Market Minute: Time for cantaloupes, honeydews, watermelons

I recently saw two shoppers in a store, each holding a cantaloupe close to their ear and tapping away on it. No customer likes a hard, unripe melon so how can they tell if a particular melon is ripe? By knocking on it? Most people laugh at that method, but it does work. Tapping on a cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon or any other type melon is a clue for ripeness when it has a specific sound. A sound that is low, deep and heavy indicates ripeness, but an unripe melon will sound hollow.

Even though it’s still officially winter with spring only a week away, melons are always a good sales tonnage category to promote in an ad together. Since the offshore production out of Honduras is now peaking, there should be plenty of high-quality cantaloupes and honeydews readily available for some timely promotions.

Plan a nice attractive end cap or free-standing display of mixed cantaloupes, honeydews and watermelons. The small personal-size seedless watermelons have become very popular with consumers. The personal-size watermelons are easy to handle and store in the refrigerator.

Cantaloupes, honeydews and watermelons out of Central America — Honduras, Guatemala and some from Costa Rica — are in good supply. The size 12s and 15s are heavy. Demand is moderate and the market is steady.

Watermelons may be a little light out of Mexico and the offshore areas. Mexico also has a lighter supply of honeydews.

Connect with your melon suppliers to obtain the most updated information on supply availability, sizes, quality and prices. If they suit your needs, promote them while the timing is favorable and boost those sales.

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].