Watermelons and melons market in Australia and New Zealand

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for watermelons and melons in Australia and New Zealand experienced fluctuations from 2018 to 2023. Starting at 383.6 thousand tons in 2018, consumption dipped to 361.4 thousand tons the following year before entering a period of growth. Volume recovered to 375.6 thousand tons in 2020, climbed further to 392.7 thousand tons in 2021, and peaked at 403.9 thousand tons in 2022. The trend reversed in 2023, with the market shrinking to 388.9 thousand tons. Domestic production mirrored this pattern, declining in 2019, rising to a high of 414.1 thousand tons in 2022, and then falling in 2023.

In monetary terms, the market value showed a strong upward trajectory, increasing from $427 million in 2018 to $603.4 million in 2022, despite the volatility in physical volume. This growth was particularly pronounced in 2020 when the market value jumped to $516.1 million, significantly outpacing the modest gain in volume, indicating a substantial rise in average prices. After the 2022 peak, the market value declined to $536.6 million in 2023.

Production watermelons and melons in Australia and New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of watermelons and melons, 2018-2021

World map of production of watermelons and melons, 2018-2021

Australia and New Zealand have seen their watermelons and melons production grow for the second year in a row. In 2021, the region produced 404.0 thousand tonnes, marking a moderate year-on-year increase of 3.7%. Production hit its lowest point in 2019 at 377.8 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 6.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

The value of watermelons and melons production in Australia and New Zealand has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2021, output was valued at 592.8 million US dollars, showing a 10.7% improvement over the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production value grew by 33.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 10.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 419.1 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 5.5%. In contrast, 2020 saw the largest increase of 27.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports watermelons and melons from Australia and New Zealand

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, Australia and New Zealand exported 16 148 tonnes of watermelons and melons, a substantial 11.1% gain compared to 2020. However, over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 28.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.6%. Exports peaked in 2019 at 28 359 tonnes and fell to their lowest in 2020 at 14 539 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 48.7%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 25.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and Japan remained the top buyers of watermelons and melons from Australia and New Zealand. Singapore accounted for 26.5% of exports in kind, the United Arab Emirates for 22.6%, and Japan for 16.1%. Together, these three markets formed 65.3% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Australia and New Zealand exported 23 697 thousand US dollars worth of watermelons and melons, showing a strong 18.6% uptick from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, however, exports decreased by 4.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 31 463 thousand US dollars, while the lowest was in 2020 at 19 981 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 36.5%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 27.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, and Japan were the three principal markets for watermelons and melons exports from Australia and New Zealand in value terms, collectively accounting for 62.6% of total exports.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021

Imports watermelons and melons to Australia and New Zealand

Imports in kind, t

The import market for watermelons and melons in Australia and New Zealand showed significant volatility during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 52-fold difference between these two years. In 2021, cross-border shipments amounted to 4 881 tonnes, indicating a sharp increase of 972.7% compared to 2020. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 12 015 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 96.2%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 5,129.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, t

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Tonga was the single largest supplier of watermelons and melons to Australia and New Zealand, accounting for 6.4% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

The import value of watermelons and melons in Australia and New Zealand was marked by volatility during these years. The lowest value occurred in 2020, while the highest was in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 14.6 times. In 2021, shipments from abroad totalled 3 766 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp gain of 534.2% over the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 594 thousand US dollars, and the maximum in 2019 at 8 656 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2020 at 93.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Tonga was the main partner for imports in value terms, holding a 6.1% share of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021