Texas watermelon growers reported good yields and excellent quality, but market prices are not so sweet going into the peak season, said Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts.
Juan Anciso, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension horticulture program leader and associate head of the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences, Weslaco, said conditions were great for watermelon production this season. However, prices have been much lower than previous years as harvest continues in the Rio Grande Valley and ramps up in other parts of the state.
Anciso said bumper watermelon harvests in Florida have led to oversupply with harvest about to get underway in Georgia. Prices for growers were slightly better earlier in the season but have cooled as more harvests ramped up.
The market typically peaks around the Fourth of July as families prepare for holiday festivities.
“Prices are probably the lowest I’ve seen in many years,” he said. “Yields have been well above normal everywhere. That’s not good news for producers, but consumers should be finding high quality, sweet watermelons and value.”
Poor prices, ideal growing conditions
Anciso said wholesale watermelon prices were around 18-22 cents per pound at this time last year compared to 14-18 cents per pound this year. By comparison, Texas producers were seeing more than 30 cents per pound at wholesale during the 2023 season.
Producers in the Rio Grande Valley typically reach yields of 50,000 pounds per acre on average, Anciso said.
At the retail level, he said a $6 watermelon last year would be around $5 this year.
Aside from poor prices, Anciso said growing conditions in the Rio Grande Valley have been ideal for watermelons. Areas received timely rains, but warm temperatures and dry conditions have led to few pest and disease issues and high brix counts. Brix are the fruit’s sugar content measurement.
Larry Stein, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension horticulture specialist, Uvalde, said watermelon season in the Winter Garden region was similar but started a little slower than usual due to erratic weather.
Stein said fruit sets and initial “picks” have produced good yields and high quality. There were some indications of lower fruit sets in some areas, possibly due to poor pollination or high winds tangling young vines.
“Quality has been exceptional,” he said. “Plants didn’t want to grow, maybe because of the crazy weather, but they have come on strong, and pest problems have been minimal.”
Tough year for profitability
Most Texas watermelon acres are for commercial production that serves grocery stores around the state and region. Some producers, especially on smaller scales, provide watermelons for roadside sellers and fruit and vegetable stands and/or sell directly to consumers.
While prices have dipped, Anciso said input costs like labor, plastic mulch for weed control and drip irrigation were 30% higher than in recent years. Farms have found success with consistent and efficient workers through the H2A program but at a higher cost than local harvesters.
Increased costs and lower prices could make the 2025 season difficult to find profits, which could influence Texas watermelon acres next season, he said.
“This season will be a tough one to break even,” Anciso said. “The season shaped up well for growers who had few issues and are seeing good, quality watermelons. But the markets really determine profitability in the produce business.”
Panhandle
Average daytime temperatures were noticeably higher. Soil moisture levels were adequate. Wheat and triticale harvests continued at a strong pace as small grain crops continued to mature. Ground and weather conditions were good for planting sorghum, sunflowers and other later-planted, warm-season crops. Conditions were also favorable for harvest of any cool-season oilseed crops such as camelina and canola. Randall County experienced a major hailstorm with many crops severely damaged and some considered a total loss. Some producers will replant with sorghum or haygrazer. No cotton will be replanted as the timing window has passed. Pasture and range conditions were fair to good.
