Watermelons and melons market in Armenia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the Armenian watermelons and melons market volume grew from 128.7 thousand tons to 137.7 thousand tons. This expansion was underpinned by ongoing government intervention to correct market failures and improve regulatory oversight. Technological innovations introduced in 2020 helped increase agricultural supply, while a deliberate state policy from 2021 promoting import substitution and agricultural development boosted domestic production, driving overall market growth.

A reversal occurred in 2022 and 2023, with the market size declining to 132.5 thousand tons and then to 125.5 thousand tons. The downturn coincided with changes to the national tax code, which increased operational burdens for producers and contributed to lower output. Although authorities continued efforts to stimulate the economy through enhanced market regulation and the rollout of new electronic systems for market participants, broader shifts in market activity and wages reflected a period of contraction.

In 2024, regional policy measures such as the EAEU decision to exempt Armenia from import duties on raw sugar were enacted to ensure domestic market stability, indicating continued institutional focus on factors that can influence agricultural sectors like watermelons and melons.

Production watermelons and melons in Armenia

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 2020, Armenia produced 126.6 thousand tons of watermelons and melons, representing a slight decrease of 1.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 41.3%, with an average annual decline rate of 16.3%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, when production decreased by 41.2%. In contrast, 2019 saw a modest increase of 0.9%.

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

Exports watermelons and melons from Armenia

Exports in kind, t

The export market for watermelons and melons showed considerable volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at just 1 ton, then surged dramatically to 203 tons in 2020, marking an increase of 24,342.2% compared to the previous year. From the peak in 2017 to the trough in 2019, exports changed by a factor of 380. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a drop of 98.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia dominated Armenia's watermelon and melon exports in volume terms, accounting for 76.9% of total shipments. The remaining exports were distributed among a large number of smaller trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of watermelon and melon exports exhibited high volatility over these years. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 1 thousand US dollars, then climbed sharply to 160 thousand US dollars in 2020, representing a gain of 14,018.1% compared to the previous year. Overall, export values shifted by a factor of 141 between the minimum in 2019 and the maximum in 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 98.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia and the United Arab Emirates were the primary destinations for Armenia's watermelon and melon exports in value terms, together accounting for the majority of export earnings. Other markets played a much smaller role in the export structure.

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

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

Imports watermelons and melons to Armenia

Imports in kind, t

Armenia's imports of watermelons and melons increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 4,953 tons. This represents a significant rise of 126.2% compared to 2019. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 465%, with an average annual growth rate of 78.1%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Iran was the key source for Armenia's watermelon and melon imports in volume terms, supplying 77.8% of total imports. Other countries contributed much smaller shares to Armenia's import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of Armenia's watermelon and melon imports rose for the third year in a row in 2020, reaching 2,732 thousand US dollars. This constituted a sharp increase of 69.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, import values increased by 397.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 70.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Iran played a leading role in Armenia's watermelon and melon imports in value terms, accounting for 85.4% of total import spending. The remainder was distributed among other trading partners.

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

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