Good news for watermelon farmers and watermelon lovers everywhere: According to produce industry resource ThePacker.com, sales of fresh-cut fruit in grocery stores are up more than 23 percent since 2005, with pineapple and watermelon leading the way among the best-selling fruits.
The sales jump is attributed to increases in both supply and demand. Experts quoted in the article point out that not only are people eating more fresh-cut fruit, but more stores are stocking it.
I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m pretty sure the increase in my own watermelon eating over the past several years will account for 2 or 3 percent of that 23 percent boost. In that time, I’ve gone from being a seasonal watermelon eater (and even then, only occasionally) to being a year-round consumer with a constant and insatiable hunger for watermelon. It’s an addiction, no question about it, and one that I’m in no hurry to cure!