Costa Rica Melon Growers
Lose An Additional 5% of
Their Harvest Due To
Early Rains
Heavy rainfall during
the last two weeks
affected an additional
5% of the melon
production in Guanacaste.
Growers lost already 35%
of their crop (about
77,000 tons) of the
projected harvest for
this year. This
reduction was the result
of an unexpected rainy
season since December
2007. Excessive humidity
generated more diseases
and hampered ripening.
The last rains affected
11,000 tons. Growers
cultivated this year a
total of 9,600 hectares
and expected 220,000
tons, but with the
current conditions the
total crop has been
estimated at 132,000
tons.
Eliécer Araya, president
at the National Chamber
of Producer/Exporters of
Melon, declared that the
situation is a huge
concern for producers.
Melons prefer a dry
climate and are very
sensitive to humidity.
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