Watermelons and melons market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for watermelons and melons in Eastern Europe declined from 3.7 million tons to 3.2 million tons. This was primarily due to a reduction in the melon crop harvest in 2019, which raised retail prices, followed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 that decreased retail sales of fresh fruits by 5.7%.

The market recovered to 3.7 million tons in 2021 as yields improved and new product segments like mini-watermelons and mini-melons emerged, broadening the assortment. However, intensified sanction pressure in 2022 led to transitional challenges, pulling production down and reducing market volume to 2.9 million tons. In 2023, production rebounded with an 18% yield increase compared to a decade earlier, supported by the development of value-added processing such as state-backed chips made from watermelons and melons, helping market volume rise to 3.0 million tons.

In 2024, the market continued to evolve with a 30% growth in online sales and the adoption of new cultivation technologies. A harvest of 645,000 tons was projected, alongside stable prices and expanded seasonal retail outlets.

Production watermelons and melons in Eastern Europe (including Northern 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

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has seen its production of watermelons and melons decline for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 2 733 thousand tonnes, which represents a 15.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 13.8%, translating to an average annual decline of 4.8%. The peak was reached in 2018, with 3 418 thousand tonnes, marking the largest increase of 7.8% during this timeframe.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports watermelons and melons from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of watermelons and melons from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) have decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 57.4 thousand tonnes, down 22.9% from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 36.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -13.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, watermelons and melons from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were traded with numerous countries. Even the top destinations—Lithuania, Latvia, and Germany—combined accounted for only 24.8% of total exports in volume.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) exported watermelons and melons worth 29.4 million US dollars, showing a modest increase of 6.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports in value terms decreased by 16.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 27.8 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 35.5 million US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 21.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of exports in value terms was highly diversified. Lithuania, Germany, and Latvia accounted for 11.5%, 8.4%, and 4.4% of exports, respectively, totaling just 24.3% of the overall flows. The remaining 75.7% was spread across many smaller partner countries.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports watermelons and melons to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of watermelons and melons into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) have risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 495.7 thousand tonnes, up 15.9% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 32.1%, equivalent to an average annual increase of 9.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During 2017-2020, imports in volume were distributed across a broad range of partner countries. Greece, Italy, and Spain together made up 18.4%, 14.4%, and 13.0% of imports, respectively, totaling just 45.8% of the overall flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) imported watermelons and melons valued at 244.9 million US dollars, marking a 15.6% increase year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms rose by 40.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.9%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 25.7%, while the most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 3.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The country composition of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was dispersed. Spain, Germany, and Italy accounted for 19.0%, 11.9%, and 10.2% of imports, respectively, totaling just 41.1% of the overall flows. The remaining 58.9% was divided among a wide array of other destinations.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020