Dry weather in Florida has made for good growing conditions for watermelons, and although growers expect a good season ahead, strong demand had made for a tight market as supplies transition from foreign to domestic sources.“There have been perfect growing conditions,” said Bob Gibson of Gibson Produce. He noted that the dry weather has been good for the crop. Those conditions have, in turn, resulted in good quality. Many growers will start harvesting in the next couple of weeks, though Gibson said they started a week early this year. Supplies are mainly coming out of the state's central growing regions.
Supplies might be a little tight in the short run as production transitions from Mexico to Florida, he added. Healthy consumer demand is also contributing to a snug market, which has, in turn, led to higher prices.
“Everything's tight right now,” said Bobby Barton of Jim Rush, Incorporated, “so prices are higher than in previous years.” But with good growing conditions and increased volumes from more growers starting their harvests, supply levels should improve.