As summer approaches, biting into a sweet and juicy watermelon has become a shared ritual for people across the country. But have you ever wondered where that sweetness originates? Recently, the digital freight platform Yunmanman released Watermelon Industry Insights, offering a comprehensive analysis of China's watermelon industry, including origin distribution, consumption flows, and market characteristics. In an era where agricultural products are in the spotlight, watermelons have always been a popular exhibit at Food Expo 2025 in Shenzhen. This report undoubtedly deepens our understanding of the industry and provides valuable references for watermelon-related displays and exchanges at such events. 

The report reveals that in the first half of 2025, Yunnan, leveraging its unique geographical and climatic advantages, made a stunning breakthrough to become the top province in China for watermelon shipments, outpacing traditional major producers like Shandong, Henan, Hainan, and Anhui. Xishuangbanna and Dehong stood out in particular, with combined shipments exceeding 4 million tons, securing the top two spots among cities nationwide and serving as key suppliers for China's "watermelon lovers." 

From a temporal perspective, while Yunnan dominated watermelon shipments in the first half of the year, traditional producing areas like Xinjiang and Ningxia remained crucial during the peak shipping season of June to August. Looking at full-year 2024 data, Xinjiang and Ningxia ranked first and second in national shipments, with Yunnan and Gansu also firmly in the top five. This highlights the diversity and stability of China's watermelon production bases, providing a rich variety of watermelon exhibits for Food Expo 2025 in Shenzhen.

In terms of consumption, Dongguan emerged as the country's largest watermelon-receiving city. In 2024, Dongguan received approximately 200 million watermelons, averaging about 19 per person annually. Other major consumers include Baoding, Chongqing, Handan, and Zhengzhou. These cities not only have large local demand but also play a key role in distributing watermelons to surrounding areas. For example, Baoding, a major fruit and vegetable distribution hub, receives watermelons from multiple producing areas such as Xishuangbanna, Bayannur, and Turpan, then redistributes them to cities like Beijing, Shijiazhuang, and Tianjin, forming an extensive distribution network. 

Winter is typically a slow season for watermelon consumption, but some cities still maintain strong demand. The report notes that the top five winter watermelon-shipping cities are all in southern China, while the top five consuming cities are mostly in the north, including Baoding, Zhengzhou, Zibo, and Shenyang. These northern cities meet their citizens' winter craving for watermelons by sourcing from the south. 

Additionally, the report analyzed the distribution characteristics of some well-known watermelon varieties. Take the 8424 watermelon: although grown locally in Shanghai, strong market demand requires large-scale imports from other regions. Data shows that between May 1 and June 15, 2025, watermelons shipped into Shanghai were 20 times more than those shipped out, reflecting the huge demand for 8424 watermelons. 

Wenling Yulin watermelon, another renowned variety, shows distinct distribution patterns. During the same period, Wenling exported far more watermelons than it imported, mainly to major southern cities like Wenzhou, Fuzhou, Quanzhou, Guangzhou, and Chengdu, demonstrating its strong market competitiveness.

If you would like to learn more about the food industry, please visit the SIAL China website for more information.

Source: China Food Safety Network

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