From late May to early June, the Chinese market experienced an oversupply of watermelons due to a concentrated harvest, leading to sharply falling prices and slow sales. However, since mid-June, the market has gradually warmed up with rising temperatures, and watermelon prices have recently returned to normal levels.
Mr. Zhou from Shaanxi Tangsen Technology Co., Ltd., who sells watermelons in Weinan, Shaanxi, reports that the season for greenhouse-grown watermelons has ended. The current main products are open-field watermelons, including Tianwang, Meidu (Qilin watermelon), and Ganmei 4K. "Greenhouse watermelons typically command higher prices due to higher planting costs and quality, but the sluggish market in late May resulted in lower prices for greenhouse watermelons compared to open-field varieties."
Left: Ganmei 4K watermelons; Right: Tianwang watermelons.
"Take Meidu, for example, which usually has a higher price. In previous years, the early production season purchase price was around ¥4-6/kg, but it dropped to below ¥2/kg recently. Additionally, the price fell from ¥1.8/kg on May 25 to ¥0.4/kg by May 28."
"The period from May 25 to June 5 saw the lowest watermelon prices, with a large supply but weak market demand. Contributing factors included low overall market consumption willingness, continuous rainfall reducing the desire to eat watermelons, and heavy rainfall affecting watermelon quality."
Little Shentong (Mo Tong) watermelon.
"After June 10, rising temperatures across various regions led to a gradual recovery in the prices of high-end watermelon varieties, although ordinary watermelon prices remained low. Recently, hot weather has increased consumer demand for watermelons, with prices gradually returning to normal levels."
Despite the market's improvement, watermelon sales are slower than usual. According to Mr. Zhou, current daily sales are only about half of what they were in previous years.
Ningxia Selenium Melon.
To adapt to the market, Mr. Zhou explained that the company will shift varieties and products in a timely manner. "Open-field watermelon planting in the Shaanxi production area will end in late June, and then we will sell selenium melons produced in Ningxia. The current yield and quality of selenium melons are ideal, with production prices similar to previous years. Additionally, from mid-July, we will also sell honeydew melons produced in Minqin, Gansu, which are popular in the market."
The company's sales channels include community group buying, e-commerce platforms, and supermarkets.
Zhou Junlin