Watermelon Market 2026. The Best High-Profit Watermelon Varieties.

The market for melons and gourds in Ukraine is changing. Previously, Kherson watermelons were considered the tastiest. Now, farmers grow watermelons in all regions of Ukraine: from Zakarpattia to Kharkiv Oblast, from Kherson to Chernihiv.

   Some "experts" believe that a watermelon grown in the south of Ukraine is the tastiest. This is a myth. The temperature in the south of Ukraine in the summer can reach +50-60 °C in the sun. At these temperatures, the fruits get sunburned, and the surface layer of the fruit's cells is destroyed. Fruits that have been sunburned must be sold immediately; they can no longer withstand long-term storage. On the other hand, ripe southern watermelons must also be sold quickly for another reason. Under the influence of high temperatures, watermelon fruits overripen quickly. So, a farmer has 5-7 days to harvest and sell a ripe watermelon.

  A watermelon grown in Zakarpattia in a cozy microclimate slowly accumulates sugar, but at the same time, the sugar content of this watermelon reaches extremely high levels. In Zakarpattia, a farmer has 2-3 weeks to harvest and sell ripe watermelons.

  A watermelon from the Chernihiv region represents premium quality, achieved due to high humidity and the excellent composition of the soil. As a result, farmers harvest large fruits with an extremely high sugar content. The high yield and excellent shelf life of the fruits in the field (up to 2-3 weeks) are impressive.

  This year was difficult for melons - a cold spring with a large amplitude of temperature fluctuations at night and during the day. Many farmers counted on super-early varieties and hybrids of watermelons. Nature made its own adjustments: most hybrids (early and mid-season) ripened at the same time. The market was not ready for such a large quantity of watermelons. Farmers from the south sold watermelons, which were overripening quickly, for next to nothing.

  Farmers received the highest profit from growing yellow watermelons. The wholesale price for a yellow watermelon averaged 18 UAH per 1 kg, while red ones were sold for 3-5 UAH per 1 kg. The most popular varieties (hybrids) were the Jaco F1 (PL 6003 F1) and Red in Gold F1 watermelons from the South Korean breeding company Asia Seed.

   Jaco F1 Watermelon – this is a watermelon that has a yellow rind and yellow flesh. An extremely high sugar content (12-13%), which fully satisfies the needs of any gourmet. One plant produces 5-9 full-grown fruits weighing 3-5 kg. The actual yield this season was about 65-70 tons of watermelons per hectare.

   Red in Gold F1 Watermelon – this is a watermelon with a yellow rind but red flesh. The sugar content is 12-13%, it is sweet, and the flesh creates a sensation of having "sugar granules." One plant produces 4-6 full-grown fruits weighing 4.5-8 kg. The actual yield in Ukraine this season was about 85 tons per hectare.

    Despite the high retail price of yellow watermelons (25-30 UAH per 1 kg), they were bought in a queue this season. Therefore, the highest profit was earned by those farmers who took risks but also made forecasts. As they say: "If you are afraid of wolves, don't go into the woods."