Watermelons and melons market in Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the Egyptian watermelons and melons market experienced significant fluctuations. The market volume reached 2.1 million tons in 2018, then declined to 1.5 million tons in 2019 and 1.3 million tons in 2020. It recovered to 1.5 million tons in 2021 and peaked at 2 million tons in 2022, before dropping again to 1.3 million tons in 2023.

In 2024, key developments included the expansion of cultivation to new desert areas like Toshka and East El-Uweinat, using seedlings to improve productivity, with planted area reaching 110 thousand feddans. New varieties such as orange watermelon were expected, and export facilitations from the European Union supported fruit exports. Consumer behavior was influenced by price increases and volatile weather, while distribution widened through major retailers and online channels.

Production watermelons and melons in Egypt

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt ranked 12th globally in the production of watermelons and melons.

Top producers of watermelons and melons, 2017-2020

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

Egypt's production of watermelons and melons fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1 264 thousand tonnes, marking a significant year-on-year decline of 16.9%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production dropped by 32.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -12.3%. The highest output was in 2018 at 2 112 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 12.7%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the steepest decline of 28.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of watermelons and melons production in Egypt decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 756 million US dollars, down 17.1% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 25.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.5%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 1 253 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 23.0%. The most substantial drop was in 2019, with a decline of 27.3%.

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

Exports watermelons and melons from Egypt

Exports in kind, t

Egypt's exports of watermelons and melons declined for the third year running. In 2020, the country exported 9 786 tonnes, a decrease of 4.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports plummeted by 75.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -37.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates were the top buyers of Egyptian watermelons and melons by volume. Kuwait accounted for 43.0% of exports, Saudi Arabia for 16.5%, and the UAE for 7.9%, together making up 67.5% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Egypt's exports of watermelons and melons in value terms fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 5 854 thousand US dollars, a slight decline of 4.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value dropped by 72.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -35.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates were the leading partners for Egypt's watermelons and melons exports by value. Kuwait represented 42.0% of export value, Saudi Arabia 17.0%, and the UAE 7.6%, collectively accounting for 66.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports watermelons and melons to Egypt

Imports in kind, t

The import market for watermelons and melons in Egypt showed an unstable trend during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 16 tonnes, down 83.6% from the previous year, and peaked in 2018 at 97 tonnes, representing the largest increase of 220.4%. The gap between these years was 6.1-fold.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and Spain were consistently the main sources for Egypt's imports of watermelons and melons by volume, together accounting for 21.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Egypt's import market for watermelons and melons displayed volatility from 2017 to 2020. Imports bottomed out in 2019 at 15 thousand US dollars, a drop of 85.4% from the year before, and peaked in 2018 at 105 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 238.7%. The difference between these years was 6.9-fold.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany and Spain remained the key destinations for Egypt's imports of watermelons and melons by value, with a combined share of 20.5% of total import flows.

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

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