Buy what fruitsWhat's in season at Singapore fruit stalls, and which country to look for.

Watermelon

西瓜 · tembikai

Watermelon in October (this month)

Look for Malaysia

This origin is in fresh-crop season. Thailand is stored fruit.

MalaysiaThailandChinaJapanUSASpainAustralia
Fresh cropStored / lateNot shipping
Fresh crop now (1)
MY
MalaysiaJohor, Pahang, Kelantan
Fresh crop
Red seeded & seedless, yellow flesh, mini watermelon
Harvested all year
The everyday Singapore watermelon. Grown all year with only short gaps after heavy monsoon rain (around Nov–Jan).
Stored or late season (1)
TH
ThailandCentral & northeast
Stored
Red & yellow seedless, mini watermelon
About 10 months since harvest
Grown all year, best in the dry season Dec–Apr.
Skip this month (5)
CN
ChinaHainan
Off season
Kylin, small seedless
Not shipping now
Hainan supplies the winter and spring crop before mainland China's summer harvest.
JP
JapanKumamoto, Tottori, Yamagata
Off season
Premium round, Densuke black
Not shipping now
Spring crop from Kumamoto, summer crop further north. Gift fruit, very pricey.
US
USAFlorida, Texas, California
Off season
Seedless
Not shipping now
Summer only and rarely exported this far. Unlikely to be on Singapore shelves.
ES
SpainAlmería, Murcia
Off season
Seedless
Not shipping now
Europe's main exporter, but almost all goes within Europe.
AU
AustraliaQueensland, NSW
Off season
Seedless, Candy Red, mini melons
Not shipping now
Peak in the Australian summer. Mostly sold at home, and only occasionally exported to Singapore.

How to pick at the shelf

  • Field spotA creamy-yellow patch where it lay on the ground. White means picked too early.
  • WeightHeavy for its size.
  • SoundKnock it: a deep, hollow thump.
  • RindDull, not shiny. Brown webbing 'sugar spots' are a good sign.
  • Cut melonDeep red flesh, dark seeds, no white streaks.

At home

KeepCounter whole, fridge cut
Lasts1 week whole, 3–4 days cut

Cover cut faces with cling wrap so the flesh doesn't pick up fridge smells.

Buying tips (3)
  • Watermelon is the opposite of apples: nearby tropical origins (Malaysia, Thailand) beat far-away ones almost all year.
  • Look for a creamy-yellow field spot and a dull rind. A shiny melon is often underripe.
  • Knock it: a deep, hollow sound usually means a ripe, juicy melon.

Common questions

When is watermelon season in Singapore?
Malaysia: all year; Thailand: Dec–Mar; China: Jan–Apr; Japan: May–Aug; USA: Jul–Aug; Spain: Jun–Aug; Australia: Dec–Mar. Fresh-crop months by origin.
Which country's watermelon is best in October?
Look for Malaysia.
How do I pick a ripe watermelon?
Field spot: A creamy-yellow patch where it lay on the ground. White means picked too early. Weight: Heavy for its size. Sound: Knock it: a deep, hollow thump. Rind: Dull, not shiny. Brown webbing 'sugar spots' are a good sign. Cut melon: Deep red flesh, dark seeds, no white streaks.
How should I store watermelon?
Counter whole, fridge cut. Lasts 1 week whole, 3–4 days cut. Cover cut faces with cling wrap so the flesh doesn't pick up fridge smells.

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