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This year’s Local Organic Watermelon Festival is set to take place at Maritime Square in Tsing Yi for four days starting this Friday. The event will feature the debut of a new watermelon variety, “Reyan 2K,” distinguished by its green skin with dark green stripes, thin rind, and sweet red flesh with a sugar content reaching up to 12 degrees.

Alongside the new arrival, several long-standing favorites will also be available, including “Super Sweet Black Angel 168,” “Diana,” and the yellow-fleshed “Hami Yellow Flesh.”

These varieties boast sweetness levels between 10 and 12 degrees and are priced at HK$40 to HK$50 per pound, similar to last year’s rates.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department noted that this year’s weather, which has been hotter and relatively dry, has been favorable for watermelon cultivation.

The newly introduced “Reyan 2K” variety is part of the “Reyan” series developed by the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences.

Due to its thin rind, which makes it unsuitable for long-distance transport, this variety is particularly well-suited for local cultivation in Hong Kong, said the department.

(Marco Lam)

Luscious homegrown watermelon on offer with new "Reyan" series showcased