Market Minute: Perfect timing for promoting melons and grapes

Two of the top high-volume categories are grapes and melons. Advertising and promoting both will boost your produce sales tremendously along with some substantial gross profit. This is the best time of the season to set up some nice attractive California grape displays as well as large mixed melon presentations.

Grapes: There is an excellent supply of grape volume now available out of the Central Valley of California. Demand is moderate on a steady market. Perfect time to run those promotional ads.

Cantaloupes: Good volume and ample supply is now available from California. The market is moderate on 12 and 15 sizes with a fairly good demand on the nine size. Quality is excellent along with the interior color. Flavor is outstanding.

Honeydews: The current demand exceeds supply on a steady market. Sizes are sporadic with large melons limited. There are still honeydews available, so work with your suppliers to get your share.

Variety melons: This is the time to mix in some specialty melons with your cantaloupe and honeydew display. An extensive array of Juan Canary, Galia, Persian, Santa Claus, Crenshaw and Casaba melons are entering the markets at this time of the season.

Watermelons: The demand is mostly good with a steady market. Supply is erratic coming from several areas. Heavy rains hampered harvesting and shipping out of Indiana while some southern areas are finishing up. Other fields are unable to fill all the additional requirements. California demand is very good on a steady market. The mini seedless watermelons are very limited in supply at this time.

 Why do we always suggest to check with your suppliers? Good question asked by a grocery store produce buyer.

Wholesale suppliers play a very significant servicing role in the distribution of produce items for retailers. They are in direct contact with their partnered growers and shippers. Wholesalers are kept up to date in real time about produce availability, quality, conditions and costs. Suppliers are your best sources for guidance when it comes to helping you build a promotion. That's why we recommend you rely on their skilled knowledge of the produce markets.

Ron Pelger is a produce industry adviser and industry writer. He can be contacted at 775-843-2394 or by e-mail at [email protected].