WASHINGTON: New data from the Department of Agriculture shows the majority of watermelons consumed in the U.S. are produced domestically, but imports are growing rapidly. USDA says watermelon imports accounted for 1.5 billion pounds, or a third of domestic use in 2015, up from 11 percent in 2000 and seven percent in 1990. Part of the increase in imports can be attributed to the decline watermelon acreage in the United States.
USDA says watermelon acreage has dropped near 50 percent in the last 25 years. However, increases in productivity from a greater use of irrigation and improved varieties helped keep annual production levels regularly above 3.5 billion pounds. U.S. watermelon consumption was estimated at 4.9 billion pounds in 2015. Watermelons can be grown in most parts of the United States, but do best in the South due to long growing seasons and consistently warm temperatures. Florida, Texas, California, Georgia and South Carolina accounted for 70 percent of U.S. production last year.
