Watermelon

Overview

Production

Cultivation

Health Benefits

What is Watermelon?

Watermelon is a fruit that belongs to the gourd family, which includes other fruits like pumpkin, cucumber, and squash. Watermelon is a type of fruit that grows on a vine-like plant. It is native to Africa but is now widely cultivated in many parts of the world, particularly in warm, tropical, and subtropical regions.

The fruit is typically large and round or oblong, with a thick green rind that is smooth or slightly bumpy. The flesh inside is juicy, sweet, and refreshing, with a texture that ranges from crunchy to tender depending on the variety. Most watermelons contain black seeds, although seedless varieties are also available.

Watermelon is a low-calorie fruit that is rich in nutrients, particularly vitamins A and C, as well as potassium and several other minerals. It is also a good source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that may help to protect against certain types of cancer and other diseases.

Watermelon is often consumed fresh, sliced up into pieces and eaten as a snack or dessert, or used as an ingredient in salads, smoothies, and other dishes. The fruit can also be juiced or blended into a puree and used as a base for cocktails, mocktails, and other beverages. Additionally, the rind of the watermelon can be pickled or used to make preserves, and the seeds can be roasted and eaten as a snack.

Watermelon Production in the World

The global production of Watermelon plays a significant role in agriculture and trade. As of 2023, China is the top producer, contributing 63,821,304 tonnes, which accounts for 60.82% of the total global production. India ranks second, producing 3,626,000 tonnes, representing 3.46% of the world's output. Other significant producers include Turkiye, Algeria, and Brazil, with production levels of 3,147,921, 2,507,140, and 1,781,971 tonnes, respectively. Netherlands has the lowest production among the listed countries, contributing just 10 tonnes in 2023. In total, global production of Watermelon reached approximately 104,932,080 tonnes in 2023.

