COOL WEATHER IN PRIME REGION WILL DELAY MELON CROPS

MINA WILLIAMS

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY, Calif. (FNS) -- Unseasonably cool temperatures in this prime growing region will delay melon crops and could disrupt supplies, according to growers.

Of most significance to retailers is the strong possibility that the availability of melons will be affected adversely for the Fourth of July weekend, which typically represents a huge chunk of watermelon sales for supermarkets and thus is a prime time to promote melons and anticipate high-volume sales. This will put pressure on other growing areas to plug up the holes in supply.

The West Coast growing area of San Joaquin Valley in particular is expected to offer limited supplies during the time between when the desert areas are clearing up toward the end of June, and when the Bakersfield pick is expected to begin, right after the Fourth of July holiday.

Temperatures in the San Joaquin Valley have hovered in the low 70s, with mid-60s also being reported over the past few weeks. This has hampered planting and growing schedules of most of the melon crops in the region.

These unseasonably low temperatures have also affected stone fruit crops, delaying harvesting two weeks or more, growers told SN.

"There will be no bumper crops this year," said Michael Aiton, senior vice president, Sun World Intl., Coachella, Calif., a supplier of fresh melons and fruit with operations in the area.

"Every crop has been disrupted this year. For melons, there will be a slight gap and mini peaks and valleys because of planting schedules," Aiton said.

Growers added, however, that disruptions are likely to be temporary and affect the start of the deal.

"Seedless watermelons have had a lot of interest and the activity is staggering," he said. "While this crop will be slow coming to market, it then should be in good supply, over three months."

Growers also said that product should be available from other growing areas in Arizona, Texas and Florida to help cover shortages as California availability dips.