Ordering Watermelon by the Tonne: A Lorry-Load Guide for Resellers
How watermelon tonne orders work for resellers: estimated tonne prices, which vehicle carries which load, and how to prepare your drop-off point.
Buying watermelon by the tonne is a different job from picking up a few pieces for a party. The load is heavy, the fruit is bulky, and a lorry needs somewhere to stop while it is unloaded. For resellers, wholesalers, roadside stalls and anyone restocking several shops at once, getting the details right before the lorry leaves makes the whole delivery smoother.
This guide explains when ordering by the tonne makes sense, which vehicle carries which load, how to prepare the drop-off point and how to set up a regular schedule. All prices mentioned are estimated prices; today's price, stock and delivery slot are confirmed on WhatsApp before the order is set.
When a tonne makes sense
Most of our varieties can be ordered by the piece from 20 pieces or by the kilo from 50 kg. The tonne price kicks in at one tonne and above, and it is designed for buyers who move fruit in volume and want a simple price for a full load.
Who usually orders by the tonne
Typical tonne buyers include roadside sellers who stack a large pile by the highway, fruit wholesalers who split loads among smaller shops, pasar malam traders who share a lorry with friends on the same circuit, and juice businesses with several counters. Festive periods also bring one-off bulk orders from community groups and event organisers who need a lot of fruit in one go.
If you are unsure whether your volume is big enough, look at what you sell in a week. A stall that clears a few hundred kilos on a busy weekend may still be better off ordering by the kilo, while a group of stalls pooling their orders can reach a tonne quickly.
Estimated tonne prices by variety
These are the estimated prices per tonne for orders of one tonne and above. You will find the same figures, together with the piece and kilo prices, on our price list.
- Mixed-size watermelon: RM1,500 per tonne
- Red seeded watermelon: RM1,600 per tonne
- Seedless watermelon: RM2,500 per tonne
- Mini watermelon: RM4,000 per tonne
Prices move with season and supply, so treat these as a planning guide. The quote you receive states the price for that day and the delivery cost as separate lines.
Mixed-size by the tonne or from 500 kg
Mixed-size watermelon is the reseller's load: assorted sizes in one delivery, ready for you to grade and price yourself. It is sold by the tonne, or by the kilo at an estimated RM1.60/kg with a minimum of 500 kg. That 500 kg option is handy for a stall that wants the variety of sizes without committing to a full tonne.
Van, 1-tonne or 3-tonne lorry
The size of your order decides the vehicle, and the vehicle decides what kind of access you need at the drop-off point. Here is how we match load to vehicle.
Up to 300 kg: van
Smaller orders, up to about 300 kg, go by van. A van fits into most back lanes, residential streets and shop lots, so access is rarely an issue. Kilo and piece orders for a single stall or event usually fall in this range.
Up to 1,000 kg: 1-tonne lorry
Loads from just over 300 kg up to 1,000 kg go on a 1-tonne lorry. This is the vehicle most first-time tonne buyers will see. It still manages narrower roads, but it needs a little more room to park and a clear path to wherever the fruit is being stacked.
Up to 3,000 kg: 3-tonne lorry
Between one and three tonnes, the order goes on a 3-tonne lorry. This is a proper commercial vehicle, so check the route before you order: low archways, tight bends, height limits and soft ground can all make a drop-off difficult. A lay-by, an open yard or a wide shop frontage works best.
More than 3,000 kg: several lorries
Orders above three tonnes are split across several lorries. They may arrive together or on different slots, depending on what is confirmed on WhatsApp. If you are planning a very large load, tell us early so the delivery can be planned around your space and helpers.
How many pieces is a tonne?
It depends on size. Using our average piece weights, seeded and mixed-size melons work out at about 6 kg each, seedless at about 4.5 kg and mini at about 2 kg. A tonne of mini melons is therefore a great many more pieces than a tonne of seeded fruit, which matters when you think about stacking space and how long unloading will take.
Preparing the drop-off point
A smooth delivery depends as much on the drop-off point as on the lorry. Melons are heavy, round and easy to bruise if they are dropped, so a little preparation goes a long way.
Access for the vehicle
Think about where the van or lorry will stop, and whether it can stay there for the time it takes to unload. Gated compounds, guardhouses and loading bays with booking rules should be sorted out before delivery day. If there is a parking restriction outside your stall, mention it so a better spot can be agreed.
Space, shade and stacking
Clear the stacking area in advance. Watermelons keep best when they are stacked on a clean, dry surface out of direct midday sun. Leave a walkway so your helpers can move between the lorry and the pile without stepping around crates.
People to help unload
A tonne of fruit is a lot to move by hand. Arrange helpers at your end, and decide who will count and check the load as it comes off. Our quantity guide is useful here too if you are converting between pieces and kilos.
A quick checklist before delivery day:
- Vehicle can reach and park at the drop-off point
- Height and weight limits on the route are known
- Stacking area is clear, dry and shaded
- Helpers are ready to unload and count
- Someone on site can answer the phone during the slot
Setting up a regular reseller schedule
Many resellers prefer a standing arrangement rather than ordering from scratch each time. We can set up regular supply on an agreed schedule, either weekly or by market day, for stalls, fruit shops, night markets and juice shops. When the season or stock changes, you get early notice so you can adjust your plans or switch varieties.
Splitting a load between varieties
A regular load does not have to be one variety. A roadside seller might take mostly mixed-size fruit with some seedless for buyers who ask. A juice business might combine seeded for blending with a smaller amount of mini melons for retail. Each variety keeps its own pricing unit and minimum, so list them separately when you message us.
Keep a simple record of what sells each week. After a few rounds, you will know whether to move your standing order up or down, and you can tell us before the next delivery is planned.
What to send for a lorry quote
A tonne order involves more planning than a small one, so the more detail you share up front, the faster we can come back with a clear quote. Include:
- Variety, or the split between varieties
- Quantity in tonnes or kilos
- Delivery town and address
- Preferred date, and whether this is a one-off or a regular order
- Access notes: road width, height limits, gates, parking and stacking space
Lorry orders for places such as Kuantan, Kota Bharu or Seremban are planned on WhatsApp, and the delivery date and slot are confirmed when the order is set. Delivery covers Peninsular Malaysia, with the delivery cost stated in your quote.
Ready to plan a lorry load? Send your variety, tonnage, town, date and access notes, and we will confirm today's price, stock and slot. WhatsApp for quote