Watermelons and melons market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market for watermelons and melons in Croatia faced shifting dynamics. Initially, an expansion of cultivated area to 968 hectares supported domestic production, but growing imports from Greece, Albania, and North Macedonia pressured local farmers. By 2019, difficulties in selling the harvest due to low purchase prices and import competition led to a drop in production. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 severely reduced tourist demand, creating surpluses and pushing domestic buyers to focus on exports, which contributed to a sharp 31% contraction in market volume to 26 900 t.

Post-pandemic recovery began in 2021, with market volume rebounding by 47% to 39 600 t as tourism revived and growers adopted improved agronomic practices, including plant protection measures. However, structural issues persisted; in 2022, continued import competition and low prices again resulted in crop losses in the fields, despite increased collaboration between retailers and domestic producers. By 2023, production reached 31 400 t, helping the market volume recover to 40 300 t, close to pre-pandemic levels.

Throughout the period, regulatory changes played a role, with revisions to food labeling rules and the use of EU funds and state aids for agriculture aiming to stabilize the sector. These measures, along with the promotion of technological maturity for optimal harvest quality, shaped producer responses to market challenges.

Production watermelons and melons in Croatia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of watermelons and melons, 2017-2020

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

Croatia's production of watermelons and melons has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 18 270 tonnes, marking a 27.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 21.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 7.9%. The peak was reached in 2018 with 32 000 tonnes, and that year also saw the largest increase at 36.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of Croatia's watermelon and melon production has also dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 8 032 thousand US dollars, showing a significant decline of 22.5% year-over-year. However, over the broader 2017-2020 period, production value actually increased by 15%, averaging a 4.8% annual growth rate. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 11 681 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year reaching 67.3%.

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

Exports watermelons and melons from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Croatia's export volume of watermelons and melons has grown for the third year running. In 2020, the country exported 4 680 tonnes, which represents a 35.4% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 89.2%, averaging an impressive 23.7% annual growth rate.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Slovenia and Germany were the dominant partners in Croatia's watermelon and melon exports by volume, with all other countries combined making up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of Croatia's watermelon and melon exports has risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 2 058 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 43.8% gain compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value jumped by 178.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 40.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and Slovenia accounted for the majority of Croatia's watermelon and melon exports by value, while other markets played a smaller role.

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

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

Imports watermelons and melons to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Croatia's import volume of watermelons and melons stood at 13 299 tonnes in 2020, showing a sharp drop of 24.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 16.7%, averaging a 5.9% annual decline. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 12 507 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 17 603 tonnes. The largest increase was in 2019 at 40.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, Italy (35.8% of import volume), Greece (22.7%), and Albania (8.7%) led Croatia's watermelon and melon import structure, together representing 67.3% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After rising for two years, Croatia's watermelon and melon imports declined in 2020. The country imported 5 557 thousand US dollars worth, reflecting a sharp decrease of 36.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value fell by 12.4%, with an average annual decline of 4.3%. The highest value was in 2019 at 8 690 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase that year was 32.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy (38.8% of import value), Greece (20.2%), and Germany (8.6%) remained the main suppliers of watermelons and melons to Croatia, jointly accounting for 67.6% of total imports by value.

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

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