Watermelons and melons market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

Greek watermelon and melon production suffered severe climate shocks in 2018 and 2019, with a sharp 60-70% melon crop loss in Trikala due to bad weather and a further reduction from drought, heat, and decreased cultivation area. This drove the market volume down from 522 thousand tons in 2018 to 221 thousand tons in 2019. A partial recovery in 2020 was accompanied by steep retail price increases to €0.90/kg, as energy shortages and higher production costs squeezed supply, leading consumers to buy halves or quarters of fruit to save money.

The market expanded to 333 thousand tons in 2021, supported by an earlier harvest due to warmer temperatures and strong summer fruit demand, though prices remained volatile under broader Greek inflationary pressure. By 2022, an official warning about microbial risks from pre-cut fruit shifted retail practices toward whole-fruit sales, affecting distribution. Market volume eased to 306 thousand tons in 2022 and 291 thousand tons in 2023, while prices climbed to €1/kg. During this period, a new organic segment developed in Argolida, and rising early-season watermelon exports attracted foreign traders, altering production focus and pricing.

In 2024, prices doubled for watermelons and melons due to high inflation and energy costs, and the harvest appeared about 20 days early under favorable weather, shifting supply patterns. A digital VAT refund procedure for farmers boosted export volumes, and producers promoted direct-to-consumer sales via apps to reduce intermediary margins, reflecting a market adapting to regulatory and cost pressures through digitalization.

Production watermelons and melons in Greece

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Greece ranked 26th 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

In 2020, Greece produced 495.7 K t of watermelons and melons, marking a solid increase of 20.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 411.3 K t, while the highest was in 2018 at 704.9 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 41.7%, and the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 50.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market exhibited volatility during these years. The highest output value was noted in 2018, while the lowest was in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 1.8 times. In 2020, the output of watermelons and melons in Greece was valued at 155.7 M $ US, representing a robust gain of 14.0% from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 136.5 M $ US, and the maximum was in 2018 at 242.2 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 43.6%, and the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 74.5%.

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

Exports watermelons and melons from Greece

Exports in kind, K t

Exported volumes of watermelons and melons from Greece increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 213.3 K t, which is 10.4% higher than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 22%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in kind of watermelons and melons from Greece were distributed across many countries. Germany accounted for 17.4% of exports in kind, Italy for 14.7%, and Bulgaria for 10.3%, with these three countries together representing only 42.4% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Greece exported 66 993 K $ US worth of watermelons and melons, up by 4.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 29.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.7%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 24.4%.

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

The partner structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 remained fragmented. Germany held 19.1% of exports in value terms, Italy 16.4%, and Poland 10.0%, with these three countries together accounting for only 45.5% of total flows, and no single country achieving a dominant share.

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

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

Imports watermelons and melons to Greece

Imports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2020, while the maximum was in 2018, with a 2.5-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Greece imported 1.8 K t of watermelons and melons, equivalent to a sharp reduction of 25.7% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 4.6 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 47.1%, and the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 73.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany was the largest supplier of watermelons and melons to Greece, accounting for 29.2% of imports in kind, followed by Italy at 23.1%, and the Netherlands at 15.1%. Together, these three countries formed 67.4% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Greece's imports of watermelons and melons declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 1 514 K $ US, amounting to a steep contraction of 27.0% relative to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -3.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 595 K $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 56.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy formed the core group of markets for imports in value terms. Germany accounted for 45.7% of imports in value terms, the Netherlands for 26.3%, and Italy for 11.8%, together representing 83.9% of total flows.

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

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