Building momentum in the melon market is something we all have a stake in. To improve collaboration and look at what success looks like elsewhere, a group of growers, industry representatives and employees headed to Rijk Zwaan’s melon trial centre in Spain earlier in the year, as part of a three-year Hort Innovation Melon Industry Study Tours.

“We discussed a lot of the big differences in European markets during our stay, and we want to take the lessons learned in the fields and retail spaces there and apply them here as an industry,” said Lachlan Grierson, Rijk Zwaan’s Client Manager based in Western Australia.

“There are some exciting developments with new varieties of melons that we are working hard to bring to market - but that’s something our breeding and seed production teams have to work with nature’s timelines to make happen,” says Lachlan.

“These innovations include our new rockmelon Orali RZ, which offers a strong plant, creamy external colour, high Brix of 14+, and sound potential for holding ripe fruit in the field to enable concentrated harvesting,” says Lachlan.

Another highlight from the day included a new yellow-skinned honeydew with orange flesh, called Amberetta RZ (34-AM5002), which is now in Australia for trials.

“When you look at the size of Spain and consider that they are producing over 10,000 hectares of Piel de Sapo melon alone, with a whopping 92% market penetration for that variety, it's incredible," says Lachlan.

“There’s still a great deal of opportunity once we get the right messaging and retail experience.”

Melons have become a staple food in Spanish households over many generations. Production quality has meant consumers have come to rely on melons as their go-to throughout the season. However, the trip revealed opportunities for melon production beyond the field, with retail environments being a key area of interest.

Johnathon Davey, CEO of Melons Australia, led the study tour. “Branding and product development for melons in Spain is really exciting,” says Johnathon.

“How we bring those lessons into the Australian industry, where the relationship of the product to the consumer is clearly visible, and product placement is given genuine consideration and care - is key.

“Almost everything in Spain had a label and consumers could see the relationship between the grower and the product – it was clearly visible,” says Johnathon.

In Spain, melons are often sold whole, providing a range of shelf-life, retail efficiency and waste reduction benefits. Cut melons in the Australian market continue to face waste and staffing challenges, meaning melons are not always reaching consumers the way growers would hope.

The Rijk Zwaan team continues to work on innovation in their melon assortment, with some exciting new varieties on the horizon. The slow and steady work of high-quality breeding and selection continues as the industry works to bring insights from abroad and grow a thriving melon market, together.

For melon trials and queries, contact Lachlan Grierson or your local RZ representative.