Watermelon gets a new look with an integrated production model.

Watermelon farming is undergoing a transformation in Brazil. The change follows the example of Spain, where the modernization of production and a focus on quality have raised the sector's standards. In Brazil, farmers, distributors, and retail chains have joined forces to meet the demands of a more discerning consumer.

BASF Agricultural Solutions, through its Nunhems brand, operates strategically in this new scenario. The company promotes an integrated production model that connects the field, distribution, and retail. With this structure, the time between harvest and delivery to store shelves has dropped from one week to as little as 24 hours.

The Pingo Doce variety leads this movement. The fruit grows, on average, 15% per year in volume produced. Weighing around 6 kg, it is seedless, has a high brix level, a dark green peel, and can be tracked via QR Code. The fruit stands out for its flavor, convenience, and the sustainable criteria adopted in its production.

Presence in Brazil

Present in Brazil for seven years, Pingo Doce was inspired by a successful model in Spain. In the European country, watermelons with similar characteristics expanded production and consumption. In Brazil, the adaptation of the model connected the entire production chain.

“Everyone wins when we add value to the product,” says Golmar Beppler Neto, sales manager for Nunhems in Brazil. According to him, Pingo Doce's success lies in the connection between producer, wholesaler, and retailer, focusing on the excellence of the fruit delivered to the consumer.

Modernization has also reached the field. Nunhems offers technical support and guidance in management and marketing. The goal is not limited to increased productivity. Producers seek vertical integration, investing in seedlings and processing on their property.

Production in Teixeira de Freitas

Pedro Orita, a producer from Teixeira de Freitas, cultivates Pingo Doce on 600 hectares. He achieves productivity above the national average: 60 tons per hectare, with peaks of up to 80 t/ha. The partnership with BASF helped him understand cultivation as part of an integrated chain.

With drip irrigation and practices to protect pollinators, production becomes more sustainable. Traceability ensures reliability. The fruit goes directly to distribution centers, with processing done at the farm's own packing house.

"The increased value of watermelon allows for new investments. Now, every link in the chain is a partner," says Orita.

Currently, Brazil produces 35 tons of this variety per year. The main producing regions are in Bahia, Pernambuco, Goiás, São Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul, and Minas Gerais.