Melons market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh melons in Brazil grew from 713 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 809 thousand tonnes in 2020. This expansion was supported by rising domestic consumption, which averaged 56 kg per capita annually, and the opening of the Chinese market to Brazilian melon exports in the second half of 2020, creating new overseas opportunities.

After a temporary dip to 755 thousand tonnes in 2021, the market rebounded strongly, reaching 887 thousand tonnes in 2022 and 1 050 thousand tonnes in 2023. Low European supply due to adverse weather in Spain increased international demand for Brazilian melons, stimulating production. At the same time, shifts in consumer preferences and higher quality requirements, partly driven by export standards, enhanced the appeal of melons on the domestic market.

By 2023, the market value reached 880 million USD, reflecting both volume growth and increased worth. Lower production costs, including reduced spending on pesticides and fertilizers, improved profitability, while continued shifts in consumer preferences supported domestic demand.

Production melons in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of melons, 2017-2020

World map of production of melons, 2017-2020

Melon production in South America has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 1 043 K t, remaining nearly unchanged compared to 2019 on a year-over-year basis. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 17.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, South America's melon production value declined. In 2020, output was valued at 656.8 M $ US, showing a slight decrease of 1.6% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 6.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 667.5 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 5.6%.

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

Exports melons from South America

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, foreign melon supplies from South America stood at 235.3 K t, down by 6.2% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 197.8 K t, while the highest was in 2019 at 250.9 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 15.3%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 26.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South America in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (37.8% of exports in kind), Spain (26.4% of exports in kind), and the United Kingdom (25.2% of exports in kind) together absorbed 89.4% of total melon exports in kind from South America, making them the primary destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

South America exported 148.2 M $ US worth of melons in 2020, equivalent to a decrease of 7.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 9.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 137.4 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 15.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 17.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (37.3% of exports in value terms), the United Kingdom (26.9% of exports in value terms), and Spain (25.4% of exports in value terms) remained the main markets for melon exports in value terms from South America, jointly accounting for 89.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports melons to South America

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, melon shipments to South America from abroad increased. In 2020, South America imported approximately 1.4 K t of melons, up by 45.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 38.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 14.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 0.9 K t, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 51.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South America in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the leading destination in the structure of melon imports in kind, accounting for 1.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Imports peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2019, with a 2.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, South America imported a total of 1.9 M $ US worth of melons, representing a sharp increase of 119.1% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 0.9 M $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 46.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the largest destination for melon imports in value terms to South America, accounting for 1.8% of total flows.

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

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