Melon shortage warning

EATING watermelon and melon has become almost a luxury as prices have started to soar, even tripling in price.

The refreshing summer fruit has seen its price multiply in supermarkets. Melon crops were affected as a result of the effects of hail and heavy rains that fell in the months of May and June.

The lack of supply has seen a soar in prices, which is expected to continue until the end of July, when more crops will be ready.

Some farms saw between 50 per cent and 60 per cent of the melon and watermelon crops that were scheduled to be harvested between the second half of

June and the first half of July lost. In the Guadalentín valley, Murcia, one of the most important producing areas, the rain and hail left nearly 4,000 hectares destroyed. Next week, as harvesting begins again, melons from the central region of Castilla ­ La Mancha will also be ready, which means better supplies until September.