Melon seeds market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The domestic market for melon seeds in China expanded significantly from 7 835 t in 2018 to 18 794 t in 2021, primarily due to a sharp contraction in exports. This growth was accelerated in 2020 by increased at-home consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic, which provided a passive boost to melon seed sales. During this period, the dominant market player ChaCha Food raised prices for its melon seeds by 6%-14.5% in 2018 and again by 8-10% in 2021, which tempered the pace of volume growth but did not reverse the overall expansion.

Market volume fell to 14 341 t in 2022 as exports rebounded and domestic producers faced rising costs. It recovered to 17 637 t in 2023 alongside another decline in export volumes, even as ChaCha's core melon seed sales declined. Throughout these fluctuations, ChaCha pursued a dual-driver strategy, diversifying into the nut segment and expanding overseas, which began to alter the market's structure. The company's push into new sales channels, such as volume retail, also captured growth.

In 2024, ChaCha Food invested 3.5 billion yuan to build a new plant in Baotou, increasing annual production capacity for sunflower seeds (a key melon seed type) by 39 000 t. This move aimed to improve efficiency and serve northern markets. The company continued to launch new products, including premium seed varieties, while its overseas revenue grew faster than its domestic performance, reflecting a strategic shift in focus.

Production melon seeds in China

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, China held the 7th position globally in melon seeds production.

Top producers of melon seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of melon seeds, 2017-2020

China's melon seeds production declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 28 016 tonnes, down 1.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 3.3%, with an average annual decrease of 1.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of decline, China's melon seeds production value rebounded. In 2020, output was valued at 115.8 million US dollars, a 15.6% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 2.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 0.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 100.1 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 9.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in China in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports melon seeds from China

Exports in kind, t

Melon seeds exports from China fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 11 660 tonnes, a 31.9% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 35.5%, with an average annual decline of 13.6%. The peak was in 2018 at 20 910 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 15.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam and Thailand remained the top markets for China's melon seeds exports in volume, jointly accounting for 81.4% of total flows, with other partners playing a minor role.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

China's melon seeds exports in value terms declined for the second year running. In 2020, exports amounted to 48.188 million US dollars, a sharp decrease of 20.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 31.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 74.903 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 5.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam (45.8% of export value), the Netherlands (12.4%), and Thailand (9.0%) formed the primary group of destinations for China's melon seeds exports in value, together representing 67.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports melon seeds to China

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, China's melon seeds imports reached 31 tonnes, showing a modest increase of 3.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 44.1%, with an average annual rise of 12.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 3.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 43.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand (52.0% of import volume), Myanmar (26.7%), and Indonesia (8.6%) were the leading sources for China's melon seeds imports in volume, together accounting for 87.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

China imported 9.295 million US dollars worth of melon seeds in 2020, showing little change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 24.5%, with an average annual growth of 7.6%. The highest value was in 2018 at 11.560 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 54.8%, while the largest decline was in 2019 at 20.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand (38.5% of import value), Myanmar (30.8%), and Peru (12.2%) stood out as the main markets for China's melon seeds imports in value, together representing 81.5% of total flows.

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

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