Big Chuy working with new, modern Mexican packing sheds
Big Chuy working with new, modern Mexican packing sheds
NOGALES, AZ — The operations of longtime watermelon specialist Big Chuy Distributors & Sons Inc., moved a step forward this spring.
Chuy Lopez, Jr., the general manager of the firm, indicated that three of his Mexican shippers this spring are operating new state-of-the-art watermelon packing sheds.
“This will make it easier with sizing and weighing,” Lopez said.
Big Chuy will handle the same volume of seedless and mini-sized watermelons as last year, he indicated.
Mexico’s shipping area, Guaymas, had very early watermelons with shipments in late March. Guaymas and Hermosillo growers were all to be shipping in April, Lopez said. He looked forward to having an early crop, which would be perfect for Easter promotions by North American retailers.
Chuy said the market prices for watermelons were starting low because of bad weather in North America’s most populous markets. When the weather in big cities “turns around, we will move more.”
As has long been the case, seeded watermelons grown in Mexico are almost entirely sold domestically because there is local demand. At the same time, north of that border, seedless melons are overwhelmingly preferred. There are a few pockets in North America that do prefer seeded watermelons, but those are very limited opportunities.
In sum, Lopez said the Mexican watermelon fields are “looking good” and there should be good volume” for the Mexican deal, which will run through May.
