Hondura melons are expected to show a 9% year-on-year rise in export values to US$60 million, with volumes exceeding the previous harvest despite floods in Choluteca, website Laprensa.hn reported.

Exporters are upbeat about international market prices which they say this season are oscillating between US$0.18-0.19 per kilogram.

This season's shipments are expected to show a 3% year-on-year rise reaching 300,000 metric tons (MT) despite difficult weather conditions.

Exporters Hondex and Agrolíbano said melon cultivation this season has been phased because there were parts of Choluteca still flooded in early December, forcing them to prepare the soil gradually.

Honduras has a strong foothold in the U.S. market with their cantaloupe varieties, while their galia and honeydew melons are exported to Europe.

Between 60-70% of all melon exports go to the U.S. Melons are the country's seventh-largest income generator behind coffee, bananas, palm oil, shrimps, tilapia fish and sugar.

Related story: Heavy rains in Honduras delays melon planting

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