Melon seeds market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for melon seeds in Eastern Asia expanded strongly from 2018 to 2021, with volume growing from 7.9 thousand tonnes to 19.0 thousand tonnes. This growth was primarily fueled by rising consumer demand for healthy and diverse snack options. Major market players responded by enhancing their product ranges with new flavors and adjusting prices to reflect higher raw material costs.

After peaking in 2021, market volume contracted by 24% to 14.4 thousand tonnes in 2022, as broader snack consumption trends shifted away from traditional seed products. The market rebounded in 2023, reaching 17.7 thousand tonnes, driven by continuous product innovation such as the launch of novel flavor variants aimed at attracting younger consumers.

In 2024, the industry focused on capacity expansion and channel diversification. A key producer completed a new manufacturing facility in Baotou, significantly increasing output potential. Companies also accelerated their entry into new retail formats like membership and discount snack stores, while continuing to introduce innovative flavor collaborations to stimulate demand.

Production melon seeds in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of melon seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of melon seeds, 2017-2020

Eastern Asia's melon seeds production volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, 28,016 tonnes of melon seeds were produced in the region, marking a slight decrease of 1.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 3.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of decline, melon seeds production in Eastern Asia rebounded in value terms. In 2020, the output was valued at 119.3 million US dollars, showing a significant increase of 15.7% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 103.1 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with an 8.4% drop.

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

Exports melon seeds from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Eastern Asia's melon seeds exports declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 11,641 tonnes, representing a decrease of 31.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 35.6%, with a compound annual decline rate of 13.6%. The peak was in 2018 at 20,845 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 15.3% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam and Thailand accounted for the majority of melon seeds exports from Eastern Asia in volume terms, while other markets played smaller individual roles.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Melon seeds exports from Eastern Asia in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value amounted to 49,556 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp drop of 20.0% from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 30.8%, with an annualized decline rate of 11.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 76,295 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 6.6% that year.

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

During 2017-2020, Vietnam, the Netherlands, and Thailand were the primary destinations for melon seeds exports from Eastern Asia in value terms, with shares of 45.0%, 12.2%, and 9.0% respectively. Together, these three markets accounted for 66.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports melon seeds to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

Melon seeds imports into Eastern Asia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 706 tonnes, up by 8.0% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 2,421.5%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 193.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Thailand, Myanmar, and Indonesia were the key sources for melon seeds imports into Eastern Asia in volume terms, with shares of 39.6%, 18.0%, and 5.9% respectively. Combined, they represented 63.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, melon seeds imports into Eastern Asia in value terms reached 12,263 thousand US dollars, showing a 6.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 33.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.1%. The highest value was in 2018 at 14,201 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 54.7% that year, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 18.5% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand, Myanmar, and Peru formed the main cluster of markets for melon seeds imports into Eastern Asia in value terms, with shares of 36.3%, 24.6%, and 13.6% respectively. Together, they accounted for 74.4% of total import flows.

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

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