Nunhems®: watermelons, a high profit-making crop

Bayer is developing new triploid varieties – in colloquial terms, seedless – and high value pollinators that are already in high demand by European consumers.
In its determination to attain more profitability, Bayer has new high added value pollinators which are also generating demand on the export markets. A good example is Frilly F1*, with a perfect calibre for the individual consumer segment, which has already spawned great interest in the large retail chains as it adapts to European tastes. Within the new pollinators, NUN 11203 WMW F1* also stands out. It is a striped watermelon with micro-seeds that follows the line created by F1, but which offers slightly larger sizes and a clearly commercial calling to cover any destination, both in Spain and abroad.
In the triploid watermelon range, there are important new developments that are characterised by their flavour, excellent internal and external appearance, firm, sweet flesh and intense colours. In this segment, the Nunhems® brand name has an innovative concept that offers calibres between 5 and 7 kgs per piece. SunGem F1* and StarGem F1* are opening up this new concept and they are easy to see at the end point of sale due to their darker outer colour, to which is added an attractive interior appearance and a satisfactory experience in the mouth due to their high sugar concentration. Both varieties have a double functionality, since they are suitable for both the home market and for export.
In black triploid watermelon, aimed at the home market, Stellar F1 and Style F1 have been consolidated, leading the greenhouse and open air cultivation respectively. In Almeria, Stellar F1 has become a reference when looking for a flavourful watermelon, which also offers good plant behaviour and an excellent consistence.
“In recent years, we have managed to change watermelons from being a residual crop and to create a consumer habit in countries where this fruit had no credibility”, Juan Sastre, Watermelon Crop Sales Manager from Bayer for Europe and the Middle East explains.