In 2025, farmers in the Odessa region continue to expand the area sown with melon crops, responding to high market demand and favorable conditions for growing these crops in the southern region. At the same time, the region is also actively developing fruit gardening, demonstrating growth in both area and volume of harvested crops.

According to the Odessa Regional Military Administration, in 2025, 3.8 thousand hectares of melon crops were sown in the region, which is 101.5% compared to last year. Of the total area, 2.8 thousand hectares are for watermelons, and another 1 thousand hectares are for melons. The main melon plantations are traditionally located in the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, Izmailskyi and Odessa districts.

Despite the active development, the weather conditions this year turned out to be extremely unfavorable. Drought and high temperatures have seriously affected the condition of crops - the plants are in a depressed state, and in order to preserve the harvest, farmers are forced to resort to active irrigation. Nevertheless, farmers hope for a partial recovery of plants with the onset of more favorable weather.

Given the stable growth in demand for watermelons and melons, the Odessa Oblast Agricultural Production Association predicts a further expansion of the sown areas. Already in 2026, it is planned to increase the area under melon crops to 4 thousand hectares. For comparison, in 2024 these crops occupied 3.2 thousand hectares, that is, the increase in two years will be more than 25%.

In parallel with the development of melon growing, the Odessa region is actively engaged in the cultivation of fruit crops. This year, 8.1 thousand hectares were allocated for orchards. In particular, apples occupy 1.3 thousand. ha, cherries - 1.0 thousand ha, peaches - 0.9 thousand ha, plums - 0.8 thousand ha, apricots - 0.7 thousand ha, pears - 0.5 thousand ha, and quinces - 0.2 thousand ha.

By the end of July, the region had already harvested 2.3 thousand hectares of orchards. The total volume of fruit harvest amounted to almost 30 thousand tons - juicy and high-quality fruits that replenish the domestic market and provide products for the processing industry. The Odessa region continues to strengthen its position as one of the leaders in fruit and vegetable production in Ukraine.