Top 10 Watermelon Producing Countries In the World
Watermelon is a seasonal fruit that is available in summer in most areas of the world. Watermelon (Citrullus sp.), a tropical fruit, belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae. Watermelons (Citrullus lanatus) receives their name because of their extremely high water content, approximately 92 per cent. Watermelon is supposed to have originated in the Kalahari region of Africa (Botswana, Namibia and South Africa) or northeastern Africa. The first recorded watermelon harvest occurred nearly 5,000 years ago in Egypt and is depicted in Egyptian hieroglyphics. From there, watermelons circulate throughout countries along the Mediterranean Sea by way of merchant ships. It spread to Europe and the Near East and was then brought to India. It then went to China via India sometime between the 10th and 12th centuries. From China, it spread to Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, Australia, Japan and Taiwan. Later on, it was introduced in America with the conquest of the New World. Besides water, it is full of nutrients, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B6, lycopene, antioxidants, and amino acids.
Over 1,200 varieties of watermelon are grown worldwide including the Sugar baby, Sangria, Starlight, Jubilee, Starbrite, and many more. The 4 main categories are seeded, seedless, icebox, and yellow/orange. Over 96 countries worldwide grow melons. Worldwide 117,204,081 tonnes of watermelon is produced per year. At present, Asia is the continent with a larger watermelon production, more than 80% of the worldwide production. The main producer is China, producing 60% of the total production. The top 3 countries maintain a 68.2 % share while the ten largest countries some 81.6 %. Africa, Europe and North America have similar productions, around 3-4 million annual tons. Concerning exports, Mexico, Spain, Greece, the United States and Hungary are the main countries, with more than 100,000 annual tons. Americans consume more watermelons than any other country.
Watermelon production in Mexico has reached around 1.4 million metric tons. Sonora contributed 38% of total production and a production value of 2,049 million pesos, which represented 41.6% of the total national value. Followed by Jalisco with a production of 9.8%, Chihuahua which registered a 9.5% share, and Veracruz, with 101,645 tons. The main buyers of Mexican watermelons are the United States, Japan and Canada. Mexico export watermelons to the United States with sales of more than 149,758,000 dollars.
Over 100,000 acres of watermelons were grown in the US, producing 38 million pounds. Watermelons are grown across the U.S. The top five states include Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, and Texas, producing approximately 69 per cent of all grown in the U.S. Florida surpasses all other States as the main supplier of U.S. watermelons, accounting for a total production of 907 million pounds, or 25 per cent of domestic supplies.
In terms of production, watermelon is one of the three top crops produced in the US, along with onions and head lettuce. About 24 percent of domestic consumption of watermelons comes from U.S. growers.
The production of watermelon in Uzbekistan was 1,232,460 tonnes in 2020. The country had an estimated 35,000 hectares under watermelon cultivation. Uzbekistan grows more than 50 types of melons. Uzbekistan sold 6,562 tonnes of watermelon, earning the nation US$2.96m. The main export destination for Uzbekistan's melons is European Union, Ukraine and Belarus. Three countries including Tajikistan, Russia and Kyrgyzstan accounted for 77% of all watermelon exports.
The production of watermelon in Russia was 1,785,277 tonnes. The country had approximately 121,103.00 hectares under watermelon cultivation. The main region in Russia that produces watermelons is Astrakhan. Russia's leading destinations for watermelon are Ukraine, Belarus, Panama, Peru and Lithuania. Russia shipped watermelon costing 4.09m USD.
Watermelon production reached 2,096 kt in Algeria. Algeria is the leading watermelon producer in Africa, contributing 1.6% to worldwide production,
The total watermelon production in Brazil was 2,278,186 tons. The country had an estimated 482,464.00 hectares under watermelon cultivation. The Northeast region stood out with 41 % of the planted area, corresponding to 34 % of the national production. The production of watermelons in Brazil amounted to approximately 1.54 billion Brazilian reals in 2019.
Most of Brazil's watermelons grown in Brazil are commercialized in the domestic market. The volume of watermelon sold by Brazil in 2020 was 862,776 tons. Brazil export watermelon to other countries from South America, such as Argentina and Chile. Brazil shipped 822,864 tonnes of watermelon. Brazil shipped watermelon valued at 351.14m USD.
