I've lugged home my fair share of watermelon from China where the average weight is 9 to 11 kilos and, minus the rind, the actual fruit weighs in at 6.3kg. Watermelon Whisperers are employed to check if the fruit is ready and ripe to eat. We researched more about the wonderful world of watermelons (西瓜 (Xīguā) in China.
Watermelon Origins
Watermelons originated in Southern Africa over 5,000 years ago. The wild ancestor, a tough and drought-tolerant plant and was valued for its ability to store water. Ancient Egyptians cultivated this plant, improving its bitter flesh to develop sweeter, more palatable varieties.
The watermelon entered China by the 10th century and today offers relief from summer heat and is considered an important element of traditional folk culture and agricultural heritage in China.
Dominance
China reigns supreme in the world of watermelons, boasting the title of both the largest producer and consumer, accounting for a staggering 60% of global watermelon production.
Watermelons are grown across vast areas, covering over 2 million hectares in provinces like Shandong, Zhejiang, Jilin, and Heilongjiang, and translate into an annual output exceeding 79 million tons (2018).
Below is a video on the vertical farming of watermelons.
The Chinese appetite for watermelons is equally impressive. In 2018, the country consumed over 70 million tons of watermelon, translating to a per capita consumption of over 50 kilograms. This makes watermelon the most consumed fruit in China, especially during the summer months.
Beyond the Fruit
Watermelon's significance extends beyond its deliciousness. This is an industry that packs punch with annual output exceeding 2 trillion yuan, highlighting its economic importance.
Innovation and Variety
Watermelon, known as 西瓜 (Xīguā) or "melon of the west," holds a special place in Chinese culture and is constantly evolving.
New varieties, like the "ice cream watermelon", are being developed for a changing consumer preference. With its creamy yellow pulp, the ice cream watermelon grows hanging from trees, and adds another dimension to China's watermelon offerings.
[In the United States, there are also an orange watermelons developed by Willhite Seed Co. in Poolville, Texas, sometime before 1965.]
From its vast production and consumption to its cultural significance and economic impact, China's watermelon industry is a testament to the fruit's enduring popularity and its role in shaping the country's agricultural landscape.
About Ivan Theodoulou
Ivan Theodoulou is founder of Eight PR, a PR agency in Hong Kong that specializes in tech, law, and corporate PR. He first visited China in 1987 by train from Hong Kong to Guangzhou and has since traveled extensively on the mainland and in the Greater Bay Area (GBA). Ivan passed his China driving test in March 2024 and now drives regularly in the GBA.
Places visited in China (by car, plane, train, high speed train, ferry, coach, bus) include: Beijing, Beijou, Chengdu, Dali, Daya Bay, Dongguan, Foshan, Ganzhou, Gaoming, Guangzhou, Hainan, Hailing Island, Heishan, Huizhou, Junan, Kunming, Lijang, Longjiang, Nanhai, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Shilin Yi, Shunde, Wuzhou, Xiamen, Yingde, Yinghe, Zhuhai, Zhaoqing.
Read our posts on a driving holiday in China, and about the marvel that is the Hong Kong - Macau - Zhuhai Bridge.