Watermelons and melons market in Canada

Earlier Report Observations

The Canadian market for fresh watermelons and melons began the period under a new regulatory environment, with the phased enforcement of the Food Safety Act (LSAC) in 2018 establishing a harmonized federal framework for food safety. This was followed in 2019 by amendments to the Food and Drug Regulations that enhanced origin labeling requirements for fresh fruits, increasing transparency for consumers.

Market volume fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, declining from 429 thousand tons in 2018 to 404 thousand tons in 2020 before recovering to 428 thousand tons in 2021. A sharp contraction to 382 thousand tons occurred in 2022, followed by a rebound to 424 thousand tons in 2023. The recovery in 2023 was supported by maintained high import volumes from the United States and Mexico to satisfy domestic demand, despite extreme summer weather in Quebec that affected local vegetable production.

Production watermelons and melons in Canada

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of watermelons and melons, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Canada produced 44 620 tonnes of watermelons and melons, marking a slight year-over-year decline of 1.7%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 3.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 43 086 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 45 414 tonnes. The most significant increase was observed in 2019, when production rose by 5.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Canada's production value for watermelons and melons declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 15 187 thousand US dollars, down 4.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 4.6%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 1.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 18 324 thousand US dollars. The largest decrease occurred in 2019 with a 13.6% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 26.2%.

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

Exports watermelons and melons from Canada

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.6 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 1.5 thousand tonnes, representing a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.4 times. In 2020, Canada's foreign supplies of watermelons and melons reached 0.8 thousand tonnes, a 45.6% decrease compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 54.0%, and the most significant increase was in 2019 at 144.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States served as the primary destination for Canada's watermelon and melon exports, consistently accounting for 99.5% of total export volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The lowest export value was recorded in 2018 at 0.3 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 0.5 million US dollars, reflecting a two-fold gap. In 2020, Canada's watermelon and melon exports amounted to 0.3 million US dollars, down 46.9% from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 100.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States dominated Canada's watermelon and melon exports in value terms, consistently representing 98.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports watermelons and melons to Canada

Imports in kind, K t

Canada's import volume of watermelons and melons declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 360.0 thousand tonnes, a 2.8% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 2.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 0.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 386.7 thousand tonnes. The largest decrease occurred in 2019 at 4.2%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 4.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (49.9% of import volume), Mexico (23.5%), and Guatemala (13.6%) were the main sources for Canada's watermelon and melon imports, together accounting for 87.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Canada's foreign supplies of watermelons and melons declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value reached 207.8 million US dollars, showing no significant change compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 5.2%, with an average annual decline of 1.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (50.7% of import value), Mexico (20.8%), and Guatemala (15.0%) were the main suppliers of watermelons and melons to Canada, together comprising 86.4% of total import value.

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

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