Melons market in Mali

Earlier Report Observations

Melon production in Mali remained stable around 45 000 metric tons in 2018 and 2019, a period when authorities emphasized professionalizing agricultural sectors like beekeeping and mango processing to enhance overall farm output. In 2020, output surged by 32% to nearly 59 400 metric tons, marking a significant expansion despite the absence of specific reported drivers for that year.

The market contracted sharply in 2021, falling by 26% to 44 100 metric tons. External pressures intensified in 2022 when an ECOWAS and UEMOA embargo from January to July cut Mali’s access to key supply ports, while global agricultural input prices soared due to the COVID‑19 pandemic and the Russia‑Ukraine conflict. These disruptions, alongside the first identified outbreak of new leafhopper pests, contributed to a further 20% decline, bringing production to 35 400 metric tons.

A partial recovery followed in 2023, with output rising 6% to 37 500 metric tons as some of the earlier constraints began to ease.

Production melons in Mali

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of melons, 2017-2020

World map of production of melons, 2017-2020

Mali's melon production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 59 251 tonnes of melons, marking a significant 31.9% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 30.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 9.2%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 44 689 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred that same year with a 1.8% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in Mali in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports melons from Mali

Market research indicates that Mali did not export any melons from 2017 to 2020.

Imports melons to Mali

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Mali imported 105.7 tonnes of melons, representing a 54.9% increase from the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 120.1 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 43.2% decrease, while the most significant increase was in 2018 with a 113.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa (36.9% of imports by volume), Senegal (34.5%), and Morocco (12.6%) formed the primary cluster of markets for Mali's melon imports, collectively accounting for 84.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

Noticeable fluctuations characterized the market during this period. Imports in value terms reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Mali's cross-border melon shipments amounted to 75 733 US dollars, reflecting a 56.1% increase compared to 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 92 587 US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 47.6% decrease, while the most significant increase was in 2018 with a 194.9% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa (34.7% of imports by value), Senegal (33.9%), and Morocco (15.8%) consistently held leading positions in Mali's import structure by value, jointly representing 84.5% of total import flows.

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

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