22.06.2026 17:41
Cultivated as a result of 3 years of R&D in Adana, the Tropical Sunshine watermelon, with its dark green rind and yellow interior, was planted on 300 decares of land. The watermelon, which contains beta-carotene instead of lycopene, will be sold at a price of 25-30 lira per kilogram.
Following a 3-year research and development process in Adana, a watermelon with a dark green rind and yellow flesh, known as Tropical Sunshine, planted across 300 acres nationwide, attracts attention from those who see it.
While the harvest of Adana watermelon, distinguished from other watermelons by its taste, scent, color, and aroma and registered in 2020, continues, agricultural engineer and producer Süleyman Sertli began planting the dark green rind, yellow flesh watermelon known as Tropical Sunshine after a 3-year research and development process. The yellow-fleshed watermelon, planted on 110 acres in the city and 300 acres nationwide, is counting down the days to harvest.
CONTAINS A DIFFERENT PLANT PIGMENT
The yellow-fleshed watermelon, typically grown in tropical climate countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and India, is now also cultivated in our country due to the impact of climate change. In the field, three Tropical Sunshine yellow-fleshed watermelons are planted next to each normal watermelon, with the normal watermelon pollinating the yellow ones. The yellow watermelon contains a different plant pigment called beta-carotene instead of lycopene, which gives red watermelon its color.
PRICIER
While the current field price of Adana watermelon ranges from 14-16 lira per kilogram, the yellow-fleshed watermelon will be sold at 25-30 lira per kilogram at harvest time in the field. While 4-5 tons of normal watermelon are obtained per acre, 7 tons of product can be obtained per acre from yellow watermelon.
"THE PRODUCT'S JOURNEY IS VERY OLD"
Producer Süleyman Sertli, speaking on the subject, stated that the yellow-fleshed watermelon is not a new product, saying, "This product has a much older journey. We tried to create added value in the market again. This year, with its first commercial production, planting began in Çukurova. There is 300 acres of commercial production across Turkey. In the Çukurova region, planting was done on 110 acres."
"ATTRACTS ATTENTION FROM THOSE WHO SEE IT"
Sertli emphasized that they expect high interest in the yellow watermelon, stating, "The field price is between 25-30 lira per kilogram, but being a value-added product and due to its current market supply, we think it will find value at slightly higher prices in the market. The number of farmers requesting it and the interest are quite high. Demand will increase over time. It attracts the attention of everyone who sees it."
"IF IT SEES DEMAND, PLANTING WILL INCREASE NEXT YEAR"
Yüreğir Chamber of Agriculture President Mehmet Akın Doğan emphasized that the taste and aroma of the yellow watermelon are the same as Adana watermelon, saying, "Its taste, aroma, and flavor are almost the same as other watermelons. Adana is a place where many fruit varieties are planted in terms of product diversity and potential. If the watermelon sees demand, its planting will increase in the coming years."