Top 10 Countries by Watermelon Production 2023

Countries Ranked by Watermelon Production in 2023

Source:FAOSTAT
Last Updated: 23 Jan 2025

Rank	Country	Production (Tonnes)	Acreage (Hectare)	Yield
1	China	63,821,304	1,488,028	42,890
2	India	3,626,000	126,000	28,778
3	Turkiye	3,147,921	64,070	49,133
4	Algeria	2,507,140	63,258	39,634
5	Brazil	1,781,971	80,833	22,045
6	Russia	1,770,123	97,334	18,186
7	United States	1,682,669	40,955	41,086
8	Uzbekistan	1,572,144	38,007	41,365
9	Pakistan	1,507,339	40,642	37,088
10	Senegal	1,492,962	90,938	16,417
11	Kazakhstan	1,435,333	53,252	26,954
12	Mexico	1,428,910	42,717	33,451
13	Iran	1,366,802	58,446	23,386
14	Vietnam	1,278,571	50,964	25,088
15	Spain	1,168,930	21,460	54,470
16	Egypt	1,000,421	30,217	33,108
17	Afghanistan	943,668	61,591	15,322
18	Tajikistan	838,255	24,686	33,957
19	Dominican Republic	828,480	2,453	337,744
20	Italy	751,570	15,170	49,543
21	Turkmenistan	613,569	28,571	21,475
22	Saudi Arabia	612,680	25,198	24,315
23	Kenya	489,700	11,413	42,907
24	Morocco	462,720	14,582	31,731
25	Tunisia	460,752	4,432	103,966
26	South Korea	459,554	11,092	41,430
27	Mali	416,173	28,609	14,547
28	Indonesia	408,115	31,458	12,973
29	Greece	396,460	6,430	61,658
30	Azerbaijan	351,023	12,549	27,972
31	Japan	303,088	8,979	33,756
32	Albania	281,354	5,848	48,112
33	Libya	232,448	19,493	11,925
34	Colombia	218,230	12,923	16,887
35	Ukraine	215,720	23,400	9,219
36	Kyrgyzstan	198,917	8,482	23,452
37	Syria	196,743	30,243	6,505
38	Iraq	192,862	8,775	21,979
39	Venezuela	179,451	8,194	21,901
40	Yemen	174,211	10,584	16,460
41	Sudan	173,572	37,653	4,610
42	Australia	171,946	3,937	43,674
43	Thailand	166,561	6,909	24,108
44	Niger	163,398	5,059	32,301
45	Serbia	160,959	5,229	30,782
46	Peru	160,065	4,933	32,451
47	Lao PDR	157,209	8,053	19,521
48	Zimbabwe	150,600	4,610	32,668
49	Romania	148,200	7,600	19,500
50	Taiwan	139,050	7,303	19,040
51	Guatemala	133,711	3,148	42,480
52	Argentina	125,674	9,024	13,927
53	Philippines	124,738	8,335	14,966
54	Hungary	124,700	2,880	43,299
55	North Macedonia	124,314	4,886	25,443
56	Malaysia	121,824	8,982	13,564
57	Paraguay	118,924	24,258	4,903
58	Armenia	116,653	3,985	29,273
59	Israel	108,049	4,683	23,074
60	Tanzania	102,738	13,757	7,468
61	Cameroon	94,224	4,525	20,821
62	North Korea	91,627	6,167	14,859
63	Jordan	90,055	1,520	59,247
64	Bulgaria	80,130	3,710	21,598
65	Ecuador	77,036	5,039	15,289
66	Honduras	68,173	1,220	55,865
67	South Africa	63,690	3,884	16,396
68	Costa Rica	63,240	2,817	22,449
69	Bolivia	60,973	4,406	13,840
70	Lebanon	57,200	1,132	50,530
71	El Salvador	48,923	2,230	21,939
72	Chile	48,064	2,939	16,354
73	Oman	41,445	1,070	38,745
74	Canada	36,283	836	43,401
75	Georgia	34,800	1,100	31,636
76	Cuba	34,319	2,189	15,680
77	Moldova	30,829	5,291	5,827
78	Guyana	30,357	264	115,128
79	Portugal	27,670	760	36,408
80	Croatia	26,440	920	28,739
81	France	23,510	930	25,280
82	Bosnia and Herzegovina	19,935	594	33,561
83	Jamaica	18,873	860	21,945
84	Montenegro	17,298	415	41,647
85	Panama	15,974	648	24,646
86	Botswana	15,791	129	122,726
87	Palestine	15,443	282	54,803
88	Cyprus	13,060	350	37,314
89	Uruguay	11,186	626	17,870
90	Fiji	8,161	680	12,000
91	Puerto Rico	6,584	332	19,853
92	Somalia	6,398	664	9,641
93	Poland	6,300	200	31,500
94	Namibia	3,571	322	11,087
95	Malta	3,420	-	-
96	Slovakia	3,340	80	41,750
97	Malawi	3,058	87	35,301
98	United Arab Emirates	2,580	89	28,890
99	Belize	2,545	102	24,951
100	Mauritania	2,519	4,772	528
101	Czech Republic	2,490	60	41,500
102	New Zealand	2,409	231	10,436
103	Austria	2,260	60	37,667
104	Suriname	1,460	75	19,340
105	French Polynesia	1,338	111	12,007
106	Kuwait	1,134	30	37,883
107	Qatar	1,090	55	19,818
108	Solomon Islands	1,059	75	14,181
109	Grenada	1,001	83	12,071
110	Cabo Verde	890	41	21,874
111	Bahrain	820	24	34,167
112	Trinidad and Tobago	681	174	3,914
113	Slovenia	680	20	34,000
114	New Caledonia	579	51	11,426
115	St. Lucia	510	14	36,429
116	Tonga	445	60	7,413
117	Brunei Darussalam	301	20	15,173
118	Dominica	281	22	12,986
119	Antigua and Barbuda	140	28	5,042
120	St. Kitts and Nevis	129	8	15,824
121	Djibouti	71	3	24,210
122	Cook Islands	65	3	19,614
123	Bhutan	45	8	5,929
124	Netherlands	10	-	-

Cultivation of Watermelon

Watermelon is a warm-season crop that is typically grown in areas with long, hot summers.

