Melons market in Oceania

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh melon market in Oceania saw its volume decline from 216.2 thousand tons in 2018 to 195.1 thousand tons in 2019. This contraction coincided with a broader downturn in Australian melon production that began in 2017, reducing domestic supply as output fell from 229.2 thousand tons to 206.5 thousand tons over the same period.

Following stabilization around 197 thousand tons in 2020 and 2021, the market expanded significantly to 218.7 thousand tons in 2022 and reached 222.4 thousand tons by 2023. This growth was supported by a rebound in production, which rose to 230.2 thousand tons in 2023. During this period, the industry focused on diversifying export markets, with growers targeting countries like Japan to buffer against domestic demand fluctuations and setting a goal to raise the export share from 8% to 20% of total production.

Consumer behavior also evolved, with a growing preference for purchasing produce by region and supporting local farmers. By 2022/23, half of all households bought melons, with an annual per capita supply of 8 kg. Year-round availability and seasonal factors continued to shape buying decisions, while the industry implemented action plans to reduce food waste across the supply chain.

Production melons in Oceania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of melons, 2017-2020

World map of production of melons, 2017-2020

Oceania's melon production rebounded in 2020 after two years of decline. The region produced 208.9 thousand tonnes of melons that year, marking a 1.1% increase from 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 22%, which translates to an average annual decline of 7.9%. The lowest point was in 2019, with output at 206.5 thousand tonnes, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018, when production decreased by 14.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Oceania's melon production value declined for the third consecutive year in 2020. The output was valued at 280.4 million US dollars, down 18.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 45.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -18.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Oceania in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports melons from Oceania

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Oceania's melon exports declined in 2020. The region exported 11 530 tonnes of melons that year, a 33.1% decrease from the previous year. Despite this drop, exports over the 2017-2020 period increased by 2.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. The peak was in 2019, with 17 230 tonnes exported, and the largest increase occurred that same year, at 24.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and Japan remained the top buyers of melons from Oceania. Singapore accounted for 38.0% of exports in kind, the United Arab Emirates for 14.8%, and Japan for 12.9%. Together, these three markets represented 65.7% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Oceania's melon export value dropped sharply to 14 887 thousand US dollars, a 29.1% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 28.3%, with an average annual decline of 10.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 21 008 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase also occurred that year, at 23.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and Japan were the three main markets for Oceania's melon exports in value terms, collectively absorbing 62.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports melons to Oceania

Imports in kind, t

Oceania's melon imports showed significant fluctuations during the period. In 2020, imports totaled 365 tonnes, down 93.9% from 2019. The peak was in 2019, with 5 848 tonnes imported, and the largest increase occurred that year, at 571.1%. The span from 2019 to 2020 saw a peak-to-trough amplitude of 16 times.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the leading source for melon imports to Oceania in kind, accounting for 4.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Oceania's melon import value declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 452 thousand US dollars, a 92.1% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 93.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -59.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the main source for melon imports to Oceania in value terms, representing 3.3% of total import flows.

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

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