For many Chinese people, summer is incomplete without watermelons.

China is by far the world's largest producer and consumer of the fruit. It grows around 60 million tonnes of watermelons every year, accounting for about 60% of global production, according to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Türkiye, the world's second-largest producer, grows less than one-tenth of China's output.

But China's love for the watermelon goes far beyond production figures. Chinese consumers eat an estimated 16 billion watermelons a year, making up nearly 70% of global watermelon consumption. On a crude average, that amounts to more than 50 kilograms per person per year.

So how did the watermelon become such a defining symbol of summer in China?

The story can be traced back centuries. The fruit is believed to have arrived in ancient China from Central Asia and became widely cultivated during the Song Dynasty (960–1279). But its transformation into a summer staple for millions of people was driven by decades of agricultural innovation.

One of the key figures behind this transformation was Wu Mingzhu, a scientist who dedicated more than six decades to researching watermelon farming in Xinjiang.

Before the 1980s, domestically grown watermelons in China often had thick rinds, less juicy flesh and lower sweetness. In 1984, Wu Mingzhu developed the "Zaojia 8424" variety from the 24th batch of seeds. Known for its crisp texture, juicy flesh and stable sweetness, the variety was quickly adopted across 18 provinces, with annual planting area reaching around 700,000 mu (about 46,700 hectares).

Over the decades, Wu and generations of other Chinese experts continued developing high-quality watermelon varieties. These innovations extended the harvest season from early to late varieties, while bringing a wider range of flesh colors, from traditional red to yellow and even multi-colored varieties.

China's vast territory features several major watermelon-growing regions. From winter watermelons in Hainan and early-spring varieties in Yunnan, to summer watermelons in northern China and late-season varieties in the northwest, fresh watermelons are available throughout the year.

Large-scale farming, improved growing techniques and nationwide distribution networks have transformed watermelons from a seasonal treat into an everyday fruit.

Today, China has more than 20 million mu (about 1.33 million hectares) of watermelon farmland, over 3,000 varieties, and domestically grown varieties account for more than 98% of the market.

The result is a fruit that remains affordable and widely accessible. A large watermelon can often be bought for just a few yuan. In some countries, including Japan and South Korea, limited farmland availability and other costs have made watermelons a more premium product, often sold in smaller portions.

In China, however, watermelons are often enjoyed in a much more casual and generous way, from sharing half a watermelon with a spoon on a hot summer day, to exploring new creations such as watermelon ice cream and watermelon drinks.

Behind a simple slice of watermelon lies a story of agricultural progress, changing lifestyles and the everyday joys of abundance.

(Video courtesy of @paofuweidenvhaizi, @wangkaixianguo, @wanguangxindexin, @xiaotianmama)