W24: Watermelon Update

In W24 in the watermelon landscape, in Poland, as part of joint inspections, the safety and quality of watermelon transport to agricultural markets have been examined by road transport inspectors and the Agricultural and Food Quality Inspectorate (IJHARS). The inspections aim to ensure the proper handling and transport of watermelons and other imported products. In Italy, watermelon prices remain stable, but the non-optimal quality and adverse weather conditions have affected ripening and consumer demand. Sicilian watermelons maintain higher prices compared to other regions. Also, watermelons in Gyeongbuk, South Korea, have been impacted by recent hailstorms. Hailstones ranging from 2 to 15 mm in diameter fell between June 8-12th, causing damage to watermelon crops. The extent of the damage to watermelons and other crops in the region is still being assessed. Farmers are receiving on-site technical support from the Gyeongbuk Provincial Agricultural Research and Extension Services to aid in the recovery process.

Cold weather conditions this year have also hampered the development of watermelon plants in the Odesa region, Ukraine. Due to the cold spring and early summer, watermelon growers who sowed early have experienced losses. As a result, predictions indicate that watermelon prices may be high this year, potentially on par with or even higher than the prices seen last year, when watermelons were sold for USD 0.81/kg (UAH 30/kg) in the market. In addition, due to intentional damage to the Kakhovskaya Hydroelectric Power Plant in Ukraine, the Kherson region has experienced a catastrophic flood. As a result, the watermelon harvest in the flooded areas has been severely affected, with most of the produce being washed away. The famous Kherson watermelons will be scarce, and there will be a significant decrease in the overall watermelon harvest.