Melons market in Dominican Republic

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh melons in the Dominican Republic expanded from 40 thousand t in 2018 to 44 thousand t in 2019, supported by the operations of Melysol. This French-capital company in San Pedro de Macorís employed advanced cultivation techniques and free-zone benefits, boosting production quality and export readiness. A sharp drop to 27 thousand t occurred in 2020, followed by a gradual recovery.

Exports became a key growth driver from 2021 onward. In 2022, melon exports reached 1,477.5 t valued at US$1.2 million, led by Melysol's adaptation to international markets like the United States, France, and Japan. This external demand helped push domestic production to 45 thousand t by 2023, exceeding pre-2020 volumes.

Government initiatives, including the 2020 Year of Food Consolidation and MERCADOM's strategic plan to strengthen fresh produce supply chains, provided underlying support. The global melon market, with the U.S. as the dominant importer, shaped export opportunities throughout the period.

Production melons in Dominican Republic

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of melons, 2017-2020

World map of production of melons, 2017-2020

In 2020, the Dominican Republic produced 27 300 tons of melons, marking a sharp year-over-year decline of 38.0%. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 33.7%, which translates to an annualized decrease of 12.8%. The peak production occurred in 2019, reaching 44 037 tons, with the largest annual increase also recorded that year at 9.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Dominican Republic in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports melons from Dominican Republic

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the observed timeframe. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 at 436 tons, representing a significant 68.8% contraction compared to the previous year. In contrast, the peak was recorded in 2019 at 1 398 tons, resulting in a 3.2-fold variation between these two years. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019, surging by 96.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—the United States, France, and Jamaica—collectively accounted for 87.6% of the Dominican Republic's total melon exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year period of growth, melon exports from the Dominican Republic declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 903 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 58.6% reduction from the prior year. Over the 2017–2020 span, exports decreased by 46.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 18.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 182 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual increase also in 2019 at 15.6%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, France, the United States, and Belgium were the dominant partners in value terms, accounting for 54.7%, 22.7%, and 10.2% of exports, respectively. Together, these three markets represented 87.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports melons to Dominican Republic

Imports in kind, t

The import market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Imports peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2018 at just 1 ton, creating a dramatic 1 084-fold gap between these years. In 2020, import volumes rose to 113 tons, a substantial 129.7% increase compared to 2019. The largest annual decline occurred in 2018, plummeting by 99.9%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019, soaring by 6 188.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Guatemala, the United States, and Chile emerged as the primary sources for melon imports in volume terms, contributing 14.7%, 0.8%, and 0.7% respectively. Collectively, these three countries represented 16.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data indicates irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Import values reached their highest point in 2017 and their lowest in 2018 at 2 thousand US dollars, resulting in a 323-fold variation. In 2020, imports climbed to 59 thousand US dollars, up by 49.3% from the previous year. The largest annual decline was in 2018, dropping by 99.7%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 1 687.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala, the United States, and Chile held the largest shares of imports in value terms, accounting for 10.0%, 1.5%, and 1.1% respectively. Together, these three countries comprised 12.6% of total import flows.

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

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