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U.S. WATERMELON PRODUCTION REACHED 3.7 BILLION POUNDS IN 2024, WITH FLORIDA LEADING OUTPUT
Jul. 30, 2025
Source: USDA news release
Watermelon is a popular fresh fruit choice, reaching peak availability in time for summer barbecues. In 2024, it ranked third in U.S. fresh fruit per capita availability--behind only bananas and apples. At nearly 15 pounds available per person, watermelon's availability is double the share of every other melon variety combined.
Watermelon's popularity is supported by strong domestic production, spanning more than 100,000 acres across the country. In 2024, the United States produced 3.7 billion pounds of watermelons, with Florida leading the Nation and accounting for almost one-quarter (912 million pounds) of total U.S. output. Georgia, California, and Texas collectively harvested an additional 45 percent of production last year.
As a warm-season crop, watermelon cultivation in the United States begins in the spring and ends in the early fall, with shipments typically peaking around July. To supplement year-round availability, fresh watermelon is also imported, with imports reaching seasonal highs in May and rising again in October as the domestic season winds down. In 2024, imports totaled 1.78 billion pounds, representing 35 percent of domestic supply.
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