"It has been an excellent year so far: The hope is that September will bring suitable temperatures to end the season in the best possible way," reports Maurizio Carbonini, sales manager of OP Mantuafruit, as he comments on the June and July melon market. "However, we cannot complain even with regard to how August has been so far, because it is natural for prices to settle and for demand to calm down over the course of the weeks, also due to the more massive departures for the summer holidays and momentary drops in temperatures. Not to mention that demand was very high in the days leading up to the August bank holiday (15 August)."
© Cristiano Riciputi | FreshPlaza.com
Op Mantuafruit invested in more land in 2025, exceeding one thousand hectares of melon crops. "This has allowed us to meet all requests both in Italy and abroad without any particular problems. When planning, there is always a quota of unknown circumstances that can cause problems, but luckily, everything has gone according to plan so far."
© Cristiano Riciputi | FreshPlaza.comMaurizio Carbonini
"Netted melons are the flagship product for the PO, though smooth melons are also gaining ground and now represent 20% of our total melon offering. On the brand front, the PGI mark already gave us great satisfaction last year, and I confirm the growth this year, too. The Melone Mantovano PGI brand is well regarded and appreciated by the big retail trade and the markets, because they have excellent feedback from end consumers."
If the weather does not give any particular problems, Op Mantuafruit will have melons available until late September/early October, thanks to the later transplants.
© FRANCESCON
On the watermelon front, in addition to the well-known and appreciated Perla Nera, "we are getting very positive feedback for our Esmeralda mini watermelons, which were introduced in 2025. It is a product in which we believed a lot and which has allowed us to position ourselves in an already crowded big retail assortment, thanks to its characteristics and quality continuity. It is a mini-striped watermelon weighing between 2 and 3 kg, seedless, with an excellent taste, and which has met with consumer approval. In a market where traditional watermelons are encountering more and more problems every year, this type is in great demand," concludes Carbonini.
For more information
OP Mantuafruit
Via Retenago 13
46040 Rodigo (MN) - Italy
+39 0376 650727
[email protected]