Title: Time is ripe to buy Texas watermelons
Headings: Time is ripe to buy Texas watermelons
Time is ripe to buy Texas watermelons
A ripe time to buy Texas watermelons

Content: Time is ripe to buy Texas watermelons
Business
Time is ripe to buy Texas watermelons
A ripe time to buy Texas watermelons
WILLIAM PACK , San Antonio Express-News
June 29, 2010 Updated: Aug. 3, 2011 12:01 p.m.
Irene Fernandez knocks on watermelons at an H-E-B in San Antonio to see which one she wants to purchase. An oversupply of the fruit this summer means prices could be down by 25 percent from last year. Helen L.. Montoya/San Antonio Express-News
July 4 is shaping up to be especially juicy for watermelon lovers, though growers worry about taking a thumping. The reason is Texas and other major producing states have grown so much of the succulent fruit that the price has tumbled, at times below the point where farmers break even on production costs. "Until Memorial Day, there was a watermelon shortage and high prices," said Tony Anderson, owner of the Texas Melon Exchange in Edinburg. " Since then, it's been the exact opposite." Ron Catlett, general manager of the La Fiesta grocery stores, said with what suppliers are calling a bumper crop of watermelons from the Rio Grande Valley, prices could be down by 25 percent from last year. H-E-B spokeswoman Dya Campos also said prices for watermelons have fallen this year because of abundant supply. While growers hope demand picks up enough to boost prices through the huge July 4 holiday, Anderson is not convinced they will make the money they have in years past.