Melon seeds market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Production of melon seeds in Asia remained relatively stable from 2018 to 2020, with annual output between 54 500 t and 55 900 t. The market size reached 61 186 t in 2020. During this period, consumer demand shifted towards healthier and more varied snacks, which supported interest in alternative seed products like melon seeds, even as the traditional sunflower seed segment faced declining demand.

The market contracted to 59 635 t in 2021, a period when major snack companies raised sunflower seed prices by 8%-18% due to higher raw material and packaging costs, creating broader price pressure in the snack category. In 2022, market volume surged by nearly 14% to 67 753 t, coinciding with a further 17.7% increase in sunflower seed prices and a growing consumer preference for premium and flavored snacks, which likely made melon seeds a more attractive alternative. By 2023, the market fell back to 60 543 t, influenced by a sharp 30% rise in raw material costs for key inputs and intensified competition from nuts and other snack products.

In 2024, market dynamics continued to evolve with the completion of a new large-scale production facility, which expanded regional supply capacity. Companies also launched a wave of innovative flavors targeting younger consumers, and bulk-snack retail channels gained importance, reflecting ongoing adaptation to changing distribution and taste preferences.

Production melon seeds in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of melon seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of melon seeds, 2017-2020

Asia's melon seeds production declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 55,889 tonnes, but then fell by 2.5% in 2020 to 54,511 tonnes. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 3.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports melon seeds from Asia

Exports in kind, t

Asia's melon seeds exports decreased by 5.5% over the 2017-2020 period, with an annualized growth rate of 1.9%. In 2018, exports peaked at 2,414 tonnes, marking a 14.2% increase from the previous year. However, they then dropped sharply by 23.3% in 2019 to 1,851 tonnes, the lowest point in this period. In 2020, exports recovered slightly to 1,998 tonnes, which was 7.9% higher than in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the core markets for Asia's melon seeds exports in volume terms were Asia, not elsewhere specified (3.3% of exports), Germany (1.2%), and Egypt (1.0%). Together, these three markets accounted for 5.5% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Asia's melon seeds exports in value terms declined by 11.6% between 2017 and 2020, with an annualized rate of 4.0%. In 2018, exports reached their highest value at $94,228 thousand, up 10.2% from the previous year. They then fell by 21.2% in 2019 to $74,265 thousand, the minimum value in this period. In 2020, exports saw a slight increase of 1.8% to $75,609 thousand.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Asia's melon seeds exports in value terms were distributed across numerous countries. The top three destinations were the Netherlands (7.6% of exports), the United States (5.5%), and Asia, not elsewhere specified (3.8%). Collectively, these markets represented only 16.8% of total export flows, indicating a highly diversified export structure.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports melon seeds to Asia

Imports in kind, t

Asia's melon seeds imports grew for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 8,673 tonnes, which was 50.9% higher than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports surged by 351.8%, with an annualized growth rate of 65.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Sudan and Egypt were the key sources for Asia's melon seeds imports in volume terms, together accounting for 39.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Asia's melon seeds imports in value terms increased by 31.4% between 2017 and 2020, equating to an annualized rate of 9.5%. In 2019, imports dropped by 13.6% to $42,544 thousand, the lowest value in this period. However, they rebounded strongly in 2020, rising by 35.1% to $57,457 thousand.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017-2020, the Netherlands (9.5% of imports), Peru (8.4%), and the United States (3.9%) were significant suppliers of melon seeds to Asia in value terms. However, their combined share was only 21.7% of total imports, with the remaining 78.3% spread across many other trading partners.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Asia in value, 2017-2020