As the offshore melon season ends, the Westside Produce and Classic Fruit Alliance have announced the kickoff of the domestic melon season in Arizona and California. “The team is gearing up for another great year with first picks out of Arizona expected next week,” both companies said in a release.
Patricio indicated the domestic season started in Yuma, AZ, on May 19th, with stable volumes starting June 1st.
“We are entering year 4 of our alliance together, providing year-round supplies of melons to our valued customers,” said Garrett Patricio, president of Westside Produce. “We have developed synergies as partners and satisfied our goal of being the one-stop shop for melons year-round. We will continue working together to make this goal a reality.”
Then, they will transition to Firebaugh by July 1st, “where we plan to have sufficient acreage and volume to cover contract customers and provide some market opportunities for regular customers. In addition, we have new trial varieties planted in every block in Yuma. We are also being planned out of California to seek the highest quality and flavor available.”
The allied companies said they have also begun preparations for the 2025/26 winter import season, fulfilling their mission of providing melons 52 weeks a year.
The main melon-producing states in the U.S. are California, Texas, Florida, and Arizona.
Pacific Trellis Fruit, home to the Dulcinea brand, introduced a new line of premium melons: Dulcinea Pure Perfection melons.
This collection of high-flavor, high-quality melons is designed to elevate the consumer eating experience with exceptional sweetness, texture and juiciness, according to a news release.
“We are enthusiastic to introduce the Pure Perfection line to our customers,” said Rob Markel, vice president of sales, melon division for Pacific Trellis Fruit. “These melons represent the pinnacle of flavor and quality, meeting the consumer demand for superior-tasting fruit that delivers an unforgettable eating experience.”
The Pure Perfection lineup will launch with three distinct varieties, available June through September:
- Pure Sweetness — An extra sweet cantaloupe-like variety celebrated for its incredibly juicy, soft, melt-in-your-mouth flavor.
- Pure Sunshine — A firm yet juicy honeydew-like melon offering a refreshing, smooth and sweet taste.
- Pure Crunch — An oblong Chinese Hami melon featuring a crisp, refreshing texture with hints of honey and pear.
- Beyond the launch of Pure Perfection melons, Pacific Trellis Fruit continues to offer a diverse and robust melon program. The company remains the innovator of the mini-seedless watermelon, PureHeart, and grows the full-size, seedless Sugar Daddy watermelon, both available in organic options. Other premium offerings include the Tuscan-style extra sweet cantaloupe and the SunnyGold yellow mini-seedless watermelon.
- The company ships its mini-seedless and full-size watermelons year round from growing regions in Mexico, Arizona, California and Idaho, with an offshore program in Guatemala. Seasonal melon programs include the Tuscan-style, extra sweet cantaloupe and the SunnyGold yellow, seedless mini watermelon. The Tuscans will begin shipping from Arizona in May and California in July, whereas the SunnyGold will start in May from Mexico, moving to Arizona in June and California in July. The Dulcinea program will have a steady melon supply throughout the summer months, ripe for promotional opportunities.
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