Melons market in North Macedonia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the melon market volume in North Macedonia experienced fluctuations, starting at 1 064 t in 2018, declining to 923 t in 2019, and then recovering to around 1 040 t in the following two years.

In 2022, the domestic market volume decreased to 956 t, influenced by a significant rise in exports which reached 299 t. This export surge was partly driven by the growing importance of the Delchevo market for fruit and vegetable trade, attracting increased interest from Bulgarian buyers. The following year, the market volume rebounded to 1 077 t as exports fell to 137 t while production held steady above 1 140 t.

In 2024, preliminary trade data shows exports of 245 t against imports of 60 t, indicating continued strong external demand supported by the diversification of fruit and vegetable export markets to Northern and Eastern Europe.

Production melons in North Macedonia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of melons, 2017-2020

World map of production of melons, 2017-2020

After two consecutive years of growth, melon production in North Macedonia experienced a decline. In 2019, production reached its peak at 1 162 tonnes, representing a 1.7% increase from the previous year. However, in 2020, production fell slightly to 1 143 tonnes, marking a 1.6% decrease compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in North Macedonia in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

North Macedonia's melon production value continued to rise for the second year in a row. In 2018, the value hit its lowest point at 331.3 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 1.5% drop from the prior year. The following year, in 2019, production surged by 20.1%, reaching a higher value. By 2020, output was valued at 409.3 thousand US dollars, up 2.9% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 21.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in North Macedonia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports melons from North Macedonia

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 148.8 tonnes, showing a significant decline of 27.1% from the previous year. The following year, in 2019, exports peaked at 278.0 tonnes, marking a sharp increase of 86.9%. By 2020, exports dropped to 220.8 tonnes, a 20.6% decrease compared to 2019. Overall, there was a 1.9-fold variation between the minimum in 2018 and the maximum in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia was the primary destination for North Macedonia's melon exports in volume terms, accounting for 52.7% of the total. Bulgaria followed with 9.9%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina with 5.4%. Together, these three countries represented 68.0% of all export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. In 2018, export value reached its minimum at 43 152 US dollars, declining by 29.4% from the previous year. The following year, in 2019, it peaked at 95 198 US dollars, surging by 120.6%. By 2020, exports amounted to 79 037 US dollars, a 17.0% drop year-on-year. Overall, exports varied by a factor of 2.2 from the trough in 2018 to the peak in 2019.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Poland were the three largest markets for North Macedonia's melon exports in value terms. Together, they accounted for 67.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports melons to North Macedonia

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. In 2019, imports were at their lowest at 38.7 tonnes, declining by 44.8% from the previous year. The following year, in 2020, imports surged to 120.7 tonnes, marking a sharp rise of 212.2% from 2019. Overall, import volumes varied 3.1 times from the low in 2019 to the high in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Albania and Greece dominated North Macedonia's melon imports in volume terms, jointly accounting for 88.3% of total flows. Other countries made up the remaining share.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. In 2019, import value was at its minimum at 19 312 US dollars, dropping by 74.4% from the previous year. The following year, in 2020, imports totalled 76 436 US dollars, marking a significant uptick of 295.8% versus 2019. Overall, imports changed by a factor of 4 from the trough in 2019 to the peak in 2020.

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

In 2017 to 2020, Albania was the dominant market for North Macedonia's melon imports in value terms, with a share of 76.3% of total flows. Other partners accounted for the remaining volume.

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

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