Watermelon/Cepea: In Goiás, problems with viral disease persist, supply decreases and prices increase.

Despite problems with viral diseases, the controlled availability of watermelon in Uruana (GO) ensured a recovery in prices this week (June 15-19). In the region, recurring problems with viral diseases have led producers to opt for plowing their fields, a condition that tends to limit the availability of the fruit. Thus, despite the weak demand due to the cold weather in the main consumer centers of the fruit – South and Southeast – the more restricted supply guaranteed an increase in prices. Therefore, large watermelons (>12 kg) were traded at R$ 0.93/kg, an increase of 22.20% compared to the previous week. Although the price recovery increased margins, losses in the field should also be considered, a condition that should put pressure on producers' incomes in the region.

For the following weeks, despite the still controlled supply trend in Goiás, the approaching end of the month may result in little variation in demand, limiting further price increases. At Ceagesp (São Paulo's wholesale market), the scenario was similar to that observed in the field. Despite weaker demand, the lower availability of the fruit has sustained the upward movement in prices. This week, large watermelons (>12 kg) were traded at an average of R$ 2.26/kg at the wholesale market, an increase of 11% compared to the previous week. However, for next week, the expectation is for a decline in prices. The end of the month, a period traditionally marked by lower purchasing power and reduced sales volume, coupled with milder temperatures in the main consumer centers of the South and Southeast regions, tends to limit demand for the fruit and put downward pressure on prices.