The total watermelon production in India was 2,597,989 tons. In India, since the climate is mostly tropical, all seasons are suitable for watermelon cultivation. It can be grown all through India in places like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal and Rajasthan. There are different varieties of watermelon in India yielding a good harvest such as Vandana, Kiran, Sugar Baby, Watermelon Sultan, Improved Shipper, Madhubala, Arjun, etc.
The production of watermelon in Turkey was 45,180,592 tonnes. The country had approximately 1,337,920.00 hectares under watermelon cultivation. In Turkey, the fruit is mostly produced in Antalya’s Manavgat district. It hosts a watermelon festival every year. Watermelon produce is mostly consumed by the domestic market.
The quantity of watermelon shipped by Turkey in 2020 was 1,148,880 tonnes. Turkey shipped watermelon costing 201.78m USD. Turkey's top destinations for watermelon are Germany, Romania, Bulgaria, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia.
The production of watermelon in Iran was 22,278,256 tonnes. The country had approximately 876,336.00 hectares under watermelon cultivation. In Iran, watermelon is produced in the Hamadan province, and the production covers nearly 1.2% of the total area of this particular province.
Most of Iran's watermelon is exported to countries such as Iraq, Turkey, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Romania, Kenya, Georgia and Moldova. Iran sold 4,533,232 tonnes of watermelon. Iran exported watermelon with a value of 865.18m USD.
The production of watermelon in China was 63 million tonnes, with an annual output value of more than 2 trillion yuan. The country had approximately 236,649,088.00 hectares under watermelon cultivation. Watermelons are produced in almost all provinces. There are six melon production zones, and the northwest zone is known for Hami melon and Honeydew melon production. There are hundreds of cultivars adapted to different production regions.
Hami melon and Honeydew melon are mainly grown in open fields. With a planting area of 25,000 mu, Panggezhuang’s annual watermelon output reached 110,000 tons and yield 600 million yuan in revenue. The total output value of the watermelon industrial parks in the town is reached 1 billion yuan. China consumed over 70 million tons of watermelon last year. China exported 12,037,888 tonnes of watermelon. China sold watermelon valued at 10,351.87m USD. China's leading destinations for watermelon are Hong Kong, Vietnam, Macao, North Korea and the Philippines.
Over 1,200 varieties of watermelon are grown worldwide including the Sugar baby, Sangria, Starlight, Jubilee, Starbrite, and many more. The 4 main categories are seeded, seedless, icebox, and yellow/orange. Over 96 countries worldwide grow melons. Worldwide 117,204,081 tonnes of watermelon is produced per year. At present, Asia is the continent with a larger watermelon production, more than 80% of the worldwide production. The main producer is China, producing 60% of the total production. The top 3 countries maintain a 68.2 % share while the ten largest countries some 81.6 %. Africa, Europe and North America have similar productions, around 3-4 million annual tons. Concerning exports, Mexico, Spain, Greece, the United States and Hungary are the main countries, with more than 100,000 annual tons. Americans consume more watermelons than any other country.
Scroll through to see all Top 10 Watermelon Producing Countries In the World :-
10. Mexico :-
Watermelon production in Mexico has reached around 1.4 million metric tons. Sonora contributed 38% of total production and a production value of 2,049 million pesos, which represented 41.6% of the total national value. Followed by Jalisco with a production of 9.8%, Chihuahua which registered a 9.5% share, and Veracruz, with 101,645 tons. The main buyers of Mexican watermelons are the United States, Japan and Canada. Mexico export watermelons to the United States with sales of more than 149,758,000 dollars.
9. United States of America :-
Over 100,000 acres of watermelons were grown in the US, producing 38 million pounds. Watermelons are grown across the U.S. The top five states include Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, and Texas, producing approximately 69 per cent of all grown in the U.S. Florida surpasses all other States as the main supplier of U.S. watermelons, accounting for a total production of 907 million pounds, or 25 per cent of domestic supplies.
