Melon import volume drops by 51 percent

István Nagy said at a press conference held at the Lidl Hungary logistics center that currently more than 1,300 farmers grow watermelons and 310 cantaloupes.

The number of watermelon growers increased by nine percent compared to last year, and the number of cantaloupe growers by fifteen percent.

– the Minister of Agriculture explained.

István Nagy also spoke about the fact that Hungary’s melon export opportunities continue to be available, with Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Poland being the main target countries. Melon exports increased by 31 percent last year compared to the previous year, he added.

István Nagy said that in the domestic watermelon trade, supermarkets account for 60-65 percent and markets, greengrocers, and roadside sales are exposed. He added that the annual per capita consumption of watermelons ranges from 10-12 kilograms, and of cantaloupe between 1.5 and 2.2 kilograms.