Melons market in ECOWAS

Earlier Report Observations

The melon market volume in ECOWAS showed notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. It expanded from 76 thousand tonnes in 2018 to a peak of 108 thousand tonnes in 2020, before contracting to 90 thousand tonnes in 2021 and 86 thousand tonnes in 2022. A partial recovery followed in 2023, with the market reaching 94 thousand tonnes.

The market contraction in 2022 occurred alongside a reported approximate 30% increase in melon production costs, which included packaging and transport, putting pressure on local output. Simultaneously, favorable summer weather in major European markets like France boosted consumption and demand for imported fruit, leading to increased export volumes from ECOWAS. These factors reduced the volume available for domestic consumption. In 2023, a return of hot weather stimulated broader demand for melons, supporting the market's recovery despite continued strong export growth.

Throughout this period, regional production grew steadily from 87 thousand tonnes to 125 thousand tonnes, while exports more than tripled, indicating a growing orientation toward external markets. Import volumes remained consistently low, under 1.1 thousand tonnes annually.

Production melons in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of melons, 2017-2020

World map of production of melons, 2017-2020

ECOWAS has seen its melon production grow for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 120.4 thousand tonnes of melons, marking a 13.7% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 40.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 11.9%.

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

Exports melons from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of decline, melon exports from ECOWAS to international markets rebounded in 2020. Exports reached 13 604 tonnes, showing a significant 62.2% jump from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 10.7%, with an annualized rate of 3.5%. The lowest point was in 2019 at 8 385 tonnes, which also saw the sharpest drop of 27.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain and France consistently dominated ECOWAS melon exports, together accounting for 84.5% of the total volume. This highlights a highly concentrated market structure, with the remaining share spread across numerous smaller destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, melon exports from ECOWAS in monetary terms stood at 9 641 thousand US dollars, reflecting a solid 10.2% gain over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 6.4%, averaging 2.1% per year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 8 747 thousand US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 10 585 thousand US dollars. The most notable decline was in 2019 at 17.4%, whereas the largest increase was in 2018 at 16.8%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Spain and France remained the top two markets for ECOWAS melon exports in value terms, jointly making up 81.7% of the total. The rest was distributed among a diverse array of other countries.

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

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

Imports melons to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year downward trend, melon imports into ECOWAS edged up in 2020. The region imported 954 tonnes, a modest 2.5% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 span, imports fell by 59.4%, with an annualized decline of 26.0%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 931 tonnes, and the steepest drop occurred in 2018 at 55.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco, Portugal, and Spain were the leading suppliers of melons to ECOWAS in volume terms, with shares of 39.8%, 26.0%, and 18.4%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 84.1% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

ECOWAS melon imports continued to decline for the second consecutive year in 2020, dropping to 761 thousand US dollars—a sharp 27.8% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value fell by 33.2%, averaging a 12.6% annual decline. The highest value was in 2018 at 1 141 thousand US dollars, which also saw a slight increase of 0.2%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, Portugal, Spain, and Morocco were the primary sources for melon imports into ECOWAS in value terms, contributing 42.7%, 27.2%, and 7.0%, respectively. Combined, they represented 76.9% of total import flows.

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

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