FIREBAUGH, CA - With another great offshore melon season coming to an end, the Westside Produce and Classic Fruit Alliance is excited to kick off the domestic melon season in Arizona and California. With first picks out of Arizona expected next week, the team is gearing up for another great year.

“We are entering year 4 of our alliance together, providing year-round supplies of melons to our valued customers,” notes Garrett Patricio, President of Westside Produce, in a recent press release. “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.”

With offshore melons wrapping up, the alliance comments on yet another productive season. “We just completed a successful import season and have had excellent reviews from year-round program customers,” comments Tom Ferguson, VP of Sales at Classic Fruit.

“Although tariffs were an unexpected challenge, our customers fortunately worked with us in navigating these uncharted waters to close out our import season on a high note. We finish this season with having added watermelon to our winter offerings and are exploring them in future domestic seasons.”

With a strong finish to the offshore season, the alliance is excited to start the domestic season soon. “Our estimated start date in Yuma, Arizona, is May 19th with stable volumes expected by June 1st,” adds Patricio. “We then will transition to Firebaugh by July 1st where we plan to have sufficient acreage and volume to cover contract customers and also provide some market opportunities for regular day-to-day customers. In addition, we have new trial varieties planted in every block in Yuma and are also being planned out of California as we continue to seek the highest level of quality and flavor available.”

In terms of the expected market, the alliance comments on how markets and demand work hand in hand. “We continue to see a pattern of increased contracting of melons, which provides not only competitive pricing but also ensures coverage during lower volume periods,” adds Ferguson. “By planning with this in mind, it helps confirm our commitment to provide an uninterrupted supply of melons to our customers with year-round support.”

As they wrap up the import season and continue to prepare for the domestic season, the alliance also has begun preparations for the 2025/26 winter import season, keeping to their mission of providing melons 52 weeks a year!