Watermelons and melons market in Albania

Earlier Report Observations

The domestic market volume for fresh watermelons and melons in Albania showed considerable variation between 2018 and 2023, starting at 262.1 thousand tonnes and reaching 294.0 thousand tonnes by the end of the period. This overall growth of 12% was not linear, with a notable contraction in 2020 followed by a strong recovery and peak in 2022.

Market availability was primarily shaped by trends in local production, which expanded from 281.3 thousand tonnes to 333.4 thousand tonnes, and by highly volatile export volumes. A sharp drop in exports to 8.8 thousand tonnes in 2022 contributed to a record high domestic market volume of 304.5 thousand tonnes that year, while a rebound in exports the following year coincided with a smaller market.

Imports remained negligible throughout the observed years, confirming that the Albanian market for these fruits is almost entirely supplied by domestic harvests, with export sales being the key variable influencing the quantity remaining for local consumption.

Production watermelons and melons in Albania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of watermelons and melons, 2017-2020

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

In 2019, Albania's production of watermelons and melons reached its peak at 300.4 thousand tons. The following year, in 2020, output remained stable at 298.9 thousand tons, showing no significant change from 2019. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 281.3 thousand tons. That year saw the largest decline of 4.9%, while 2019 experienced the biggest increase of 6.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two years of growth, Albania's production of watermelons and melons declined in value terms. In 2019, output reached its highest value at 64 313 thousand US dollars. In 2020, production was valued at 58 085 thousand US dollars, reflecting a moderate decrease of 9.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 16.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 16.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Albania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports watermelons and melons from Albania

Exports in kind, t

Albania's exports of watermelons and melons increased for the second consecutive year. In 2018, export volumes reached their lowest point at 19 221 tons, marking the largest decline of 47.8%. The following year, 2019, saw the biggest increase of 51.9%. In 2020, Albania exported 42 848 tons, representing a significant advance of 46.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 16.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Serbia was the leading destination for Albania's watermelon and melon exports in volume terms, accounting for 57.0% of total exports. Bosnia and Herzegovina followed with 12.9%, and Czechia with 10.9%. Together, these three countries represented 80.8% of Albania's total export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Albania's watermelon and melon exports increased in value for the second year in a row. In 2018, export value reached its minimum at 3 959 thousand US dollars, experiencing the largest decline of 36.3%. The following year, 2019, recorded the biggest increase of 57.9%. In 2020, exports totaled 8 327 thousand US dollars, showing a steep uptick of 33.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 34%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia was the largest buyer of Albanian watermelons and melons in value terms, accounting for 45.0% of total exports. Czechia followed with 17.3%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina with 12.0%. Combined, these three markets represented 74.2% of Albania's total export value during this period.

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

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

Imports watermelons and melons to Albania

Imports in kind, t

Albania's imports of watermelons and melons increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 137 tons, representing a substantial increase of 51.6% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 288.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 57.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece remained the primary source of watermelons and melons for Albania, accounting for 83.0% of total imports in volume terms. Other countries played much less significant roles in Albania's import structure during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Albania's imports of watermelons and melons increased in value for the third year running. In 2020, imports reached 176 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp rise of 55.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 290.6%, representing an annualized growth rate of 57.5%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Greece was the main supplier of watermelons and melons to Albania in value terms, accounting for 83.6% of total imports. Other trading partners had relatively modest shares in Albania's import market.

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

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