Texas watermelon production reaches new heights with Caldwell family business

CALDWELL, Texas (KBTX) -As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, watermelons are in high demand across Texas. With over 600 million pounds harvested annually, Texas is one of the leading states in watermelon production. A significant portion of this figure comes from the Brazos Valley, home to Wiggins Watermelons in Caldwell, where millions of watermelons are prepared for shipment each year.

Wiggins Watermelons, a fifth-generation family business, has established itself as one of the largest growers and shippers in Texas. Jody Wiggin, one of the owners, explained the scale of their operation, saying,

“We ship watermelon pretty much from May through October, but the two weeks before the Fourth of July are some of the most hectic of the year. We should ship around 600 to 700 loads during this period from multiple locations,” said Wiggins.”

Each load contains approximately 3,000 watermelons. The success of Wiggins Watermelons is partly attributed to the unique soil in the Brazos Valley.

“The Brazos Bottom has a really nice flavor to the watermelon,” said Wiggin. “The soil’s rich flavor is heavy, and a lot of your flavor is indicative of what type of soil you’re in,” Wiggins added.

Robert Johnson, a BBQ and catering company owner from Waco, travels specifically for these watermelons and other local food supplies for his business

“These are some of the best watermelons in Texas right here, Wiggins Watermelons,” he said. “I get Wiggins watermelons and combine them with RJ’s Custom BBQ and Slovacek’s sausage. It’s an unbeatable combination.”

Wiggins Watermelons employs over 300 workers to ensure that consumers have access to the most succulent and flavorful watermelon for their backyard BBQs and Fourth of July festivities. Texas A&M AgriLife notes that watermelon production in the state exceeds $160 million annually.

The Wiggins family’s long-standing history in the business underscores their dedication and expertise.

“We’ve learned a lot over the years,” said Wiggin. “I’d like to think we do a really, really good job. We have a good consumer base that follows us everywhere we go.”

The family also operates a fruit stand specializing in watermelons, located on the corner of F.M. 50 and F.M. 60 near the town of Snook. This stand has become a local favorite, offering some of the best watermelons in Texas.

As Texans prepare for the holiday, Wiggins Watermelons ensures that a fresh, juicy watermelon will be within reach for many.

“The soil and the seeding, and how they handle them make Wiggins watermelons special,” said Johnson. “You gotta handle watermelon right, even after you pick them, because you don’t want bruised melons, and they do a good job with them.”

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