Melons market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Spanish fresh melon market experienced moderate fluctuations in volume. Consumer preference for fresh, healthy, and locally sourced produce remained a steady trend, though total market size declined in 2019 and 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 heightened household focus on healthy fruits, boosting per capita consumption of melons despite the overall market contraction.

Market volume recovered in 2021, driven by industry innovation and investments aimed at winning consumers and developing the counter-season segment. However, extreme heatwaves and unfavorable spring temperatures in 2022 severely disrupted production, reduced cultivated area, and limited imports from Morocco, leading to a sharp supply shortfall and a significant spike in prices.

In 2023, major supermarket chains including Mercadona, Carrefour, and Lidl actively increased sourcing of Spanish melons through partnerships with local growers in Murcia, Andalusia, and Catalonia. This strategy, focused on quality and origin, stimulated a strong market rebound, with volume reaching 1.28 million tons.

Production melons in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of melons, 2017-2020

World map of production of melons, 2017-2020

Southern Europe's melon production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 396 K t of melons, marking a slight decrease of 1.4% from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 3.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.0%. The highest production level was in 2018, with 1 466 K t. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, at 3.4%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 1.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of melon production in Southern Europe reached 1 219 M $ US, up by 5.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 10.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The peak value was in 2018, at 1 361 M $ US. The sharpest decline happened in 2019, at 14.7%, whereas the largest increase was in 2018, at 23.0%.

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

Exports melons from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Southern Europe exported 461.9 K t of melons in 2020, reflecting a 3.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 2.4%, with an average annual decrease of 0.8%. The lowest export volume was in 2018, at 440.7 K t, while the highest was in 2019, at 476.4 K t. The most substantial drop occurred in 2018, at 6.9%, and the largest increase was in 2019, at 8.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—France, Germany, and the United Kingdom—collectively represented 60.6% of Southern Europe's total melon exports by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Southern Europe's melon exports were valued at 403.2 M $ US, up by 3.3% compared to the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 10.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018, at 409.0 M $ US. The most significant decline was in 2019, at 4.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 12.5%.

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

During 2017-2020, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom formed the core group of markets for Southern Europe's melon exports by value. France accounted for 29.2% of exports, Germany for 22.3%, and the United Kingdom for 11.0%, together making up 62.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports melons to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Southern Europe imported 131.5 K t of melons, down by 26.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 17.1%, with an average annual decline of 6.1%. The lowest import volume was in 2018, at 129.3 K t, and the highest was in 2019, at 179.6 K t. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 38.9%.

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

An analysis of import volumes from 2017 to 2020 reveals a wide distribution across many markets. Brazil, Senegal, and the Netherlands were the top contributors, accounting for 37.7%, 6.3%, and 5.9% of imports by volume, respectively. Together, they represented 49.9% of total flows, with the remaining 50.1% coming from other partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Southern Europe's melon imports declined in 2020. The region imported 152.1 M $ US worth of melons, a moderate reduction of 6.5% from the previous year. The highest import value was in 2019, at 162.7 M $ US. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 4.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, the Netherlands, and France were the biggest contributors to Southern Europe's melon imports by value. Brazil accounted for 37.0% of imports, the Netherlands for 7.3%, and France for 6.6%. Collectively, they made up 50.9% of total import flows.

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

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