Melon seeds market in Nigeria

Earlier Report Observations

Nigeria's melon seed market volume began at 585.1 thousand tons in 2018, supported by broader government funding initiatives for seed growers, including a five-year development plan aiming to boost production. Persistent challenges such as limited mechanization and processing infrastructure, however, contributed to a decline to 567.5 thousand tons in 2019. The market recovered sharply to 592.9 thousand tons in 2020, driven by enhanced farmer organization into cooperatives and access to agricultural credit through schemes like the anchor borrowers program, which encouraged expanded cultivation.

After the peak, market volume eased to 581.8 thousand tons in 2021, a period of stabilization where adoption of digital farming tools and emphasis on value addition began to shape production practices. In 2022, a major fire in Nasarawa market destroyed melon seeds valued at over 150 million naira, directly reducing available supply and contributing to a slight market dip to 580.7 thousand tons.

By 2023, production demonstrated resilience, increasing to 585.2 thousand tons, returning to levels similar to the start of the period and reflecting the underlying stability of Nigeria's melon seed sector.

Production melon seeds in Nigeria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria was the world's largest producer of melon seeds.

Top producers of melon seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of melon seeds, 2017-2020

In 2020, Nigeria produced 592.9 thousand tons of melon seeds, marking a 4.5% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 4.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 3.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Nigeria in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports melon seeds from Nigeria

Exports in kind, kg

Nigeria's melon seed exports grew for the second consecutive year. In 2019, exports reached 36 432 kg, representing a substantial increase of 3 948.0% from 2018. Between 2017 and 2019, exports surged by 648 156.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1 764.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nigeria in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Germany was the primary destination for Nigeria's melon seed exports, accounting for 97.6% of total export volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited considerable volatility during this period. Exports peaked in 2019 and reached their lowest point in 2018, with a 22-fold difference between these years. In 2019, Nigeria exported melon seeds worth 74.1 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp year-over-year increase of 2 077.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 3.4 thousand US dollars, when exports declined by 19.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany remained the dominant market for Nigeria's melon seed exports, representing 90.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports melon seeds to Nigeria

Imports in kind, kg

Import volumes showed significant fluctuations over the observed period. Imports reached their highest level in 2020 and their lowest in 2019, with an 80-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Nigeria imported approximately 4 457 kg of melon seeds, a dramatic increase of 7 858.8% compared to the previous year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 56 kg, when imports fell by 92.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nigeria in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Ethiopia was the leading supplier of melon seeds to Nigeria, contributing 84.5% of total import volume, while other countries accounted for the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance displayed noticeable fluctuations throughout the period. Imports peaked in 2020 and hit their lowest point in 2018, with a 62-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Nigeria's melon seed imports totaled 101.9 thousand US dollars, a sharp rise of 3 078.0% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1.6 thousand US dollars, when imports declined by 20.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Ethiopia dominated Nigeria's melon seed import structure in value terms, consistently representing 91.9% of total imports.

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

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