Melon harvest begins in RN and CE

The main melon harvest in Rio Grande do Norte/Ceará began this month, however, according to Hortifruti/Cepea employees, the harvest pace is slower, due to market uncertainties generated by the Covid-19 pandemic. It is worth noting that the greater occurrence of rain in the Potiguar/Cearense square this year also reflected in the delay in planting by some producers – those who started activities in mid-May, for example, had to take extra care to control fungal diseases and bacterioses , which, added to the strong dollar, increased production costs. 

Even so, melon growers are optimistic about the return of exports, which represent 80% of sales in RN/CE. According to Hortifruti/Cepea employees, Brazilian exporters are betting on a faster recovery in the markets of the main importing countries in the coming months, especially in Europe, where the containment of the new coronavirus appears to be more advanced.