Watermelon prices not so sweet for Texas growers

Texas watermelon growers reported good yields and excellent quality, but market prices are not so sweet going into the peak season, said Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts.

Juan Anciso, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension horticulture program leader and associate head of the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences, Weslaco, said conditions were great for watermelon production this season. However, prices have been much lower than previous years as harvest continues in the Rio Grande Valley and ramps up in other parts of the state.

Anciso said bumper watermelon harvests in Florida have led to oversupply with harvest about to get underway in Georgia. Prices for growers were slightly better earlier in the season but have cooled as more harvests ramped up.

The market typically peaks around the Fourth of July as families prepare for holiday festivities.

“Prices are probably the lowest I’ve seen in many years,” he said. “Yields have been well above normal everywhere. That’s not good news for producers, but consumers should be finding high quality, sweet watermelons and value.”

Poor prices, ideal growing conditions

Anciso said wholesale watermelon prices were around 18-22 cents per pound at this time last year compared to 14-18 cents per pound this year. By comparison, Texas producers were seeing more than 30 cents per pound at wholesale during the 2023 season.

Producers in the Rio Grande Valley typically reach yields of 50,000 pounds per acre on average, Anciso said.

At the retail level, he said a $6 watermelon last year would be around $5 this year.

Aside from poor prices, Anciso said growing conditions in the Rio Grande Valley have been ideal for watermelons. Areas received timely rains, but warm temperatures and dry conditions have led to few pest and disease issues and high brix counts. Brix are the fruit’s sugar content measurement.

Larry Stein, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension horticulture specialist, Uvalde, said watermelon season in the Winter Garden region was similar but started a little slower than usual due to erratic weather.

Stein said fruit sets and initial “picks” have produced good yields and high quality. There were some indications of lower fruit sets in some areas, possibly due to poor pollination or high winds tangling young vines.

“Quality has been exceptional,” he said. “Plants didn’t want to grow, maybe because of the crazy weather, but they have come on strong, and pest problems have been minimal.”

Tough year for profitability

Most Texas watermelon acres are for commercial production that serves grocery stores around the state and region. Some producers, especially on smaller scales, provide watermelons for roadside sellers and fruit and vegetable stands and/or sell directly to consumers.

While prices have dipped, Anciso said input costs like labor, plastic mulch for weed control and drip irrigation were 30% higher than in recent years. Farms have found success with consistent and efficient workers through the H2A program but at a higher cost than local harvesters.

Increased costs and lower prices could make the 2025 season difficult to find profits, which could influence Texas watermelon acres next season, he said.

“This season will be a tough one to break even,” Anciso said. “The season shaped up well for growers who had few issues and are seeing good, quality watermelons. But the markets really determine profitability in the produce business.”

AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:

Central

Counties received significant rainfall of 1.5-7-plus inches, causing widespread flooding and saturated soils. Wet conditions limited field operations but dramatically improved drought conditions and filled stock tanks. The abundant moisture supported excellent pasture growth. Livestock were in good condition with strong cattle markets. Crops showed mixed results from the rain. Corn was performing well despite some flood damage and disease pressure. Cotton progress slowed due to excess moisture and pest issues, and grain sorghum was advancing well. Hay producers were three weeks behind schedule on cutting and baling. Wheat harvest delays caused quality concerns. Producers urgently needed dry weather to complete critical fieldwork while monitoring for fungal diseases in the persistently wet conditions.

Rolling Plains

Crops, pastures and livestock continued to benefit from the weather. Several counties reported rainfall with one receiving more than 3.5 inches. Wet conditions were causing fieldwork delays, including wheat harvesting and cotton planting, in some areas. Sorghum planting was expected to be late due to wet conditions. Wheat yields were average to above average, but grain conditions were declining with reports of smut and lodging. Row crop producers expect weed and pest issues to follow the rains. Pastures and rangelands looked good and continued to improve. Rain should also help planted haygrazer. Cattle were in good condition. There were reports of respiratory problems in stocker cattle, and sheep and goats needed deworming.

Coastal Bend

Widespread rainfall delivered 2.5-7 inches in some areas. Soils were saturated, limiting fieldwork. Most corn reached the dough stage. Rice was beginning to head, though maintaining levees has been a challenge for producers. Late-planted grain sorghum and cotton were expected to benefit from the moisture. Rangeland, pasture and hayfield conditions continued to improve, with some rated as excellent. Hay production slowed due to wet conditions, but yields were good where cut. Livestock were in good condition and finding ample forage.

Southeast

Heavy rains left many areas very saturated, and some counties reported widespread flooding. There were reports of up to 5 inches in some areas. Wet conditions delayed fieldwork in many areas. Watermelon harvesting continued where producers could access. Saturated soils could have a detrimental impact on row crops, including cotton, corn and sorghum. Some cotton was replanted due to cool temperatures and excessive rainfall. Corn was mostly silking and in good condition. Sorghum was heading, and some fields were turning color. Rice and soybeans were in good condition. Sunflowers were planted. Pastures remained in poor to excellent condition, and forage growth was expected to increase with sunny days. Second hay cuttings were delayed due to wet conditions. Ponds were full, and cattle were in excellent condition.  

