Watermelons remain one of the most desired summer products for Ukrainians; however, this year’s start of the domestic berry season is delayed due to an unusually cold spring. As a result, most watermelons available on the Ukrainian market in July 2025 are of imported origin.
This is reported by Finway
Reasons for the Dominance of Imported Watermelons in 2025
According to the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection, domestic watermelon production has decreased due to the war and a reduction in arable land. Additionally, adverse weather conditions in spring complicated the situation, leading to a delay in the ripening of Ukrainian berries.
“The watermelon season in Ukraine has not yet started. Due to the war and the reduction of arable land, the volumes of domestic production have significantly decreased. This year, the situation has also been complicated by the late spring – the weather conditions have delayed the harvest ripening. Therefore, imported watermelons currently dominate the store shelves,” explained Volodymyr Kusturov, Deputy Head of the State Consumer Service.
Since the beginning of 2025, over 7,200 tons of watermelons have been imported into Ukraine. The largest suppliers of these juicy berries are Turkey (4,024.63 tons), Greece (2,243 tons), and Azerbaijan (735.05 tons). Smaller quantities are imported from Peru, Brazil, Costa Rica, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Moldova, and several other countries.
Quality Control of Imported Watermelons and Selection Tips
To ensure the safety of imported products, several levels of control are implemented in Ukraine:
- Documentary Verification: mandatory presence of certificates and accompanying documentation indicating the origin of the watermelons.
- Physical Control: checking the condition, labeling, packaging, transportation conditions, as well as the absence of damage or signs of spoilage.
- Laboratory Research: analysis for nitrate content, heavy metals (including lead and cadmium), and other hazardous substances according to the external appearance of the berries.
Experts from the State Consumer Service recommend Ukrainians:
- Choose watermelons with intact, undamaged skin — cracks or punctures may indicate bacterial contamination.
- Avoid purchasing cut or damaged watermelons, especially from street vendors or spontaneous markets where products undergo no control.
- Prefer official retail points: supermarkets, agro-food markets, and stores where product quality is checked according to current legislation.