Ministry seeks data on watermelon surpluses, announces aid to producers

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management has requested watermelon producers to submit a list with data on potential market surpluses and available quantities.

Based on this data, as announced by that government department, the actual situation will be reviewed and, in accordance with legal possibilities, activities will be undertaken to resolve the problem as soon as possible.

The Ministry stated that they learned from the media about the problems faced by watermelon producers, primarily in the Malesia area, due to the difficult marketing of this year's production.

"Immediately after learning about the situation, contact was established with representatives of producers and their associations, although to date the Ministry has not received an official and unified request with data on market surpluses. At the initiative of the Ministry, producers were asked to submit a list with data on potential market surpluses and available quantities, and it is expected that this list will be submitted today by the end of working hours. Based on this data, the Ministry will review the actual situation and, in accordance with legal possibilities, take activities to resolve the problem as soon as possible," it was announced.

They add that, according to the information currently available to the Ministry, this is primarily a market disruption caused by the simultaneous arrival of large quantities of watermelon and the saturation of the regional market, where Montenegrin producers have placed market surpluses in previous years.

"Changed climatic conditions and the expansion of areas suitable for watermelon cultivation have led to increased production in a number of countries in the region, which has further limited export opportunities precisely during the period of highest supply, making it more difficult to market this product. Within its competence, the Ministry primarily has a mediatory role and is ready, in cooperation with producers, retail chains, distributors, the tourism industry and potential exporters, to assist in finding opportunities for additional marketing of domestic watermelon."

The Ministry announced that the Agrobudget also provides for certain measures that can be applied in the event of a serious market disruption, including the possibility of interventions with market surpluses.

"However, before making any decision, it is necessary to have reliable data on the scope of the problem and the quantities that need to be disposed of. The Ministry expects that the producers, at its initiative, will submit the requested list by the end of working hours today, so that possible solutions can be considered without delay. The Ministry will, in accordance with its competences and legal possibilities, make maximum efforts to resolve this problem as soon as possible," the statement reads.