South and North Carolina represent a powerful combo for watermelons

South Carolina and North Carolina are a powerful one-two punch for U.S. watermelon availability.

Totaling about 2,500 truckloads in 2021, South Carolina’s red-flesh seedless watermelon crop represents one of the state’s biggest fresh produce crops.

For 2021, the USDA reported shipments of South Carolina red-flesh seedless watermelon beginning in May and ending in August. After minor volume in May, the USDA reported June shipments accounted for 39% of annual volume. July saw peak volume, with about 59% of the annual volume shipped in that month.

In 2021, the USDA said shipments of South Carolina red-flesh seeded watermelon were active in June and July, with reported shipments of about 33 (40,000 pound) truckloads. Shipments in June accounted for about 80% of 2021 volume, according to the USDA.

In the 2021 summary of South Carolina agricultural statistics, the USDA estimated watermelon harvested area of about 3,800 acres and production of 1.33 million cwt. The crop yielded $13.4 per cwt, for a total value of $17.75 million, the USDA said.

North Carolina output

In North Carolina, the USDA reported that 2021 red-flesh seedless watermelon shipments totaled 4,503 truckloads.

2021 shipments for North Carolina red-flesh seedless watermelons began in June and concluded in October, the USDA said.

By month, the USDA said the percentage of annual watermelon shipments in 2021 were: June (less than 1%), July (40%), August (54%), September (5%) and October (1%).

North Carolina’s red-flesh seeded watermelon shipments mustered 236 truckloads, with volume reported in July (70% of annual volume) and August (30%).

North Carolina’s harvested watermelon acreage was reported at 9,300 acres in 2021, with the total crop production at 2.5 million cwt valued at $36 million, the USDA reports.

Average U.S. Terminal Market Price for Cartons of Size-4 Watermelons
(all origins)

• Jan-21     $39.20 
• Feb-21     $36.50 
• Mar-21     $46.43 
• Apr-21     $48.10 
• May-21     $33.63 
• Jun-21     $32.05 
• Jul-21     $32.80 
• Aug-21     $32.00 
• Sep-21     $33.02 
• Oct-21     $35.13 
• Nov-21     $39.21 
• Dec-21     $44.86 
• Jan-22     $45.63 
• Feb-22     $43.03 
• Mar-22     $46.44 
• Apr-22     $46.45 
• May-22     $42.60

Source: USDA