Watermelons and melons market in Cyprus

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the production of fresh watermelons and melons in Cyprus declined from 23,970 tonnes to 20,980 tonnes, while the total market volume shrank from 24,190 tonnes to 21,489 tonnes. This gradual contraction occurred without any major reported disruptions or specific market events in the available sources.

In 2022, the market experienced a sharper drop, with production falling to 17,980 tonnes and market volume to 18,321 tonnes. This decline coincided with a significant increase in prices for fresh vegetables, including watermelons and melons, due to higher production and distribution costs. These elevated costs likely reduced the profitability of cultivation and dampened consumer demand, leading to lower overall volumes. Concurrently, legislative measures and support policies for the agricultural sector continued, aiming to enhance competitiveness but not reversing the immediate pressure from cost inflation.

The downward trend persisted into 2023, with production dipping further to 16,380 tonnes and market volume to 17,082 tonnes. Imports, however, rose notably to 712 tonnes in 2023 and 918 tonnes in 2024, partially offsetting the domestic production decline. Ongoing agricultural support policies remained in place, focusing on the development and protection of farming, but no specific factors were reported that directly countered the market contraction during these years.

Production watermelons and melons in Cyprus

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of watermelons and melons, 2017-2020

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

Cyprus's production of watermelons and melons declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 21 790 tonnes, remaining nearly unchanged from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 7.9%, which translates to an annualized decline of 2.7%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 23 970 tonnes. The largest year-over-year decline occurred in 2019, with an 8.6% drop, while the largest increase was seen in 2018, with a modest 1.3% rise.

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

Exports watermelons and melons from Cyprus

Exports in kind, t

Cyprus's exports of watermelons and melons declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 23.6 tonnes, marking a 34.3% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 28.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -10.4%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 37.9 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 15.4% that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom and Greece were the primary destinations for Cyprus's exports of watermelons and melons, jointly accounting for 83.0% of total export flows. The remaining share was distributed among various other markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market for watermelons and melons in Cyprus showed an unstable trend over the period. Exports peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2020, with a 4.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports totaled 13.4 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp 70.3% decrease year-over-year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a 13.4% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom dominated Cyprus's exports in value terms, concentrating 74.3% of total export value. The remaining share was distributed among numerous other countries, each with smaller individual contributions.

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

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

Imports watermelons and melons to Cyprus

Imports in kind, t

The import market for watermelons and melons in Cyprus experienced noticeable fluctuations during the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a two-fold gap between these years. In 2020, imports stood at 353.2 tonnes, showing a significant 31.8% reduction compared to the previous year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 258.2 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2019 at 517.9 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a dramatic 100.5% surge.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, Greece, the Netherlands, and Germany were the leading sources for Cyprus's imports of watermelons and melons in kind. Greece accounted for 35.8% of imports, the Netherlands for 31.0%, and Germany for 20.3%, together making up 87.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Cyprus's imports of watermelons and melons totaled 324.8 thousand US dollars, indicating a 29.2% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports declined by 19.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -7.0%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 312.9 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 458.4 thousand US dollars. The largest increase was observed in 2019, with a 46.5% rise.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and Greece formed the core of Cyprus's imports in value terms. The Netherlands contributed 37.9% of import value, Germany 29.5%, and Greece 19.1%, collectively accounting for 86.5% of total import flows.

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

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