Watermelon remains a leading fresh fruit in the United States, reaching peak availability during the summer barbecue season. In 2024, it ranked third in per capita availability behind bananas and apples. At nearly 15 pounds per person, watermelon's share was double that of all other melon varieties combined.
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Strong domestic production supports this popularity, with more than 100,000 acres cultivated nationwide. In 2024, U.S. production reached 3.7 billion pounds. Florida led output with 912 million pounds, or nearly one-quarter of the total. Georgia, California, and Texas together accounted for an additional 45 per cent of production.
As a warm-season crop, watermelon planting begins in spring and concludes in early fall, with shipments typically peaking in July. To maintain a year-round supply, imports supplement domestic production. In 2024, imports totaled 1.78 billion pounds, 35 per cent of total U.S. supply, peaking in May and rising again in October as the domestic season winds down.
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