Shenzhen International Food Exhibition has learned that China, as the world's largest producer and consumer of watermelons, produces approximately 60 million tons annually, accounting for 60% of global output. This means the average Chinese person consumes nearly 100 pounds of watermelon each year. In the scorching summer heat, watermelons are not just a refreshing treat but also a reflection of the advancements in China's agricultural technology and industrial upgrades.

Henan Province ranks first in watermelon cultivation nationwide, with a planting area of 3 million mu (about 200,000 hectares) and an annual output exceeding 10 million tons. One out of every five watermelons sold in China comes from Henan. At a 7,000-mu watermelon planting base in Yanjin County, farmers are busy loading the last batch of this summer's watermelons for distribution across the country. Notably, the per-mu yield of watermelons in Henan exceeds 3,000 kilograms, more than twice the world average, thanks to the scientific planting model of "high-quality seeds + advanced methods."  

In Daxing District, Beijing, traditional watermelon planting methods are being revolutionized. Farmers in Panggezhuang Town adopt vertical cultivation techniques, allowing watermelons to "grow upright". This model not only saves space but also improves quality. Local agricultural technicians have detected that this year's watermelons have higher sugar content than in previous years, with small-sized watermelons weighing around 1.5 kilograms particularly favored by the market. In this year's "Watermelon King" competition, Panggezhuang Town even set a new record for weight in competitions.  

Behind the increased sweetness of watermelons lies a breakthrough in breeding technology. Lu Xuqiang, a watermelon breeding expert from the Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, explained that through 50 years of variety improvement, the sugar content of China's watermelons has increased from 10% to 13%. "However, this does not mean the sweeter, the better," Lu emphasized. "We pay more attention to the comprehensive quality of watermelons, including flavor, juiciness, texture, and other dimensions."  

At the Xinxiang Experimental Base of the Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute, researchers are cultivating a new generation of watermelon varieties. The base not only preserves over 400 watermelon germplasm resources but has also completed the mapping of a new-generation watermelon genome. Lu Xuqiang's team is developing a new "Rainbow Watermelon" variety, whose β-carotene content is five times that of ordinary watermelons, with a single fruit weighing 2-3 kilograms—perfectly suited to the needs of modern small families.  

Progress in the watermelon industry is also reflected in innovations in planting technology. Some melon fields in Henan use drip irrigation technology to achieve precise irrigation and fertilization; Daxing District in Beijing promotes vertical cultivation to improve land utilization; and greenhouse cultivation is widely applied across regions to extend the supply period. These technological innovations have collectively driven improvements in watermelon yield and quality.  

Shenzhen International Food Exhibition notes that for consumers, there are scientific methods to select watermelons. Experts suggest: first, check the appearance—those with bright base color and clear stripes are more ripe; second, look at the ground-contacting part—yellowish ones are riper than whitish ones; third, listen to the sound—the best ones produce a "dong-dong" sound similar to patting a chest. Nutrition experts remind that watermelons are best eaten between meals or half an hour after exercise. Cut watermelons should not be left at room temperature for more than 4 hours, or refrigerated for more than 24 hours.  

Lu Xuqiang calculated for reporters: "A 0.5% increase in watermelon sweetness, a 1% increase in commodity rate, a 1% reduction in fruit cracking rate, and a 10% reduction in transportation loss—these seemingly minor improvements, when multiplied by the national planting area of over 20 million mu, can create billions of yuan in new benefits and reduce waste by millions of tons."  

From open-field cultivation to greenhouse cultivation, from traditional breeding to gene sequencing, and from pursuing yield to focusing on quality, China's watermelon industry is undergoing profound changes. Behind this are the hard work of countless agricultural researchers and the power of modern agricultural technology. With the continuous emergence of new varieties and technologies, Chinese people's "watermelon freedom" is becoming increasingly guaranteed in terms of quality.

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

Source: Sina Finance

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