The watermelon season in the state of Texas typically kicks off around May 1st. However, this year, the earliest growing region in the southern part of the state started up three weeks late as a result of weather issues. Many growers didn't start until Memorial Day and were unable to take advantage of demand leading up to this holiday weekend. Because of the delayed start, harvest of the next region, South Central Texas, followed relatively soon, causing the market to collapse. "Supply built up fast in too short a time," says Mike Lopez with Jackson Melons out of Garden City, TX. "It was a snowball effect."
For Jackson Melons, the season started on time around July 1 and will continue through August. "By the time the Garden City region kicked off, the market had already been flooded with watermelons." The delayed start had a significant impact on the other growing regions in the state and the watermelon market nationwide. "Just now, prices are starting to show an improvement," Lopez said. A 45 ct. bin runs between $120 and $140 while the price of a 36 ct. bin ranges between $105 and $120.
© Jackson Melons
"While demand for watermelons is strong, there are just too many farms that grow them," commented Lopez. Other watermelon growing states that are in season now include California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Florida. In addition, Indiana and Missouri are expected to start up in a week or two.
"If everybody starts when they are supposed to start, prices could still be low during peak supply in summer, but not to this extent," Lopez said. "Last year, we saw a horrible market between mid-July and Labor Day, but this year, the market crashed in June already." Oversupply is not only caused by the season being more concise, additional planted acreage is also a factor this year.
For more information:
Mike Lopez
Jackson Melons
Tel: 903-657-2760
[email protected]
