Kandy land

I just visited with Steve Martori, president of Martori Farms, Scottsdale, Ariz, about Arizona's new immigration enforcement law for some coverage in The Packer. While I had him on the phone, I asked him about the melon deal so far this year.

He noted the melon season has seen a strong market until recently. Arizona volume is winding down, while California's central valley harvest should provide ample supply for the foreseeable future. However, he noted the first surge in California volume has abated and hot weather - reportedly close to 107 degrees in Fresno today - could have an unpredictable impact on volume.

Martori Farms has moved into organic melons in a big way, with about 600 acres in production this year. With the economies of scale, Martori said the company has been able to price organic melons at much closer to conventional pricing than might be typical.

"If you look at organics in general, they are 33% higher to 100% higher and we are able to keep it somewhat lower than that, so we are very optimistic," he said.

He said the company may have close to 2,000 acres of organic melons next year. About 900 acres of melons are being grown as transition melons this year, beyond the 600 acres certified organic.