Melons market in GCC

Earlier Report Observations

The melon market in the GCC region expanded significantly between 2018 and 2022, with total market volume rising from 149.4 thousand tons to 222.6 thousand tons. This growth was driven by both increased domestic production and higher imports, particularly during 2020 and 2021.

Domestic production of melons grew from 83.1 thousand tons in 2018 to 122.4 thousand tons in 2023, despite a slight dip in 2021. Imports also played a key role, peaking at 116.8 thousand tons in 2021 before falling to 85.5 thousand tons in 2023, which contributed to the overall market contraction that year.

After reaching a high of 222.6 thousand tons in 2022, the market contracted to 204.3 thousand tons in 2023, primarily due to a sharp reduction in imports. Production, however, continued to increase, indicating a shift toward greater self-sufficiency in the GCC melon supply.

Production melons in GCC

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of melons, 2017-2020

World map of production of melons, 2017-2020

Melon production in the GCC increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 106.7 K t of melons were produced, marking a 21.4% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 24%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 83.1 K t, which represented a decline of 3.5% from the previous year.

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

Exports melons from GCC

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, the GCC exported 4 953 t of melons, which represents a significant decline of 44.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 46.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 19.0%. The largest increase in exports was recorded in 2019, with a growth of 60.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka were the leading destinations for melon exports from the GCC in terms of volume. Iraq accounted for 10.4% of exports, Afghanistan for 6.2%, and Sri Lanka for 1.6%. Together, these three countries represented 18.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Melon exports from the GCC increased in value for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 10 143 K $ US, corresponding to a 1.3% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 37.3%, with an annualized rate of 11.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner portfolio for melon exports from the GCC in value terms was quite broad. Afghanistan accounted for 19.3% of exports, Iraq for 5.4%, and Egypt for 0.9%. Together, these three countries represented only 25.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports melons to GCC

Imports in kind, t

Cross-border shipments of melons to the GCC increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 91 950 t, up by 16.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 40%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran, Jordan, and India were the principal suppliers of melons to the GCC in terms of volume. Iran accounted for 28.8% of imports, Jordan for 27.7%, and India for 10.5%. Together, these three countries represented 67.0% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, foreign melon supplies to the GCC were recorded at 53 783 K $ US, which is 8.2% less than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 4.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 51 045 K $ US, representing a decline of 9.0% from the previous year. The highest value was in 2019 at 58 570 K $ US, which marked an increase of 14.7% from 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, there was no single dominant market for melon imports to the GCC in value terms. Jordan accounted for 22.6% of imports, India for 10.0%, and Honduras for 9.9%. Together, these three countries represented only 42.5% of total imports, while many smaller partners each held modest individual shares.

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

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