Alimer and Agroter, Anecoop’s partner entities in the Region and integrated into the Bouquet seedless watermelon program, produce 70,000 tons per year
The Region of Murcia constitutes one of the richest and most varied agricultural areas of open-air cultivation in Spain. At this time of year, summer fruits are the main protagonists in the Murcian offer, highlighting among them the summer product par excellence: the watermelon.
Three decades ago, although it was commonly consumed in Spain, in the rest of the European countries the watermelon with seeds only had a certain popularity among some ethnic minorities. It was considered an uncomfortable fruit to eat, due to the presence of black seeds. In the 1980s, some research was already showing interesting results in the line of ‘seedless’ watermelons, with small, white, soft seeds that were barely noticeable when eaten.
The agri-food cooperative Anecoop decided to bet on this product, seeing an opportunity to offer the market an attractive novelty, and its farming partners a profitable alternative that would allow them to diversify and complement their productions for other periods of the year.
The starting point for the first plantations was in Almería, in greenhouse production by one of its partners in the area. Thanks to careful planning, the design of a production and marketing program, in addition to the implementation of an image campaign and the creation of a brand, the Bouquet seedless watermelon program was born. A benchmark 30 years later, and a source of inspiration for companies that today also include this product category in their offer.
Almeria’s productions in April are followed by outdoor cultivation in Murcia, the Valencian Community and Castilla-La Mancha until October. Alimer and Agroter are Anecoop’s partner entities in the Region that are integrated into the Bouquet program. Between the two, they add up to around 70,000 tons of seedless watermelons, 45% of the total volume planned by the second-tier cooperative for this year in all its production areas.
30 years ago… and now
From the 5,500 tons sold in 1993 in nine countries, Anecoop has gone on to sell 148,500 tons in 2021 in 27 countries. From a single type of watermelon, the striped red, it has come to have a range that includes the striped one with yellow flesh, the mini, and the black one with red flesh, both in conventional and organic farming.
And it is that the reality of the star fruit of the summer changed forever 30 years ago and with it, the attractiveness and the possibilities of its enjoyment throughout Europe, constituting for Anecoop one of its most important lines of work in support of a 100% national.
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