Market research

Watermelons and melons market in Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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"Africa" region includes following countries:

Algeria

Libya

Morocco

Sudan

Western Sahara

Tunisia

Egypt

Cabo Verde

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Côte d'Ivoire

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Burkina Faso

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Botswana

Lesotho

Namibia

South Africa

Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh watermelons and melons in Africa showed a variable trajectory from 2018 to 2023. Consumption began at 8.7 million tons in 2018, dipped to 8.4 million tons the following year, and then entered a growth phase that culminated at 9.2 million tons in 2022. This upward trend was interrupted in 2023 when the market contracted to 8.6 million tons.

Measured in value, the market exhibited similar patterns but with more pronounced swings. After falling to $6.3 billion in 2019, the market's value rebounded strongly to reach $8.4 billion in 2021, before declining again to $7.0 billion by 2023. Throughout the period, export volumes from Africa increased consistently, rising from 264 thousand tons in 2018 to 413 thousand tons in 2023.

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, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K 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, K 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, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  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 Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  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 Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  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 Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  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 Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
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 watermelons and melons in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of watermelons and melons, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of watermelons and melons, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In 2020, Africa produced 9 326 K t of watermelons and melons, marking a modest 7.5% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 24.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 2.6%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018 at 19.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	19.1%	(2.6%)	7.5%	7.6%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of watermelons and melons in Africa was valued at 6 908 M $ US, representing a 6.9% increase over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 24%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 8 158 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 20.8%, while the most significant increase was in 2018 at 46.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	46.4%	(20.8%)	6.9%	7.4%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports watermelons and melons from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Watermelon and melon exports in Africa increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 353.7 K t, up by 28.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 34.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.3%	4.4%	28.2%	10.3%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, France (33.6% of exports in kind), Spain (31.4% of exports in kind), and the Netherlands (5.9% of exports in kind) remained the leading destinations in the country structure of exports in kind, collectively accounting for 70.9% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, cross-border shipments of watermelons and melons from Africa reached 262.0 M $ US, showing an abrupt uptick of 27.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 33.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.1%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 15.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	23.4%	(15.0%)	27.4%	10.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Over the 2017–2020 period, France (41.6% of exports in value terms), Spain (27.8% of exports in value terms), and the Netherlands (6.7% of exports in value terms) consistently occupied leading positions in the country structure of exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 76.0% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports watermelons and melons to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year uptick, cross-border shipments of watermelons and melons to Africa declined. In 2020, Africa imported approximately 8.9 K t of watermelons and melons, representing a 31.6% decline compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 7.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 13.0 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 27.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	27.4%	23.7%	(31.6%)	2.5%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of watermelons and melons to Africa were characterized by a broad spread across markets. Portugal (3.1% of imports in kind), Spain (2.3% of imports in kind), and Brazil (1.4% of imports in kind) together accounted for only 6.8% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year increase, cross-border shipments of watermelons and melons to Africa declined. In 2020, Africa imported 6.4 M $ US of watermelons and melons, down by 39.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 17.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 10.6 M $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 29.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	29.4%	6.2%	(39.8%)	(6.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

The structure of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 points to a diversified set of partners. Portugal (7.1% of imports in value terms), Spain (5.8% of imports in value terms), and Australia (2.6% of imports in value terms) jointly accounted for only 15.5% of total flows, while the remaining 84.5% was dispersed among numerous smaller markets.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io