RIYADH — Saudi Arabia produces over 620,000 tons of watermelon annually, making it the country’s top-produced fruit with peak demand in the summer.
The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture explained that the highly valued fruit — due to its refreshing taste and rich nutritional content — is widely cultivated across several regions, including Riyadh, Makkah, Eastern Region, Al-Jouf, Al-Baha, Madinah, Qassim, Tabuk, Hail, Aseer, and Jazan. This cultivation helps meet local market demand in the summer.
Other than being an important raw material for the food-processing industry, the watermelon adapts well to different climatic conditions and is produced in several varieties with diverse sizes, colors, and flavors.
Beyond supporting food security and economic diversification, watermelon production benefits from government support through agricultural guidance, financing, modern farming technologies, and enhanced marketing and supply-chain initiatives.
Source: Saudi Gazette