This commodity profile was rendered from
knowledge.domain = commodity, key = honeydew(GDF v2.0, 3168 attributes, 28 sections).Renderer:
commodity_profile_rendererv1.0.0. Source row version:knowledge_forge_gdf_v2.0_export_2026-04-06.
Identity & Botany
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Canonical name | Honeydew |
| Scientific name | Cucumis melo var. inodorus |
| Family / Genus | Cucurbitaceae / Cucumis |
| Produce category | Melon |
| Produce subcategory | Winter Melon |
| FSMA 204 covered? | No |
| PLU — conventional | 4318 |
| PLU — organic | 94318 |
| AGROVOC URI | c_3620 |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s01_identity. External: FAO AGROVOC.
Varieties
Estimated commercial varieties: 25.
| Variety | Market share | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Orange Flesh (Orange Dew) | 35% | Orange flesh, sweeter than green varieties, 5-7 lbs, smooth rind, high sugar content (12-14° Brix), increasingly popular |
| Green Flesh (Traditional) | 45% | Light green flesh, smooth creamy-white to pale yellow rind, 4-8 lbs, mild sweet flavor (10-12° Brix), classic honeydew type |
| Earlidew | 8% | Early maturing hybrid, 4-5 lbs, green flesh, shorter growing season (80-85 days), good for northern climates |
| Honey Gold | 6% | Golden-orange flesh, 5-6 lbs, sweet flavor profile, excellent disease resistance, developed for commercial production |
| Temptation | 3% | Small to medium (3-4 lbs), very sweet, individual-serving size, green flesh, bred for convenience market |
| Honey Orange | 2% | Deep orange flesh, 5-7 lbs, high sugar content, extended shelf life, disease resistant, growing market presence |
| Golden Honeymoon | 0.5% | Golden-tinted rind when ripe, 6-7 lbs, green flesh, visual ripeness indicator, good for retail |
| Venus | 0.3% | High yield hybrid, uniform size (5-6 lbs), green flesh, powdery mildew resistance, popular with growers |
| Honey Pearl | 0.2% | White/ivory flesh, 4-5 lbs, crisp texture, novel appearance, specialty market variety |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s04_varieties.variety_summaries.
Post-Harvest Handling
Temperature
- Chilling injury threshold: 45°F.
- Freezing point: 30.5°F. Hard limit.
- Handling urgency: 3 / 5.
Ethylene
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Production class | moderate |
| Production rate (20°C) | 3 μL/kg·h typical (1–5) |
| Sensitivity class | low |
| Sensitivity threshold | 100 ppm |
| Climacteric? | Yes |
Agent note: Honeydew continues to ripen post-harvest with softening and increased sweetness but does not develop additional sugar after harvest. Monitor for optimal ripeness before shipping to maximize quality.
Mixed-load compatibility
melons_squash
Operational flags
- Can be top-iced? No
- Light-sensitive? No
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s07_harvest_post_harvest.
Market Intelligence
Demand
Stable to slightly declining. Honeydew represents approximately 10-12% of total US melon consumption, with competition from cantaloupe and watermelon. Ethnic markets show stronger demand, particularly Hispanic and Asian consumers. Foodservice demand steady but retail per-capita consumption has declined 8% over past decade.
Elasticity
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Price elasticity | -0.85 |
| Income elasticity | 0.35 |
| Organic premium elasticity | -1.2 |
Market share by variety
| Variety | Share |
|---|---|
| Green Flesh Honeydew | 82% |
| Orange Flesh Honeydew | 15% |
| Golden Honeydew | 3% |
Pack sizes
- 5-count (40-42 lbs)
- 6-count (40-42 lbs)
- 5s/6s mixed count (38-42 lbs)
- 4-count (36-40 lbs)
- Single layer flats
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s09_market_intelligence.
Rendered by commodity_profile_renderer v1.0.0 on 2026-05-15T22:30:00.000Z.