Watermelons and melons market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh watermelons and melons in the CIS began at 7.3 million tons in 2018, supported by growing domestic production and consumption. A smaller harvest in 2019 led to a decline in market volume to 6.9 million tons, and the COVID-19 pandemic caused a further contraction to 6.7 million tons in 2020 as retail sales dropped.

Production recovered in 2021, with expanded planting areas and higher yields driving the market to 7.4 million tons. After a slight decrease to 7.2 million tons in 2022, government support for agricultural producers helped push the market to a peak of 7.7 million tons in 2023. New labeling and traceability requirements were introduced during this period, while online sales channels and new product varieties began to influence the market structure.

Production watermelons and melons in CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of watermelons and melons, 2017-2020

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

Production of watermelons and melons in the CIS has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 6,759 thousand tonnes, which represents a 2.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 10%, translating to an average annual decline of 3.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of decline, the value of watermelon and melon production in the CIS increased in 2020. Output was valued at 3,995 million US dollars, marking a modest rise of 8.5% over the previous year. However, between 2017 and 2020, the total value decreased by 5.7%, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 2.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 3,682 million US dollars, while the largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2018 at 7.2%.

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

Exports watermelons and melons from CIS

Exports in kind, K t

Cross-border shipments of watermelons and melons from the CIS increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 119.8 thousand tonnes, up by 25.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 34.4%, with an average annual increase of 10.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 70.9 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 20.4% that year. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 34.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, Latvia, and Lithuania remained the top buyers of watermelons and melons from the CIS in terms of volume. Ukraine accounted for 6.9% of exports, Latvia for 3.4%, and Lithuania for 3.1%. Together, these three countries represented 13.4% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Exports of watermelons and melons from the CIS increased in value for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totalled 70,812 thousand US dollars, which is 39.7% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 40.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 37,785 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 24.8% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, Latvia, and Lithuania were the main destinations for watermelon and melon exports from the CIS in value terms. Ukraine accounted for 4.8% of exports, Latvia for 3.6%, and Lithuania for 2.4%. Collectively, these three countries made up 10.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports watermelons and melons to CIS

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes of watermelons and melons into the CIS showed irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. In 2020, imports reached 77.7 thousand tonnes, marking a sharp increase of 105.3% compared to 2019. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 36.0 thousand tonnes, which also saw a decline of 2.9% that year. Imports peaked in 2020 and hit their lowest point in 2018, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of watermelons and melons into the CIS relied on a diverse range of partner countries. Ukraine accounted for 6.4% of imports in kind, Iran for 6.0%, and Turkey for 4.2%. Together, these three countries represented just 16.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of watermelons and melons into the CIS increased in value for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 69,783 thousand US dollars, up by 68.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 103.2%, equating to an average annual increase of 26.7%.

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

The structure of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 can be described as diversified. Iran accounted for 14.2% of imports, Brazil for 9.6%, and Turkey for 7.3%. Together, these three countries represented just 31.0% of total flows, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position.

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

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