Melons market in Chile

Earlier Report Observations

The Chilean fresh melon market opened the period at 44 507 t in 2018, supported by an INDAP initiative that strengthened short supply chains via peasant markets, improving direct access for small producers to urban consumers. Market volume dipped slightly to 43 505 t in 2019 before rising by 10% to a period high of 48 117 t in 2020.

Following the 2020 peak, market volume contracted to 43 465 t in 2021. In 2022, the launch of an FIA project aimed at developing innovative melon cultivars for fresh processing helped boost domestic production, contributing to a modest market recovery to 44 173 t. However, a decline in output led the market volume to fall to 42 210 t in 2023.

The market remained focused on domestic consumption, dominated by the Tuna and Calameño varieties. In 2022, a shortage of local fruit drove wholesale price increases and higher imports from Brazil, while growing interest in export-oriented varieties like piel de sapo signaled potential market diversification. By 2025, breeding efforts continued to focus on expanding the variety offering for the national market.

Production melons in Chile

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of melons, 2018-2021

World map of production of melons, 2018-2021

Chile's melon production reached 42 103 tonnes in 2021, marking a significant 10.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production declined by 4.9%, which translates to an average annual reduction of 1.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 47 000 tonnes, with that year also seeing the largest year-over-year increase of 8.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Chile in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports melons from Chile

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Chile exported 0.1 tonnes of melons, representing a sharp 55.0% drop from the previous year. Over the three-year span from 2018 to 2020, exports fell by 48.7%, with an average annual decline of 20.0%. The peak export volume occurred in 2019 at 0.2 tonnes, which also saw the largest year-over-year increase of 13.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Chile in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the United Kingdom was by far the dominant buyer of Chilean melons, accounting for 92.8% of total export volumes.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Chile in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed considerable volatility during this period. Export values peaked in 2019 at 0.6 thousand US dollars and hit their lowest point in 2020 at 0.2 thousand US dollars, creating a 3.8-fold difference between these years. The 2020 figure represented a 73.7% decrease from 2019. The largest year-over-year increase in export value was recorded in 2019 at 24.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Chile in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Chile's melon exports in value terms were heavily concentrated on the United Kingdom, which accounted for 92.0% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Chile in value, 2018-2021

Imports melons to Chile

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed an unstable pattern throughout the period. The lowest point came in 2019 with 132 tonnes, while imports peaked in 2021 at 1 362 tonnes, representing a 10.3-fold increase between these years. The 2021 volume marked a 21.9% increase over the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 41.4% drop, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2020 at 745.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Chile in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil was the dominant source for Chile's melon imports by volume, accounting for 76.5% of total imports, with the remainder distributed among several smaller markets.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Chile in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Import values reached their lowest point in 2019 at 56.3 thousand US dollars and climbed to their peak in 2021 at 925.0 thousand US dollars, representing a 16-fold increase between these years. The 2021 figure showed a dramatic 41.9% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 48.9% drop, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2020 at 1 059.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Chile in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

During the 2018-2021 period, Brazil accounted for 89.6% of Chile's total melon import value, with the remaining imports coming from multiple smaller trading partners.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Chile in value, 2018-2021