Melons market in Iran

Earlier Report Observations

Iran's melon market started the period from a position of strength, being the world's second-largest producer after China. A wide variety of melon types, including winter melon, Mashhadi, Galia, and Shahpasand, were cultivated and consumed domestically. The introduction of improved seed varieties, such as Shahpasand Shahin and the Dutch-bred Mino Roozen seeds, enhanced product quality and market appeal.

From 2020 onward, production costs rose significantly due to currency exchange rate fluctuations, which increased the price of imported agricultural inputs and seeds. Policy shifts aimed at supporting domestic production by altering import regulations for inputs further constrained access and added to costs. Tightened labeling and traceability rules for agricultural produce, implemented in 2022, introduced additional compliance burdens. These factors collectively reduced melon output. Concurrently, the ongoing adoption of hybrid varieties and focus on quality improvements helped expand export volumes, which grew from 164 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 294 thousand tonnes in 2022.

As a result, the domestic market volume contracted from 788 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 382 thousand tonnes in 2022. By 2023, the market stabilized at around 380 thousand tonnes, while exports remained a significant outlet for Iranian melon production.

Production melons in Iran

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Iran ranked as the 4th largest producer of melons from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of melons, 2017-2020

World map of production of melons, 2017-2020

Melon production in Iran declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 892 thousand tonnes of melons, which was 3.9% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 38.2%, with an average annual decline rate of 14.8%.

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

Exports melons from Iran

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2017, while the highest was in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.4 times. In 2020, melon exports from Iran reached 209.3 thousand tonnes, marking a 45.2% increase from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 11.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 89.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq was the primary market for Iran's melon exports in volume terms, accounting for 73.8% of total flows. The remaining volume was distributed among numerous other destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over the period. The minimum value was recorded in 2017, and the maximum in 2018, with a 2.3-fold difference between them. In 2020, Iran's melon exports totaled 37 623 thousand US dollars, representing a 37.3% decrease compared to 2019. The highest value was in 2018, at 68 854 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 128.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, Iraq dominated Iran's melon exports in value terms, holding a 72.8% share of total flows. The rest was divided among various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports melons to Iran

According to the market report, Iran did not import any melons from 2017 to 2020.