Turkish and Texas watermelon exports: strong volumes, mixed regional results
Turkey increased its watermelon exports significantly by 2024, while Texas reported a strong 2025/26 season with above-average fruit quality and sugar content.
Turkey's fresh fruit and vegetable exports, including watermelons, reached 3.7 million tonnes by the end of 2024, up 175 percent since 2002. Watermelon is among the top export products, with a notable increase in both production and exports. In 2024, Turkey exported 7.1 percent of its total fresh produce output, a rise from 3.8 percent in 2002, reflecting stronger competitiveness in European and world markets. The climate crisis in 2025 led to a 14 percent production drop across major Turkish crops, impacting overall output but not halting export activity.
Texas concluded the 2025/26 watermelon season with strong fruit quality, reporting above-average sugar content and limited disease pressure. The long Texas season, running from late May to early September, enabled growers to offset localized challenges such as mild winter and pest pressure in the Río Grande Valley with better yields in the central region. Despite some harvest delays from heavy rainfall, overall crop volumes remained high, and supply to export markets was stable.
European importers, including those in Poland, continue to source watermelons from Turkey due to steady supply and expanded export capacity. Turkish watermelons compete directly with Spanish and Italian produce on the European market, especially during peak summer demand. Texas watermelons are primarily focused on the North American market, but strong harvests can influence global price trends and availability.
Turkey's fresh produce export growth is supported by improvements in logistics and market access, which have reduced delivery times to key European destinations. Turkish exporters highlight their increased resilience and ability to maintain trade flows despite weather-related supply shocks in 2025.
Material prepared by the editorial team of fresh-market.info, editor Artur Spiker · Illustrative image generated by AI