10 World’s Biggest Watermelon-Producing Countries– Based on the 2019 FAO Statistical Database (FAOStats), there are 10 World’s Biggest watermelon-producing countries. These countries certainly have their own preferences for watermelon plants. The fruit is sweet, crunchy, and refreshing, and its taste is a very lovely dream of the consumers.
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a type of creeping plant that is widely cultivated throughout the world. Taxonomically, watermelon plants are included in the Division: Spermatophyta; Subdivisions: Angiosperms; Class: Dicotyledonae; Order: Cucurbitales; Family: Cucurbitaceae; Genus: Citrullus; Species: Citrullus lanatus. Watermelon is an annual fruit plant that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family so that it has a close relationship with other similar plants such as melon (Cucumis melo L.), chayote (Sechium edule), Calabash (Lagenaria siceraria (Mol) Standl.), pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Dutch ex Poir), and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.).
Watermelon cultivation has been carried out for a long time ago. Historically, wild watermelon seeds have been found at the site of prehistoric Libya Uan Muhuggiag. There is also evidence of the discovery of watermelon seeds in the tombs of Pharaohs in Egypt. Until now, watermelon cultivation has spread to various parts of the world. They cultivate this plant because the fruit produced has a taste that is liked by all human beings.
Based on statistical data from the Food Agriculture Organization (FAO), in 2019, the total production of watermelon fruit worldwide reached 100 million tons with the watermelon plant area recorded reaching 3 million hectares spread throughout the world. When viewed from the distribution, the Asian continent is still the center of watermelon production with a total harvest of 79 million tons (79% of total worldwide watermelon production), followed by the African continent with 7.5 million tons (7.5% of total worldwide production) and the Americas with production reaching 6.9 million tons (6.9% of the worldwide watermelon production).
When viewed from the level of producer countries, there are 10 World’s Biggest Watermelon-Producing Countries in 2019. This data is obtained from the FAO Statistical Database (FAO Stats) in 2019.
Rank Table of the 10 World’s Biggest Watermelon Producing Countries in 2019
| Rank | Countries | Watermelon Production in 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| (Tons) | ||
| 1 | China, mainland | 60,685,237 |
| 2 | Turkey | 3,870,515 |
| 3 | India | 2,495,000 |
| 4 | Brazil | 2,278,186 |
| 5 | Algeria | 2,206,866 |
| 6 | Iran (Islamic Republic of) | 1,930,692 |
| 7 | Russian Federation | 1,785,277 |
| 8 | United States of America | 1,680,514 |
| 9 | Egypt | 1,583,918 |
| 10 | Mexico | 1,345,705 |
| Source : FAO Statistical Database (FAOStas, 2019) | ||
Brief Description of the 10 World’s Biggest Watermelon Producing Countries
1. China
China is the World’s Biggest watermelon-producing country. According to data from FAO, the watermelon production of Mao Zedong’s country of origin reached 60,685,237 tons in 2019. This large amount of production certainly makes China the world’s largest watermelon-producing country. Geographically, there are several central areas of watermelon cultivation in China which include Shandong, Gansu, Ningxia, Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hebei, Jiangsu, Hubei, Jiangxi, Shanxi, Anhui, Sichuan, Shaanxi, Shanghai, Hainan, Zhejiang, and Beijing.
2. Turkey
Turkey is the 2nd Biggest Watermelon Producing Country in the World. According to data from FAO, watermelon production reached 3,870,515 tons. Watermelon plants are widely cultivated in the Antalya region, Turkey.
3. India
India is the 3rd World’s Biggest Watermelon Producing Country. According to data from FAO, watermelon production reached 2,495,000 tons. In Mahatma Gandhi’s home country, there are several central areas of watermelon cultivation. The region includes the states of Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh. According to data from the National Horticulture Board (NHB) in 2018, in India, the largest watermelon-producing state is Uttar Pradesh with production reaching 619 thousand tons, followed by Andhra Pradesh with a production of 360 thousand tons, and Karnataka with a production of 336 thousand tons.
4. Brazil
Brazil is the 4th World’s Biggest Watermelon Producing Country. According to data from FAO, watermelon production reached 2,278,186 tons. In Brazil, there are several central areas for watermelon cultivation. The area includes the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Sao Paulo, Goias, Bahia and Tocantins. Some types of watermelon that are popular in Brazil are Omaru Yamato, Charleston Gray, Fairfax, Crimson Sweet, Perola, and Embrapa.
5. Algeria
Algeria is the 5th Biggest Watermelon Producing Country in the World. According to data from FAO, watermelon production reached 2,206,866 tons. In the African region, Algeria became the world’s largest watermelon producer from the African continent in 2019.
6. Iran
The next country in Asia with the largest watermelon production is Iran. Iran is the 6th Largest Watermelon Producing Country in the World. According to data from FAO, watermelon production reached 1,930,692 tons.
7. Russia
Russia is the 7th Biggest Watermelon Producing Country in the World. According to data from FAO, watermelon production reached 1,785,277 tons. In this country, the main region in Russia that produces watermelon is Astrakhan City, a city located in the southern part of Russia.
8. The United States of America
The United States of America is the 8th World’s Biggest Watermelon Producing Country. According to data from FAO, watermelon production reached 1,680,514 tons. The states in the United States with the largest watermelon production are Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, and Texas. In total, watermelon production from these 5 states accounts for 69% of the United States’ total national watermelon production.
9. Egypt
Egypt is the 9th Biggest Watermelon Producing Country in the World. According to data from FAO, watermelon production reached 1,583,918 tons.
10.Mexico
Mexico is the 10th Biggest Watermelon Producing Country in the World. According to data from FAO, watermelon production reached 1,345,705 tons. In Mexico, watermelon is grown in several states. The state includes Sonora, Colima, and Nayarit which are the largest watermelon-producing regions. Statistically, Mexico also exports a lot of watermelon to the United States.
Bibliography 10 World’s Biggest Watermelon Producing Countries
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