Watermelons and melons market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, climate change made it feasible to cultivate watermelons in Austria for the first time, as warmer conditions allowed the fruit to ripen locally. This shift supported domestic production despite challenging growing conditions, while consumer interest in regional produce grew. The first organic watermelons from the Marchfeld region entered the market in 2019, meeting strict bio-certification standards and diversifying the supply. By 2020, watermelons and melons held a 36% volume share of the fresh fruit segment in Austrian food retail, underscoring their stable consumer appeal.

Domestic production recovered and expanded after 2020, surpassing 2,200 t by 2022. Market volume fluctuated during this period, reaching a low of 45,872 t in 2022 before a strong upturn.

A notable market expansion occurred in 2023, with volume rising to 54,771 t. This growth was supported by global health and fitness trends, which increased demand for fresh fruit, alongside the rise of online grocery shopping. Austrian production reached a new peak of 2,260 t in 2023 and continued to grow by 11% in 2024, influenced also by weather conditions in key import countries like Hungary and Italy, which affected import availability and prices.

Production watermelons and melons in Austria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of watermelons and melons, 2017-2020

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

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. In 2017, production reached its lowest point, while 2018 saw the peak with a 2.7-fold difference between these years. Austrian production of watermelons and melons totaled 1 750 tonnes in 2020, representing a sharp 25.9% increase compared to 2019. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 003 tonnes. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 with a 30.6% drop, while the largest increase was observed in 2018 with a remarkable 165.6% growth.

Annual dynamics of production in Austria in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Production reached its lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.1-fold gap between these years. In 2020, the output of watermelons and melons in Austria was valued at 1 878 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 56.5% increase compared to 2019. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 with a 33.9% decrease, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 with a dramatic 201.5% rise.

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

Exports watermelons and melons from Austria

Exports in kind, t

Austrian exports of watermelons and melons have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 5 491 tonnes, representing a 29.4% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 100.7%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 26.1%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, three main markets—Slovenia, Poland, and Germany—collectively accounted for 77.6% of Austria's total exports of watermelons and melons in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Austrian exports of watermelons and melons have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value reached 5 892 thousand US dollars, showing a substantial 60.9% improvement compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 169.6%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 39.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland (27.5% of export value), Slovenia (25.3% of export value), and Germany (20.6% of export value) remained Austria's key export partners, together accounting for 73.4% of total export flows in value terms.

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

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

Imports watermelons and melons to Austria

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Austria's imports of watermelons and melons reached 52 299 tonnes, showing a modest 0.8% year-over-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 2.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 54 666 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 5.1% decrease, while the largest increase was observed in 2018 with a 7.2% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain (43.0% of import volume), Italy (26.1% of import volume), and Brazil (7.1% of import volume) were the main sources of Austria's watermelon and melon imports, together comprising 76.2% of total import flows in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Austria's imports of watermelons and melons totaled 46 986 thousand US dollars, showing a measured 9.2% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 13.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.3%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 51 382 thousand US dollars. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 with a 16.3% decrease, while the largest increase was observed in 2018 with a 24.3% rise.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Spain (45.2% of import value), Italy (21.4% of import value), and Brazil (10.1% of import value) were Austria's primary suppliers of watermelons and melons, together accounting for 76.8% of total imports in value terms.

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

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