Melons market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the melon market in Eastern Europe expanded consistently, with volume rising from 260.2 thousand tons to 322.8 thousand tons. This growth was propelled by sustained state subsidies and support programs for agriculture, which encouraged area expansion and adoption of improved agrotechnologies. The entry of new regional producers added to domestic supply. The COVID‑19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted logistics for imported melons, shifting demand toward locally grown fruit and further stimulating home production. By 2021, the launch of new large‑scale growing and processing facilities increased output, while import restrictions and sanctions prompted a focus on developing domestic capacity.

A sharp contraction occurred in 2022, when the market volume dropped to 207.8 thousand tons—a fall of 35% from the previous year—affecting both production and imports. Although government import‑substitution policies and financial support for the agricultural sector remained in place, broader economic and supply‑chain challenges led to the decline. The market began to recover in 2023, rising to 227.5 thousand tons, indicating a gradual adaptation of the supply chain to the new conditions.

Throughout the period, regulatory requirements for traceability and labeling were tightened, including the introduction of mandatory electronic labeling systems for fresh fruit. Consumer preferences also shifted toward local and organic produce, which influenced market segmentation and product offerings. These structural changes shaped the business environment, while the overall market volume was primarily driven by larger production and trade dynamics.

Production melons in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of melons, 2017-2020

World map of production of melons, 2017-2020

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has seen its melon production grow for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 221.7 thousand tons of melons, marking a 4.7% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 36.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 11.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has experienced a third consecutive year of growth in melon production value. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 708 million US dollars, up 15.3% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, the value increased by 44.2%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 13.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports melons from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, melon exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) fell in 2020. Exports totaled 1 278 tons, a sharp decline of 48.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 39.6%, with an average annual decline of 15.5%. The peak was in 2019 at 2 488 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 14.2% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for melon exports in kind from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were Germany (1.4% of exports), Austria (1.2%), and Lithuania (0.9%). Together, these three countries accounted for 3.5% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of melon exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) dropped in 2020. Exports were valued at 2 414 thousand US dollars, down 11.6% from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 19.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 730 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 18.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the value of melon exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was relatively evenly distributed. Germany (4.1% of export value), Austria (3.2%), and Lithuania (2.3%) together accounted for just 9.7% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports melons to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, t

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has increased its melon imports for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 72 313 tons, up 8.4% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 11.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.7%. The lowest point was in 2018 at 53 886 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 16.9% that year. In contrast, 2019 recorded the largest increase at 23.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

During 2017-2020, melon imports in kind to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were spread across many markets. Kazakhstan (17.4% of imports), Spain (12.9%), and Greece (12.4%) together made up 42.6% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has seen its melon import value rise for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at 53 504 thousand US dollars, a modest increase of 9.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 20.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The country composition of melon import value from 2017 to 2020 was dispersed. Spain (14.9% of import value), Brazil (12.8%), and Germany (12.3%) together accounted for 40.1% of total flows, with the remaining 59.9% distributed among a wide range of other countries.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020