a great watermelon season and Agrofructus group might for the first time pass the 10,000 tonne mark,” Matijević announced.
