Melons market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

The melon market in Portugal exhibited considerable volatility between 2018 and 2023. It opened the period at 122 987 tons in 2018, a year marked by the entry of a new player, FHZ – Investimentos Agrícolas, which focused on natural and chemical-free fresh produce, aligning with a growing consumer trend. However, the market volume contracted sharply by 21.4% to 96 688 tons in 2019.

A strong recovery followed in 2020, with the market growing 24.5% to 120 377 tons. This resurgence was primarily driven by increased consumer demand for 100% natural and fresh products. After a moderate decline to 115 984 tons in 2021, the market fell to 102 540 tons in 2022, a drop influenced by shifts in the agricultural workforce that affected production logistics and harvesting operations.

The downward trend continued into 2023, with the total market volume decreasing to 93 326 tons. Production settled at 52 940 tons, while imports also remained subdued. Throughout the period, traditional cultivation practices and the valorization of regional melon varieties, such as Melão de Campo Maior, provided a stable base for the market but did not reverse the overall contraction from its 2018 peak.

Production melons in Portugal

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of melons, 2018-2021

World map of production of melons, 2018-2021

Portugal's melon production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 70 250 tonnes of melons, marking a slight gain of 2.4% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 4.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 46 920 tonnes, which represented the largest decline of 30.2%. This was followed by the largest increase in 2020, when production jumped by 46.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports melons from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

Melon exports from Portugal have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 2 673 tonnes, remaining virtually unchanged compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 58.5%, with a compound annual decline rate of 25.4%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 7 236 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 12.3%. This was followed by the largest decline in 2020, when exports fell by 62.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Poland, Spain, and France were the primary buyers of melons from Portugal, accounting for 36.6%, 13.7%, and 13.6% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 64.0% of Portugal's total melon exports in volume terms.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, Portugal's melon exports in value terms increased in 2021. Exports reached 2 396 thousand US dollars, which is 4.8% higher compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, however, exports decreased by 67.3%, with a compound annual decline rate of 31.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 2 287 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 56.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In the period from 2018 to 2021, Poland, Spain, and France formed the main group of destinations for Portugal's melon exports in value terms. Poland accounted for 47.3% of exports, Spain for 13.1%, and France for 10.9%. Combined, these three countries represented 71.3% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Portugal in value, 2018-2021

Imports melons to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

Portugal's melon imports have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports totalled 48 407 tonnes, showing a strong decrease of 11.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 22.2%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 8.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, imports of melons to Portugal in kind were almost entirely tied to Spain, which accounted for 96.9% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Portugal in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Portugal's melon imports in value terms amounted to 31 981 thousand US dollars, down by 16.0% year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 21.2%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 7.6%. The largest increase was recorded in 2020 at 1.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout the period from 2018 to 2021, imports in value terms remained heavily focused on Spain, which accounted for 95.7% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Portugal in value, 2018-2021