Market research

Watermelons and melons market in Central America

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Central America" region includes following countries:

Belize

Costa Rica

El Salvador

Guatemala

Honduras

Mexico

Nicaragua

Panama

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for watermelons and melons in Central America began at 1 949 thousand metric tons in 2018, then dipped to 1 831 thousand metric tons in 2019 before recovering to 1 927 thousand metric tons in 2020. During this period, Honduras emerged as a relevant regional exporter of fresh melons, shaping competition and supply for international markets.

In 2021, the market expanded to 2 043 thousand metric tons, its highest point in the period. This growth coincided with a delayed Central American melon season and intense rains, which limited supply and competition, likely reducing exports and supporting domestic availability. The following year, however, market volume contracted sharply to 1 770 thousand metric tons.

By 2023, the market partially rebounded to 1 834 thousand metric tons. Looking ahead, the Central American mass consumer market has shown increasing emphasis on health and wellness, driving demand for products aligned with these values. Additionally, the European market remains a key destination for regional melon exports, fostering innovation and organization in production.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Central America
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Central America in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belize in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belize in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belize in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belize in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belize in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belize in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belize in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belize in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production watermelons and melons in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of watermelons and melons, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

In 2019, Central America produced 3 394 K t of watermelons and melons, marking the lowest output in the period. Production then increased to 3 470 K t in 2018, the highest level recorded, representing a 2.0% rise. In 2020, output was 3 395 K t, showing only a marginal fluctuation from 2019, with a slight decline of 2.2% noted in 2019.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.0%	(2.2%)	0.0%	(0.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Central America's watermelons and melons production, after rising for two years, declined in 2020. Output was valued at 1 643 M $ US, down 2.5% from 1 686 M $ US in 2019, which was the peak year with a 4.6% increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 4.6%, averaging a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.7%	4.6%	(2.5%)	1.5%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports watermelons and melons from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year advance, Central America's watermelons and melons exports declined in 2020. Shipments totaled 1 485 K t, a modest 6.4% drop from 1 586 K t in 2019, the highest level recorded with a 3.7% increase. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 2.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.1%	3.7%	(6.4%)	(1.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the dominant buyer of watermelons and melons from Central America, accounting for 81.1% of total exports in volume, while other countries shared the remaining portion.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year uptick, watermelons and melons exports from Central America declined in 2020. Exports stood at 719.0 M $ US, a modest 8.8% reduction from 788.1 M $ US in 2019, which was the peak year with a 10.9% increase.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.8%	10.9%	(8.8%)	0.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States played the leading role in exports by value, holding an 84.4% share of total flows, with other markets accounting for the remainder.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports watermelons and melons to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

The market exhibited an unstable trend over the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 9 K t, with a sharp 57.9% decline. They then surged to 23 K t in 2019, the highest level, marking a 156.2% increase. In 2020, imports fell to 17 K t, a 25.8% drop from 2019, resulting in a 2.6-fold variation between the 2018 minimum and 2019 maximum.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(57.9%)	156.2%	(25.8%)	(7.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States played a central role in imports by volume, accounting for 10.0% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports hit a low of 5.6 M $ US in 2018, with a steep 68.9% decline. They then jumped in 2019, recording the largest increase of 215.9%. In 2020, imported volumes totaled 12.6 M $ US, a sharp 28.6% fall from 2019, with a 3.2-fold variation from the 2017 high to the 2018 low.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(68.9%)	215.9%	(28.6%)	(11.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States remained the key supplier of watermelons and melons to Central America, accounting for 56.6% of total imports by value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io