Watermelons and melons market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The introduction of a coupled income support scheme for watermelon and melon growers in 2018, requiring a minimum cultivated area, provided direct subsidies that helped stabilize domestic production initially. This was followed by significant yield improvements in 2019, attributed to better crop selection and control measures, which supported market volume at around 149 thousand tonnes through 2020 despite a slight dip in output.

A peak market volume of 182 thousand tonnes was reached in 2021, driven by tightened on-site and remote monitoring of harvests to ensure subsidy compliance, which likely improved cultivation efficiency. The market then contracted sharply to 134 thousand tonnes in 2022, a period coinciding with a revision of the subsidy tariff rates under the continued support scheme, which may have temporarily affected planting incentives.

Market volume recovered to 145 thousand tonnes in 2023, bolstered by growing demand from major retail chains, exemplified by Kaufland Bulgaria's large-scale procurement of 6.4 million kg from local producers. Favorable weather in early 2024, including heavy rains that boosted soil moisture, combined with the ongoing subsidy program, led to a substantial expansion in sown areas and reports of record yields.

Production watermelons and melons in Bulgaria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of watermelons and melons, 2017-2020

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

Bulgaria's production of watermelons and melons has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 112.7 thousand tonnes, which is 6.3% lower than the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 4.2%, averaging an annual increase of 1.4%. The highest output was recorded in 2018 at 121.6 thousand tonnes, with the largest year-over-year growth of 12.4% also occurring that year.

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

Exports watermelons and melons from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with the peak being 2.5 times higher than the trough. In 2020, Bulgaria exported 3 933 tonnes of watermelons and melons, marking a 56.6% decrease compared to the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 9 854 tonnes, with the largest year-over-year increase of 131.5% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Bulgaria's watermelon and melon exports in volume terms were Czechia, Romania, and Lithuania. Czechia accounted for 47.2% of exports, Romania for 21.7%, and Lithuania for 12.8%, together making up 81.7% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Export values varied significantly, with the minimum recorded in 2017 and the maximum in 2018, showing a threefold difference between these years. In 2020, Bulgaria's watermelon and melon exports were valued at 1 635 thousand US dollars, a 49.2% drop from the previous year. The highest value was in 2018 at 3 470 thousand US dollars, with the largest year-over-year increase of 204.5% also occurring that year.

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

During 2017–2020, the primary markets for Bulgaria's watermelon and melon exports in value terms were Czechia, Romania, and Lithuania. Czechia held a 43.9% share, Romania 24.3%, and Lithuania 11.4%, collectively accounting for 79.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports watermelons and melons to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

Bulgaria's imports of watermelons and melons have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported approximately 41 787 tonnes, representing a notable 11.6% rise from the year before. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 6.5%, averaging an annual increase of 2.1%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 36 817 tonnes, with the largest year-over-year decline of 6.2% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece was the dominant source for Bulgaria's watermelon and melon imports in volume terms, accounting for 76.3% of total imports, while other countries made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Bulgaria's imports of watermelons and melons were valued at 7 161 thousand US dollars, showing a moderate increase of 5.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 47.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 2.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 42.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the largest shares of Bulgaria's watermelon and melon imports in value terms came from Greece, Turkey, and Germany. Greece accounted for 45.9%, Turkey for 29.7%, and Germany for 11.4%, together comprising 86.9% of total import value.

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

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