Watermelons and melons market in China

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for watermelons and melons in China showed relative stability, hovering near 75 000 thousand tons. A minor contraction to 74 549 thousand tons occurred in 2019, followed by a recovery to 75 321 thousand tons in 2020.

The market volume decreased to 74 815 thousand tons in 2021. That same year saw the formation of the Taizhou small watermelon industry alliance, an initiative designed to integrate the supply chain, standardize production, and promote green development, which may have supported longer-term industry coordination. Volume then rebounded to 76 225 thousand tons in 2022, a period in which industry analyses also noted a longer-term national trend of declining watermelon cultivation area.

Market growth continued in 2023, with volume reaching 76 833 thousand tons. By 2024, industry guidance emphasized production structure upgrades and a focus on small watermelons, while factors like prolonged rainy seasons in southern China impacted harvests and prices, and digital economy trends fostered deeper retail integration.

Production watermelons and melons in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

China was the world's leading producer of watermelons and melons from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of watermelons and melons, 2017-2020

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

Following a two-year decline, China's production of watermelons and melons rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 75 353 thousand tonnes, marking a 1.3% increase from the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 74 403 thousand tonnes, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 1.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of China's watermelon and melon output reached 96 258 million US dollars, representing a 3.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 3.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 90 868 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 99 854 million US dollars, which saw the largest annual increase of 9.9%.

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

Exports watermelons and melons from China

Exports in kind, K t

China's exports of watermelons and melons grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 129.4 thousand tonnes, up 1.9% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 21.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.7%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 97.1 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest annual decline of 9.0%. The most significant annual increase occurred in 2019 at 30.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Thailand were consistently the primary destinations for China's watermelon and melon exports by volume. Hong Kong accounted for 41.4% of exports, Vietnam for 31.3%, and Thailand for 7.7%, collectively representing 80.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, China's watermelon and melon exports were valued at 165.3 million US dollars, reflecting a 3.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value rose by 25.3%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 7.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 118.1 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 170.5 million US dollars. The largest annual decline was in 2018 at 10.5%, and the most significant increase was in 2019 at 44.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Thailand were the main buyers of Chinese watermelons and melons by value. Vietnam accounted for 38.0% of exports, Hong Kong for 37.3%, and Thailand for 9.3%, together comprising 84.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports watermelons and melons to China

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, China's imports of watermelons and melons declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 97.6 thousand tonnes, a 64.2% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 48.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 19.7%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 273.0 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 24.1%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Vietnam dominated China's watermelon and melon imports by volume, consistently accounting for 93.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

China's imports of watermelons and melons declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 16.6 million US dollars, which is 61.7% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 48%, with an annualized decline of 19.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 43.7 million US dollars, which experienced the largest annual increase of 37.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam was the primary source of China's watermelon and melon imports by value, absorbing 97.8% of total import value.

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

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