This year, the watermelon season will start two weeks earlier than usual, thanks to improved agricultural technology and an expanded choice of varieties, Agriculture Minister István Nagy announced in a video posted on social media.
The head of the ministry said that watermelon exports have increased significantly in recent years, and domestic consumption is also high: 10-12 kilograms per person of watermelon, 1.5-2.2 kilograms per person of cantaloupe per year. He added that in 2024, 1,198 producers will deal with watermelons and 269 producers with cantaloupes, with watermelons to be grown on a total of 3,665 hectares and cantaloupes on 436 hectares, which has significantly expanded compared to last year.
Between 160,000 and 180,000 tons of watermelons are expected to be harvested this season, also due to favorable weather conditions.
István Nagy emphasized that the watermelons were not damaged by frost this year, which is why the growing conditions are favorable. Watermelons especially like the current sunny and warm weather, so all the conditions are in place for high-quality Hungarian watermelons to be in the stores.
Regarding watermelon exports, the minister said that they increased in 2023 to 47,000 tons, and their value increased by 85 percent compared to the previous year.
The aim is to increase exports, for which there are still opportunities. The minister said that Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Poland are among the target countries, because due to our geographical location, we can deliver to these countries much cheaper and with lower transport costs.
