Domestic watermelon production was down in 2021, though imports from other countries like Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras rose.
Domestic production totaled 3.37 billion pounds last year, a decrease of 2% from 2020. This was mostly attributed to a 7% decrease in Georgia production because of a cooler spring and 35% decrease in Texas due to Winter Storm Uri.
Florida’s watermelon production increased 13% from the previous year.
Domestic watermelon production totaled 3.37 billion pounds in 2021, compared to 3.43 billion in 2020 and 3.57 billion in 2019.
Imports increased by 7.8% in 2021. This offset the slight drop in domestic production and applied downward pressure on average grower prices in 2021, which decreased 5%.
Watermelon imports for January 2022 were up 24% from the same month last year.
The United States’ export volumes rose by 4% compared to the previous year, with Canada accounting for 99% of the volume in 2021.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service