South Plains

Widespread rain improved soil conditions and helped pasture conditions. Subsoil and topsoil moisture levels ranged based on localized rainfall. Some areas were seeing declining crops due to weather. Producers were in all stages of early season crop production. Many were trying to establish the first stand of cotton or grain corn and sorghum. Many acres of cotton were lost to hail, and some producers were replanting with cotton or grain sorghum. Weeds and thrips were a priority for some producers. Pastures, rangelands and livestock were in good condition.

Panhandle

Average daytime temperatures were noticeably higher. Soil moisture levels were adequate. Wheat and triticale harvests continued at a strong pace as small grain crops continued to mature. Ground and weather conditions were good for planting sorghum, sunflowers and other later-planted, warm-season crops. Conditions were also favorable for harvest of any cool-season oilseed crops such as camelina and canola. Randall County experienced a major hailstorm with many crops severely damaged and some considered a total loss. Some producers will replant with sorghum or haygrazer. No cotton will be replanted as the timing window has passed. Pasture and range conditions were fair to good.

North

The counties across the region experienced some floodings and sporadic rain showers, with some areas receiving up to 3 inches or more of rainfall. The rain showers over the past week helped tremendously with moisture levels. Subsoil and topsoil were reported as adequate to surplus within the region.  Winter wheat harvest was delayed. Corn was doing well. Blackberry harvest was strong on urban farms; strawberries were producing well but will end next month when heat increases. Peaches and plum harvests were active. Rice and soybean conditions were fair to good.  Pasture and range conditions were reported as good. Livestock conditions were still good to excellent. Nuisance flies were still abundant as were mosquitoes. Tabanid flies were reported as frequent in livestock pastures and chiggers have seen an uptick recently.

West Central

Most areas received rain with many areas reporting more than 1.5 inches. Some areas reported 4-7 inches of rainfall for the week. Some flooding in low areas was reported. Temperatures were mild and much lower than the previous week. Straight line winds caused some crop damage. Producers cut and baled hay where conditions were dry enough. Small grain harvests were on hold due to excess moisture and muddy fields, but producers in drier areas were able to harvest wheat. Cotton planting continued where possible. The moisture helped sorghum, corn and cotton. Some cotton acreage washed out or drowned. Pecan orchards looked great. Stock tanks were filled with runoff water and streams were running. Rainfall reduced stress on trees. Rangeland and pasture conditions improved and were mostly in good condition. Livestock body conditions continued to improve, but producers were monitoring for foot rot due to excess moisture. Cattle sale prices were steady to higher across classes.

Southwest

Temperatures have remained normal to slightly below average. Beneficial rainfall, with totals ranging from 1-7 inches, improved soil moisture levels. Some flooding and runoff was reported. Timely rainfall should benefit most crop acres, boost yields and reduce irrigation. Heavy rains delayed corn harvests and continued to delay foliar herbicide applications on nuisance brush. However, later-planted corn stands should benefit significantly from the moisture. Grain sorghum was heading out, and fields were beginning to turn color. Oat harvest was complete, with grain in storage in full swing. Pecan orchards received zinc and phosphorus fertilization between rain events in preparation for nut development. Pest pressure remained low across pastures and rangelands. Pasture conditions were improving, and hay production was underway where weather cooperated. Summer grasses and forbs were beginning to respond positively to the recent rainfall. Livestock were in mostly fair condition, with body conditions showing significant improvement. Whitetail doe conditions also improved, which should support better fawn survival rates. Livestock continued to graze, and diets were being supplemented with additional forage as needed.

South

Conditions looked good overall. Most of the Rio Grande Valley received some good rain including up to 4.5 inches in some parts of the district. Warm, windy days were followed by thunderstorms with more rainfall expected over the next seven to 10 days. The rainfall created runoff, and creeks and rivers were running. Water levels in Falcon Reservoir increased a few feet. Row crop conditions improved. Sorghum fields were maturing, and some were beginning to color. Producers were cutting and baling hay. Vegetable producers were still growing crops. Some grain producers were getting ready to harvest. Most cotton was either flowering or setting bolls. Most corn fields were mature and drying down, and harvest should begin soon. Citrus benefited from the periodic rain showers. Peanut planting continued and should be complete soon. Sunflower harvest was underway but halted due to rain. Sesame fields looked great. Pasture and range conditions were improving. Stock tanks were beginning to replenish, and stocking rates improved. Beef cattle market prices remained high. Most producers stopped hauling hay and water. Cattle conditions continued to improve, and supplementation was reduced.