By Clint Thompson
Watermelon acreage in the Suwanee Valley Region of North Florida could see a reduction in 2026. According to one industry expert, it needs to decrease. Reduced acres could benefit the industry in North Florida and South Georgia.
Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, talked about watermelon acreage a couple of weeks ahead of the annual Suwanee Valley Watermelon Institute scheduled for Dec. 4 in Fanning Springs, Florida.
“It’s a little bit early to tell any final things, but I do think that generally the industry, the growers understand that this really high acreage, not just in Florida but all the way up the east coast, is not helping them,” Hochmuth said. “I think, and in a weird way, I hope that we do get somewhat of a reduction in acreage. I think that what we’ve had in Georgia and North Florida the last two years is probably unsustainable at that time of the year. In other words, the market around Memorial Day or in May, is just not that huge of a window to be able to move the kind of product that you get out of these high acreage years.
“I am hearing some rumblings that there might be some reduction in acreage.”
2025 Acreage
North Florida watermelon acreage reached about 10,000 acres last year, a substantial increase from about 7,000 acres just two years ago.
Part of the issue that is impacting the watermelon industry are the current low market prices growers are receiving for row crops like cotton, peanuts and corn. Growers have searched for viable alternatives, with watermelons being an attractive option.
“That has been part of what has been driving this increase in acreage in Georgia and North Florida,” Hochmuth added.