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Thewatermelon is a symbol of the region ofKherson Oblast, Ukraine. More than 50% of the watermelons in Ukraine are produced in Kherson Oblast and are shipped upriver toKyiv.
Since 24 July 2024, the Kherson watermelon has anappellation of originin Ukraine,[1] meaning that all stages of its production process are guaranteed to take place in its area of origin, which exclusively determines the product's characteristic qualities.[2] Specifically, it is grown on sandy soils ofKakhovka,Kherson, andSkadovsk raions, yielding dense, crunchy, and sweet (at least 12 °Bx) fruits. Kherson watermelons are round or slightly oblong, with an elongation ratio of 1 to 1.2. Thenitrate content is limited to 40 mg/kg.[3]
Watermelons were thought to have been introduced byCrimean Tatars – a Turkic ethnic group and an indigenous peoples ofCrimea – before the 18th century. During World War II, residents of the Kherson region would make molasses or jam from boiled-down watermelons when there were restrictions on sugar usage. Prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began in 2022, a yearly tradition was televised, with a barge full of watermelons leaving Kherson for Kyiv along theDnieper river.[4]
During theRussian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequentRussian occupation, farmers in the region who usually produced watermelons were unable to do so. The watermelon became a symbol of Kherson.[5][6][7][8] At the Ukrainian stand atCOP27, a watermelon was displayed with a Ukrainian flag.[9] Thepresident of Ukraine,Volodymyr Zelenskyy, joked upon arriving innewly liberated Kherson in November 2022 that he travelled there because he "wanted a watermelon".[4][10]Ukrposhta, the Ukrainian national postal services company, released watermelon-themed stamps commemorating theliberation of Kherson.[11]
