Events - 23-11-2025
Melon days South Africa: Connecting chain partners
Around 100 visitors joined us for the Melon Days, including major retail, processing and export companies on day one, and growers during dedicated time slots on day two. Jandri Venter, Crop Specialist at Rijk Zwaan South Africa looks back: “Interest in melons and watermelons is booming. Hearing the excitement during the demo days around our introductions makes me proud of the steps we’re taking.”
Highlight: Yellow seedless watermelon
One of the innovations during the Melon Days was our yellow seedless watermelon, Tropical Sunshine RZ, developed with supermarket chain Woolworths. “Our Tropical range combines great taste with firm flesh for processing,” explains Jandri. “By positioning yellow-flesh watermelons as an exclusive product rather than replacing red-flesh varieties, we expanded the category without influencing existing sales of red watermelons.”
Market trends: Taste priority over size
The watermelon market is on a growth path in South Africa, Jandri continuous. “Large, elongated watermelons will remain the dominant segment, but we are seeing strong growth in retail demand for watermelons with superior eating quality. Taste now takes priority over size.” Retailers are also looking for personal-sized watermelons to meet convenience trends.
The melon market, on the other hand, is more challenging. This makes continuous innovation essential – to deliver a consistently enjoyable eating experience, ensure well-timed harvests, and maintain sweetness and quality. That is why we have melons like the Harvest Indicator Cayucos Beach, as well as our Orange Honeydew.
Managing Director Leonard Oberholzer adds: “We started organising Melon Days in 2022, and this year’s edition was our biggest yet. In 2024, we even took a group of chain partners to Brazil, ‘the global melon producing country’, to learn about exports and large-scale growing practices.”
About Rijk Zwaan South Africa
Rijk Zwaan South Africa operates from Krugersdorp, with activities across all vegetable-producing regions. “We are in the process of looking for our own research and demo facility – a major milestone for us,” says Leonard. The new location will include a high-tech greenhouse, medium and low-tech tunnels for diverse crop trials, and solar-powered energy independence. Our new facilities will drive innovation, training, and partnerships, strengthening our local position in crops such as cucumbers, lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, and brassicas, he concludes.