Riyadh: Watermelon tops Saudi Arabia's summer fruit production, with annual output exceeding 620,000 tons and peak demand during the summer season. Valued for its refreshing taste and rich nutritional content, it is also an important raw material for food-processing industries.

According to Saudi Press Agency, as part of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture's campaign to highlight seasonal fruits in the Kingdom, the ministry disclosed that watermelon is widely cultivated across several regions, including Riyadh, Makkah, Eastern Region, Al-Jouf, Al-Baha, Madinah, Qassim, Tabuk, Hail, Aseer, and Jazan. This extensive cultivation helps meet local market demand during the summer.

The crop 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 in line with Saudi Vision 2030, watermelon production benefits from government support through agricultural guidance, financing, modern farming technologies, and enhanced marketing and supply-chain initiatives.

Source: Saudi Press Agency