In terms of production, watermelon is one of the three top crops produced in the US, along with onions and head lettuce. About 24 percent of domestic consumption of watermelons comes from U.S. growers.
8. Uzbekistan :-
The production of watermelon in Uzbekistan was 1,232,460 tonnes in 2020. The country had an estimated 35,000 hectares under watermelon cultivation. Uzbekistan grows more than 50 types of melons. Uzbekistan sold 6,562 tonnes of watermelon, earning the nation US$2.96m. The main export destination for Uzbekistan's melons is European Union, Ukraine and Belarus. Three countries including Tajikistan, Russia and Kyrgyzstan accounted for 77% of all watermelon exports.
7. Russia :-
The production of watermelon in Russia was 1,785,277 tonnes. The country had approximately 121,103.00 hectares under watermelon cultivation. The main region in Russia that produces watermelons is Astrakhan. Russia's leading destinations for watermelon are Ukraine, Belarus, Panama, Peru and Lithuania. Russia shipped watermelon costing 4.09m USD.
6. Algeria :-
Watermelon production reached 2,096 kt in Algeria. Algeria is the leading watermelon producer in Africa, contributing 1.6% to worldwide production,
5. Brazil :-
The total watermelon production in Brazil was 2,278,186 tons. The country had an estimated 482,464.00 hectares under watermelon cultivation. The Northeast region stood out with 41 % of the planted area, corresponding to 34 % of the national production. The production of watermelons in Brazil amounted to approximately 1.54 billion Brazilian reals in 2019.
Most of Brazil's watermelons grown in Brazil are commercialized in the domestic market. The volume of watermelon sold by Brazil in 2020 was 862,776 tons. Brazil export watermelon to other countries from South America, such as Argentina and Chile. Brazil shipped 822,864 tonnes of watermelon. Brazil shipped watermelon valued at 351.14m USD.
4. India :-
The total watermelon production in India was 2,597,989 tons. In India, since the climate is mostly tropical, all seasons are suitable for watermelon cultivation. It can be grown all through India in places like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal and Rajasthan. There are different varieties of watermelon in India yielding a good harvest such as Vandana, Kiran, Sugar Baby, Watermelon Sultan, Improved Shipper, Madhubala, Arjun, etc.
3. Turkey :-
The production of watermelon in Turkey was 45,180,592 tonnes. The country had approximately 1,337,920.00 hectares under watermelon cultivation. In Turkey, the fruit is mostly produced in Antalya’s Manavgat district. It hosts a watermelon festival every year. Watermelon produce is mostly consumed by the domestic market.
The quantity of watermelon shipped by Turkey in 2020 was 1,148,880 tonnes. Turkey shipped watermelon costing 201.78m USD. Turkey's top destinations for watermelon are Germany, Romania, Bulgaria, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia.
2. Iran :-
The production of watermelon in Iran was 22,278,256 tonnes. The country had approximately 876,336.00 hectares under watermelon cultivation. In Iran, watermelon is produced in the Hamadan province, and the production covers nearly 1.2% of the total area of this particular province.
Most of Iran's watermelon is exported to countries such as Iraq, Turkey, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Romania, Kenya, Georgia and Moldova. Iran sold 4,533,232 tonnes of watermelon. Iran exported watermelon with a value of 865.18m USD.
1. China :-
The production of watermelon in China was 63 million tonnes, with an annual output value of more than 2 trillion yuan. The country had approximately 236,649,088.00 hectares under watermelon cultivation. Watermelons are produced in almost all provinces. There are six melon production zones, and the northwest zone is known for Hami melon and Honeydew melon production. There are hundreds of cultivars adapted to different production regions.
Hami melon and Honeydew melon are mainly grown in open fields. With a planting area of 25,000 mu, Panggezhuang’s annual watermelon output reached 110,000 tons and yield 600 million yuan in revenue. The total output value of the watermelon industrial parks in the town is reached 1 billion yuan. China consumed over 70 million tons of watermelon last year. China exported 12,037,888 tonnes of watermelon. China sold watermelon valued at 10,351.87m USD. China's leading destinations for watermelon are Hong Kong, Vietnam, Macao, North Korea and the Philippines.
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