Here are the basic steps involved in cultivating watermelon:

Site selection: Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil. Watermelon plants require at least six to eight hours of sunlight per day and do best in soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8.
Planting: Watermelon seeds can be planted directly in the ground or started indoors and transplanted. Plant seeds about an inch deep and space them about six feet apart. Watermelon plants require plenty of room to spread out, so make sure to give them adequate space.
Irrigation: Watermelon plants require regular watering, especially during hot, dry weather. A drip irrigation system or soaker hose can be used to keep the soil moist without wetting the leaves, which can lead to disease.
Fertilization: Watermelon plants require regular fertilization to promote healthy growth and fruit development. A balanced fertilizer with a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) ratio of 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 can be applied every few weeks throughout the growing season.
Pest and disease management: Watermelon plants can be susceptible to a range of pests and diseases, including aphids, cucumber beetles, and powdery mildew. Organic and/or chemical control methods can be used to manage these issues.
Harvesting: Watermelon fruit is typically ready for harvest about 80-90 days after planting, depending on the variety. Look for a yellowish spot on the bottom of the fruit, which indicates that it is ripe. The fruit should also have a hollow sound when thumped.

Overall, watermelon cultivation requires a warm, sunny location, regular watering and fertilization, and careful pest and disease management. With proper care, watermelon plants can produce a bountiful harvest of sweet, juicy fruit.

Health Benefits of Watermelon

Watermelon not only provides a refreshing and sweet taste, but it also offers several health benefits. Here are some of the potential health benefits of consuming watermelon:

Hydration: Watermelon has a high water content, making it an excellent choice for staying hydrated. Proper hydration is essential for various bodily functions and can help maintain optimal physical and cognitive performance.
Nutrient-rich: Watermelon is a good source of vitamins and minerals. It contains vitamins A and C, which are antioxidants that help protect the body against cellular damage. Watermelon also provides potassium, which is crucial for maintaining proper heart and muscle function, as well as other minerals like magnesium and calcium.
Antioxidant properties: Watermelon contains lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that gives it its vibrant red color. Lycopene has been associated with various health benefits, including a reduced risk of certain types of cancers and cardiovascular diseases.
Heart health: The presence of lycopene, citrulline, and other beneficial compounds in watermelon may contribute to heart health. Lycopene helps lower cholesterol levels and reduce oxidative stress, while citrulline helps promote the production of nitric oxide, which helps relax and dilate blood vessels, leading to better blood flow and potentially lower blood pressure.
Hydration and exercise recovery: Due to its high water content and electrolyte composition, watermelon can be beneficial for rehydrating the body after physical activity or in hot weather. It also contains some natural sugars, which can provide a quick source of energy.
Eye health: Watermelon contains beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential for maintaining healthy eyes and good vision.
Weight management: Watermelon is low in calories and high in water and fiber content, which can help promote feelings of fullness and satiety. Including watermelon in a balanced diet can be a helpful addition to weight management or weight loss efforts.

It's worth noting that while watermelon offers several health benefits, it should be consumed as part of a balanced and varied diet. Individual nutritional needs may vary, so it's always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian for personalized dietary advice.

Nutritional Information of Watermelon

Watermelon is a delicious and refreshing fruit that is low in calories and contains a high water content. Here is the approximate nutritional composition of watermelon per 100 grams:

Calories: 30 kcal
Protein: 0.6 grams
Fat: 0.2 grams
Carbohydrates: 7.6 grams
Fiber: 0.4 grams
Sugar: 6.2 grams
Vitamin C: 8.1 milligrams (14% of the daily recommended intake)
Potassium: 112 milligrams
Magnesium: 10 milligrams
Water: Approximately 91%

It's important to note that these values are approximate and can vary depending on factors such as the variety and ripeness of the watermelon.

Regional Variety of Watermelon

Regional varieties of watermelon offer unique characteristics and are cherished for their specific uses. Here, we will explore a few noteworthy regional varieties and their associated applications:

