by RYAN MILEJCZAK
Sponsored by Farm Credit of Central Florida
Even though citrus might be the first crop that comes to your mind when you think of Florida, it’s far from our only specialty. In fact, Florida is the largest producer of watermelons in the United States, with about 30% of the nation’s supply coming from right here in the Sunshine State.
Like all melons, the watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, otherwise known as the gourd or cucurbit family. Besides melons, the family features squash, cucumber, pumpkins, and even the luffa. (Yes, that’s right. Luffa sponges come from a type of gourd!) And watermelon’s fruit is technically a type of berry, known as a “pepo.”
Watermelons originated in Africa, and were most likely bred from a species of Sudanese melon called a Kordofan melon. They have been cultivated since ancient times, and originally had little to no sweetness and were utilized instead as a source of hydration. Over time, they were bred to become the sweet, juicy red fruit we enjoy today. And like many fruits and vegetables in the United States, they first arrived on American shores right here in Florida in the late 1500s, and they’ve been grown here ever since.
Today, the most common varieties grown and eaten in the US are seedless varieties, which were first developed in Japan in 1939. However, due to initially poor disease resistance, they didn’t become popular until more robust varieties were developed, growing in popularity in the 90s. By 2014, 85% of US watermelon sales were seedless varieties.
It should come as no surprise, then, that the majority of watermelon varieties grown in Florida are seedless varieties, such as Captivation, Crunchy Red, Sugar Fresh, and the delightfully named Joy Ride. But, seeded varieties are grown as well, such as Estrella, Mardi Gras, and Stargazer.
Part of the reason watermelons are cultivated so extensively in our state is due to the climate. Our state provides plenty of heat, long growing seasons, mild winters, high humidity, and plenty of sunlight, which all combines to ensure that watermelons thrive. In fact, we’re the only state with the right climate to supply the nation with watermelons between December and April. In total, Watermelons account for about 13% of our state’s total fruit and vegetable production.
Watermelon is grown throughout the state, but it’s especially concentrated in the north and north central region in counties like Levy, Gilchrist, Marion, and Alachua, among others. However, you can also find them grown in the north and south of the state. Southern growers, in particular, have the advantage of being first to market with their melons.
As of 2024 numbers, there are 26,000 acres of watermelon cultivated in Florida, yielding 9,123.5 cwt. This represents a value of $198,295,000, making it a significant contributor to the Florida economy.
While still a thriving part of our economy, watermelon production has declined slightly in recent years. Since 2022, the total area of watermelon planted in Florida has declined by about 3,000 acres, while the value of utilized production is down by more than $33 million. Much of this reduction is due to development pressures, pests, and hurricane impacts.
Thankfully, our watermelon industry remains strong. Some growers told Central Florida Ag News in June that 2025 has been an especially good season, though no numbers are available just yet. So rest assured that your favorite summer treat isn’t going anywhere soon. And the next time you’re trying to beat the heat, there’s no better choice than a Florida fresh watermelon.