By April 8, 2021 A variety of weather-related issues have delayed planting or necessitated replanting in some watermelon production areas around the country, which may lead to a delayed harvest of a week or more in those locations. But in general, “we are very optimistic about this season,” Mark Arney, executive director of the National Watermelon Promotion Board in Winter Springs, FL, told The Produce News. “Overall, it is shaping up to have a really quality watermelon crop.” Most of the watermelons in the U.S. market were coming from northern Mexico, with production below normal due to weather issues, although quality remained high as growers were “being cautious about what they are harvesting,” Arney said. Imports from Central America, predominantly Honduras and Guatemala, were also down, but quality remained good.