Market research

Melons market in South Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

South Africa's melon market volume contracted significantly from 20 060 t in 2018 to 12 313 t in 2023, with the most pronounced decline occurring between 2019 and 2021 when the market fell by nearly 30%. The market then stabilized around 12 000 t in 2022 and 2023.

By 2024, consumer preferences shifted towards health-conscious consumption, supporting demand for fresh produce such as melons, while global market trends and price volatility affected local conditions. In 2025, weather-related supply disruptions, including droughts and floods, alongside logistical challenges such as port delays and post-election unrest in Mozambique that hampered deliveries, constrained supply. Simultaneously, strong fruit demand and reduced cold storage stocks in the EU exerted upward pressure on prices.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in South Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2025
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production melons in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of melons, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of melons, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

South Africa's melon production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 13 487 tonnes of melons, marking a gradual reduction of 7.4% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 36.5%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 14.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(15.3%)	(19.1%)	(7.4%)	(14.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports melons from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decreases, South Africa's melon exports have rebounded. In 2021, exports reached 1 725 tonnes, up by 20.8% from 2020. However, over the broader period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 31.1%, with an annualized rate of 11.7%. The lowest point was in 2020, at 1 428 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 32.6%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(15.5%)	(32.6%)	20.8%	(11.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, the main destinations for South Africa's melon exports in volume terms were the United Kingdom, accounting for 48.5% of exports, Botswana with 12.5%, and Zambia at 9.3%. Together, these three countries represented 70.3% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, South Africa's melon exports in value terms have increased. In 2021, exports amounted to 2 626 thousand US dollars, showing a robust growth of 15.8% compared to 2020. Despite this recent uptick, exports fell by 78.4% over the 2018-2021 period, with an annualized rate of 40.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 2 268 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 60.3%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(60.3%)	(53.0%)	15.8%	(40.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2018 and 2021, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands dominated South Africa's melon exports in value terms, capturing the majority of the market, while other countries played a more minor role.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports melons to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

South Africa's melon imports have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 514 tonnes, contracting by 46.4% year-on-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 61%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -26.9%. The peak was in 2019 at 1 390 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 5.5%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	5.5%	(31.0%)	(46.4%)	(26.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Namibia was the dominant source for South Africa's melon imports in volume terms, absorbing 85.3% of total flows, with a range of smaller partners making up the remainder.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

South Africa's melon imports have fallen for the third year in a row. In 2021, imports reached 263 thousand US dollars, which is 44.4% lower than the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 69.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -32.5%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(9.7%)	(38.8%)	(44.4%)	(32.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

During 2018-2021, Namibia accounted for most of South Africa's melon imports in value terms, holding 83.2% of total flows, while other markets contributed in smaller, fragmented amounts.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io