Watermelons and melons market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the market volume for fresh watermelons and melons in Eastern Asia increased from 76.1 million tonnes to 78.1 million tonnes, despite reports of declining watermelon cultivation area. This growth was supported by the development of facility cultivation technology and a gradual southward shift in production, which helped maintain output. Policy objectives aimed at increasing the share of high-quality produce and ensuring year-round supply also provided a foundation for stable production.

Market dynamics were influenced by both supply and demand factors. In 2021, ample supply led to generally low prices, although severe weather and slightly reduced planting areas affected early yields. By 2022 and 2023, the expansion of protected cultivation and continued policy support for branding and quality helped volumes grow further. Consumer interest in regional specialty fruits, niche varieties, and organic products created steady demand, which was notably boosted by hot weather increasing watermelon consumption.

The industry saw ongoing upgrades, with a rising number of geographical indication and organic-certified products enhancing market quality. New watermelon varieties were introduced, and breeding research contributed to technological empowerment. While occasional oversupply and competitive planting among growers led to price fluctuations, the overall market adapted through differentiation and quality improvements, sustaining consumption growth through the period.

Production watermelons and melons in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of watermelons and melons, 2017-2020

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

Following two consecutive years of decline, watermelon and melon production in Eastern Asia rebounded in 2020. Output reached 76 606 thousand tons, marking a modest 1.2% increase from the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 75 688 thousand tons, while the most significant annual decline occurred in 2018 at 1.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of watermelon and melon production in Eastern Asia grew for the second straight year in 2020. Output was valued at 82 599 million US dollars, representing a 3.1% year-over-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 6.2%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 71 159 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 8.5%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most substantial increase at 12.6%.

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

Exports watermelons and melons from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Eastern Asia exported 165.5 thousand tons of watermelons and melons, showing a moderate 4.8% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 17.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 138.9 thousand tons, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 173.8 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 25.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia were the leading importers of watermelons and melons from Eastern Asia, though none dominated the market individually. Vietnam accounted for 29.9% of exports in volume, Thailand for 7.4%, and Malaysia for 6.6%. Together, these three countries represented 43.9% of total exports, with the remainder distributed among numerous smaller trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of watermelon and melon exports from Eastern Asia totaled 178.4 million US dollars in 2020, reflecting a slight 3.0% decline from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 25.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 130.1 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual decline of 8.7%. The highest value occurred in 2019 at 183.9 million US dollars, with the most significant annual increase of 41.4%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia formed the core group of markets for Eastern Asia's watermelon and melon exports in value terms. Vietnam accounted for 35.1% of export value, Thailand for 8.6%, and Malaysia for 8.5%. Collectively, these three countries represented 52.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports watermelons and melons to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, watermelon and melon imports into Eastern Asia declined in 2020. Imports reached 184.6 thousand tons, indicating a sharp 46.3% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import volume fell by 30.1%, equating to an average annual decline of 11.3%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 343.5 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 17.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam, Mexico, and Myanmar were the primary suppliers of watermelons and melons to Eastern Asia. Vietnam accounted for 68.6% of imports in volume, Mexico for 5.6%, and Myanmar for 4.7%. Together, these three countries supplied 78.9% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following two consecutive years of increase, the value of watermelon and melon imports into Eastern Asia dropped in 2020. Imports were valued at approximately 86.8 million US dollars, representing a significant 20.3% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value declined by 9.6%, with an average annual decrease of 3.3%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 108.9 million US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 8.3%.

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

In the 2017–2020 period, Vietnam, Mexico, and the United States formed the main cluster of markets for Eastern Asia's watermelon and melon imports in value terms. Vietnam accounted for 33.6% of import value, Mexico for 11.7%, and the United States for 9.8%. Collectively, these three countries represented 55.0% of total import flows.

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

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