Melons and papayas market in Serbia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh melons and papayas in Serbia showed volatile dynamics from 2018 to 2023. The market volume fell from 202.9 thousand tons in 2018 to 162.4 thousand tons in 2020, then recovered to a peak of 192.2 thousand tons in 2022, before declining again to 172.3 thousand tons in 2023.

The market contraction in 2019 and 2020 was primarily driven by a sharp drop in domestic production, which decreased from 199.4 thousand tons to 141.3 thousand tons over the two years. This decline outweighed a simultaneous increase in imports, which more than tripled from 7.0 thousand tons to 25.4 thousand tons. The subsequent rebound in 2021 and 2022 was led by a recovery in production, which reached 183.6 thousand tons in 2022, even as imports halved from their 2021 high.

In 2023, the market shrank once more as production fell to 161.0 thousand tons. A rise in imports to 14.9 thousand tons was insufficient to offset the lower domestic output, resulting in a final market volume of 172.3 thousand tons for the year.

Production melons and papayas in Serbia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

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

Serbia's production of melons and papayas has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 141.3 thousand tonnes, marking a significant drop of 13.6% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 42.9%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 17.1%.

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

Exports melons and papayas from Serbia

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Serbia's exports of melons and papayas rebounded in 2020, reaching 4 347 tonnes—a 28.2% increase from the previous year. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports overall decreased by 11.8%, with an average annual decline of 4.1%. The lowest point was in 2019 at 3 390 tonnes, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018, falling by 28.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Slovenia, and Czechia were the top destinations for Serbia's melons and papayas exports by volume. Germany accounted for 28.6% of exports, Slovenia for 17.9%, and Czechia for 16.7%. Together, these three countries made up 63.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Serbia's export value of melons and papayas increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 1 851 thousand US dollars—a dramatic rise of 62.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 51.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 083 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 11.2% that year.

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

In terms of value from 2017 to 2020, Germany, Czechia, and Slovenia were the leading destinations for Serbia's melons and papayas exports. Germany held 45.7% of the export value, Czechia 14.6%, and Slovenia 14.5%. Combined, these three countries represented 74.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports melons and papayas to Serbia

Imports in kind, t

Serbia's imports of melons and papayas showed notable fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. In 2020, imports surged to 25 443 tonnes, a sharp increase of 122.1% compared to 2019. The lowest point was in 2018 at 6 959 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 40.0% that year. Overall, imports varied significantly, with a 3.7-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece, Albania, and North Macedonia were the primary sources for Serbia's melons and papayas imports by volume. Greece supplied 61.3% of imports, Albania 18.3%, and North Macedonia 11.9%. Together, these three countries accounted for 91.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Serbia's import value of melons and papayas experienced significant fluctuations between 2017 and 2020. In 2020, imports reached 7 806 thousand US dollars, a sudden advance of 74.0% from the previous year. The lowest value was in 2018 at 2 261 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 26.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 98.4%. Overall, import levels varied by 3.5 times between the high in 2020 and the low in 2018.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Greece, Albania, and Spain were the top sources for Serbia's melons and papayas imports by value. Greece accounted for 57.6% of import value, Albania for 15.5%, and Spain for 11.2%. Collectively, these three countries made up 84.3% of total import flows.

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

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