Locally grown muskmelons already in markets

The first batches of locally grown muskmelons are available for purchase in the markets. The sellers claim that their merchandise comes from the southern hills of Moldova, in Stefan Voda, and that they contain no nitrates. There also sellers who admit that they sell melons imported from Ukraine, from the Herson region. Contacted by Info-Prim Neo, Vasile Hachi, a producer from Bacioi, municipality of Chisinau, says that he can already savor the muskmelons’ sweetness. He claims that the early-grown fruit started maturing about 4-5 ago, but it is still too early to tell whether he will be able to recover this year’s investments or not. Head of the Agricultural Association “Bebei-Prim” Ltd Vasile Mihalache, from Volintiri, Stefan Voda district, said that he has no grown melons as of yet, but he is expecting to harvest up to 200 tons. “The plants grow naturally, without any additives”, the farmer says. Sergiu Luchian, a producer from Cuizauca village, Rezina district, says that he will be able to make an estimate of this year’s harvest only at least a week from now. According to the farmer, the heat and drought left their marks on the quality of the products. The fruit will be smaller and less sweet. The most common sort of muskmelon for Moldova is Roxolano. The price per kilo of muskmelons varies between 15 and 20 lei on the market, and the watermelons sell for 12 lei per kilo.