Charleston Gray: This variety is renowned for its large size and elongated shape. Charleston Gray watermelons are commonly used for making refreshing fruit salads, juices, and smoothies due to their high water content and sweet flavor.
Sugar Baby: With their smaller size and thick, dark green rind, Sugar Baby watermelons are perfect for personal consumption or small gatherings. Their deep red, juicy flesh makes them ideal for enjoying as a healthy snack, adding to fruit skewers, or incorporating into fruit salads.
Crimson Sweet: Recognized for its medium size, striped dark green rind, and vibrant red flesh, Crimson Sweet watermelons are versatile in their uses. They are frequently enjoyed in various forms, including sliced for picnics, blended into refreshing beverages, or used in desserts like sorbets and popsicles.
Yellow Crimson: Standing out from the typical red-fleshed watermelons, Yellow Crimson varieties feature a golden-yellow interior. Their sweet and tropical flavor profile makes them a delightful addition to fruit platters, fruit salads, or even as a unique twist in fruit-infused water.
Moon and Stars: A visually striking variety, Moon and Stars watermelons showcase a dark green rind speckled with small yellow spots, resembling stars, while some fruits also exhibit a large, contrasting yellow "moon" patch. These heirloom watermelons are favored for their rich and sweet flavor, making them perfect for savoring fresh or incorporating into desserts.
Orangeglo: Known for its vibrant orange flesh, Orangeglo watermelons offer a delightful combination of sweetness and tanginess. Their unique flavor lends well to juicing, making sorbets, or using them as a colorful ingredient in fruit salads and salsas.
Jubilee: Jubilee watermelons are notable for their large size and excellent sweetness. Their crisp and juicy red flesh is often enjoyed sliced or diced for summer gatherings, picnics, and barbecues.
Icebox: Icebox watermelons, as the name suggests, are compact and perfectly sized for fitting into a refrigerator or cooler. They are favored for their convenience and are commonly enjoyed as personal-sized watermelons for quick snacks or for adding a refreshing twist to packed lunches.

Remember, these regional watermelon varieties offer unique flavors, textures, and appearances, allowing you to explore a diverse range of culinary possibilities. Embrace the abundance of options and savor the delightful flavors they bring to your table!

Structure of Watermelon Plant

The watermelon plant, scientifically known as Citrullus lanatus, is a sprawling vine belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. It possesses a unique growth pattern and structure, characterized as follows:

Stem: The watermelon plant boasts lengthy, slender, and trailing stems that can extend for several meters. These stems are covered in coarse, hairy surfaces with a slightly prickly texture.
Leaves: This plant features sizable leaves with a deep green hue. The leaves exhibit palmate lobes, meaning they have multiple divisions radiating from a central point, resembling the shape of a hand or fingers.
Tendrils: Watermelon plants produce coiled tendrils that emerge from the leaf axils. These thin and flexible structures aid the plant in climbing and supporting itself by latching onto nearby objects or structures.
Flowers: Watermelon plants bear separate male and female flowers on the same plant. These flowers are yellow and typically possess five petals. The male flowers possess long stalks, while the female flowers have a small, immature fruit attached at the base.
Fruit: Undoubtedly, the watermelon fruit takes center stage in this plant. It develops on lengthy, trailing vines and can vary in size and shape depending on the specific variety. The fruit is typically round or oval, with a smooth or striped green rind. Inside, it is juicy and sweet, with flesh that can range from red, pink, yellow, to white, depending on the particular cultivar.
Roots: The watermelon plant possesses a shallow root system that spreads horizontally near the soil's surface. These roots serve to anchor the plant and absorb water and nutrients from the soil.

All in all, the watermelon plant exhibits a sprawling growth pattern characterized by long stems, large lobed leaves, coiled tendrils, yellow flowers, and delectable fruits that grow along the vines.

Uses of Watermelon

Watermelon is a versatile fruit that can be used in many different ways.

Here are some of the most common uses of watermelon:

Eating fresh: Watermelon is often enjoyed fresh, sliced up into pieces, and eaten as a snack or dessert. It is particularly popular in the summertime when it is in season and can be served chilled for a refreshing treat.
Juicing and blending: Watermelon can be juiced or blended into a puree and used as a base for smoothies, cocktails, mocktails, and other beverages. This is a great way to enjoy the flavor and nutritional benefits of watermelon in a drinkable form.
Salads and salsas: Watermelon can be used as an ingredient in salads and salsas, either alone or combined with other fruits and vegetables. Its sweet and juicy flavor pairs well with ingredients like feta cheese, cucumber, mint, and lime.
Grilling: Watermelon can be grilled or roasted for a unique and flavorful twist on this fruit. Grilled watermelon can be served as a side dish or used as a topping for burgers, salads, or other dishes.
Preserves and pickles: The rind of the watermelon can be pickled or used to make preserves, chutneys, and other condiments. This is a great way to use up the entire fruit and reduce food waste.
Seeds: Watermelon seeds can be roasted and eaten as a snack or used as an ingredient in recipes like granola bars or trail mix. They are rich in nutrients like protein, healthy fats, and minerals.