Melons market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the melon market in Spain reached 345.5 thousand tonnes, supported by continuous innovation in varieties and cultivation techniques aimed at attracting consumers, along with investments and evolution in domestic and foreign trade. The following two years saw the market volume decline to 299.1 thousand tonnes in 2019 and 273.0 thousand tonnes in 2020.

The market rebounded to 319.9 thousand tonnes in 2021, driven by sustained innovation, growing consumer interest, and a strategic focus on extending the offering through the off-season. After a drop to 256.9 thousand tonnes in 2022, volume recovered to 305.9 thousand tonnes in 2023. This growth was linked to adaptation to post-pandemic demand for fresh and healthy products, as well as robust exports of varieties like Galia, Yellow, Cantaloupe, Charentais, and Piel de Sapo to key markets such as France, Germany, and the UK, despite adverse July weather that hampered production.

For 2024, factors point to a decrease in average prices and rising imports, including a growing winter presence of Brazilian melons affecting local market share. Simultaneously, Spanish supermarkets like Lidl and Mercadona expanded their marketing of national melons, responding to consumer preference for fresh, local produce.

Production melons in Spain

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Spain held the 8th position globally in melon production.

Top producers of melons, 2017-2020

World map of production of melons, 2017-2020

Spain's melon production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 611.0 thousand tonnes of melons, a decrease of 7.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 6.8%, averaging an annual decline of 2.3%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 664.4 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 1.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Spain's melon output was valued at 517.0 million US dollars, showing no change from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.3%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 592.2 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 22.6%. The largest decline was in 2019, with a drop of 12.7%.

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

Exports melons from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Spain's melon exports reached 433.7 thousand tonnes, a moderate decrease of 4.8% compared to the previous year. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 405.6 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 8.0%. The highest volume was in 2019 at 455.8 thousand tonnes, marking the largest increase of 12.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom were the top buyers of Spanish melons by volume. France accounted for 27.1% of exports, Germany for 22.9%, and the United Kingdom for 13.0%, together making up 63.0% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Spain's melon export value amounted to 367.0 million US dollars, a slight rise of 2.9% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 13%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%. The largest increase was in 2018 at 11.3%, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 1.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom were the main destinations for Spanish melons by value. France represented 32.0% of exports, Germany 21.6%, and the United Kingdom 11.7%, collectively accounting for 65.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports melons to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

Spain's melon imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 95.8 thousand tonnes, a slight rise of 1.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 17.8%, averaging an annual increase of 5.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Brazil was the dominant supplier of melons to Spain, accounting for 70.4% of total imports by volume, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Spain's melon import value declined. In 2020, imports totaled 76.3 million US dollars, a small decrease of 1.2% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 13%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%. The highest value was in 2019 at 77.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 10.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil and Senegal were the leading markets for Spain's melon imports by value, together accounting for 80.8% of total flows, while other destinations shared the rest.

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

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