Melons and papayas market in Saudi Arabia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for melons and papayas in Saudi Arabia expanded from 704.8 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 788.9 thousand tons in 2019. This growth was driven by prolonged high temperatures that boosted consumer demand for watermelons, alongside government initiatives under Vision 2030 to increase domestic production for food security. The 2019 potato harvest in Wadi ad-Dawasir also favorably affected fruit prices, making melons more attractive in consumer baskets.

Market volume contracted to 629.6 thousand tons in 2020 before recovering to 752.2 thousand tons in 2021. The recovery was supported by enhanced supply-chain logistics, including the introduction of 75 dedicated trucks for daily watermelon distribution, which improved efficiency. Simultaneously, the issuance of fresh fruit import guidelines with e-licensing requirements facilitated the inflow of varieties not locally available.

In the following years, the market stabilized with modest fluctuations. Despite a slight dip in 2022, strong seasonal sales during the 'Habhab' season in Buraydah reflected sustained consumer interest, and a self-sufficiency rate exceeding 99% bolstered confidence in local produce. By 2023, rising energy and transport costs pushed up prices and contributed to a sharp drop in imports, which weighed on overall market volume even as domestic production increased. The launch of the digital platform 'Kharaj' began shifting distribution channels, making fresh fruit more accessible to consumers.

Production melons and papayas in Saudi Arabia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia ranked 25th globally in melons and papayas production volume.

Top producers of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

World map of production of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

Following a two-year increase, melons and papayas production in Saudi Arabia declined. In 2020, the country produced 574.3 K t, which was 21.6% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 11.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 732.7 K t, marking an 8.7% increase that year.

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

Exports melons and papayas from Saudi Arabia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 124 t, then peaked in 2017, with a 4.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Saudi Arabia exported 375 t of melons and papayas, a 1.3% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 79.5%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 197.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates were the leading destinations for Saudi Arabia's melons and papayas exports in kind. Egypt accounted for 25.5% of exports, Kuwait for 21.7%, and the UAE for 20.3%, together making up 67.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2017, with a 9.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, melons and papayas exports from Saudi Arabia amounted to 141 K $ US, a 57.4% decrease from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018, dropping by 88.4%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 113.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Kuwait formed the main group of destinations for Saudi Arabia's melons and papayas exports in value terms. The UAE accounted for 48.9% of exports, Egypt for 17.4%, and Kuwait for 13.5%, together comprising 79.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports melons and papayas to Saudi Arabia

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports were at their lowest in 2017 and reached their highest in 2019, with a 2.9-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Saudi Arabia imported 55 619 t of melons and papayas, down 1.7% from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 56 581 t, with the largest increase that year of 82.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Jordan, Egypt, and Yemen were the main suppliers of melons and papayas to Saudi Arabia in kind. Jordan accounted for 43.8% of imports, Egypt for 19.6%, and Yemen for 16.9%, together making up 80.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Imports dropped to their minimum in 2017 and climbed to their maximum in 2019, a 2.2-fold shift. In 2020, Saudi Arabia's melons and papayas imports amounted to 30 005 K $ US, down 1.7% compared to 2019. The highest value was in 2019 at 30 532 K $ US, with the largest increase that year of 121.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Jordan, Egypt, and India were the main markets for Saudi Arabia's melons and papayas imports in value terms. Jordan accounted for 34.7% of imports, Egypt for 18.0%, and India for 14.6%, together comprising 67.2% of total import flows.

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

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