US melons meet soft demand, forcing prices down this domestic 2025 season

The US 2025 melon season in the United States was highly productive but resulted in disappointing prices during critical selling months, says Garrett Patricio, president of melon grower and supplier Westside Produce/Classic Fruit.

According to the executive, peak prices reached the $12 to $13 range, but for several weeks, cases of melons sold for as low as $6. 

“To break even, prices through the summer should be around $9 to $10, but prices this summer didn’t average $10,” said Patricio.

The larger-than-average harvest is an issue, as there’s not enough demand to keep up with the increasing fruit supply entering the market, he explained.

Just like in 2024, the United States Department of Agriculture projected an increase in production of cantaloupes, watermelons, and honeydews, Patricio said. However, “We have not seen a significant increase in consumption.”

According to an Index Box’s World Melon Market Analysis report, the fruit’s demand is rising, but not at the same pace as yield. The market intelligence platform says that global consumption peaked at $31 billion in 2022, and since then, the market’s value has remained stable.

“Additional supply in the marketplace was the biggest test, but our alliance operated effectively in providing a consistent supply of product to our core customers,” Patricio added. 

Offshore 2025 melon season kicks off

As for the coming months, the executive hopes to end the year on a positive note.

Although most of the fruit consumed in the United States are grown domestically, October marks the end of the US season. It’s around this time that growers and shippers start gearing up to import the seasonal fruit from global suppliers such as Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico.

During the winter months, Westside Produce/Classic Fruit’s melons come from their offshore operations in Guatemala, the world’s main supplier.

This year, the company’s incoming fruit is looking great, Patricio said, and supply is sufficient for a steady flow that will last through the holiday season.

“Growing conditions have been better than the past few years, with far fewer major weather events,” he added. “We expect the quality and yields to be very good.”

Related stories: 

Global melon market on a flat trend pattern, the United States remains main importer

Westside Produce and Classic Fruit gear up for domestic melon season