Watermelons and melons market in Kazakhstan

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the market for fresh watermelons and melons in Kazakhstan expanded from 1 995 thousand tonnes to 2 720 thousand tonnes. This growth was primarily driven by the State Program for the Development of the Agro-Industrial Complex for 2017-2021, which provided subsidies and preferential loans for melon and gourd crops, encouraging farmers to increase planted areas. Additionally, rising export demand from Russia in 2020 provided a significant outlet for Kazakh producers, supporting domestic production volumes.

After a decline to 2 583 thousand tonnes in 2022, the market recovered to 2 821 thousand tonnes in 2023. The rebound was facilitated by the reduction of certain government regulations on socially important products, which lowered production and distribution costs. Concurrently, the publication of official recommendations on suitable varieties and cultivation zones for melons and watermelons led to expanded planting in key southern regions, boosting domestic supply.

Throughout the period, regulatory measures such as the introduction of labeling and quality control requirements for food products, starting in 2018, gradually raised market standards. By 2023, the industry showed signs of consolidation with the growing role of large agricultural enterprises, which contributed to more stable market output.

Production watermelons and melons in Kazakhstan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan ranked seventh 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

Watermelon and melon production in Kazakhstan grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 2 425 thousand tonnes, marking a slight increase of 1.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 15.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.0%.

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

Exports watermelons and melons from Kazakhstan

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Kazakhstan exported 155.7 thousand tonnes of watermelons and melons, a 5.8% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 19.7%, averaging 6.2% per year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 2.4%, while the highest increase was recorded in 2018, at 15.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia was the dominant destination for Kazakhstan's watermelon and melon exports in volume, accounting for 93.4% of total shipments.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Kazakhstan's watermelon and melon exports totaled 27 441 thousand US dollars, reflecting a significant decline of 14.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, exports decreased by 32.9%, with an average annual drop of 12.4%. The lowest value was in 2018, at 26 107 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 36.1%. The highest increase occurred in 2019, at 22.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia effectively monopolized the value of watermelon and melon exports from Kazakhstan, capturing 91.8% of total export revenue.

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

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

Imports watermelons and melons to Kazakhstan

Imports in kind, K t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. In 2019, imports reached their lowest point at 3.3 thousand tonnes, then surged to 53.2 thousand tonnes in 2020, representing a dramatic increase of 1,536.0% year-over-year. This swing resulted in a 16-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, at 56.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uzbekistan was the primary source for Kazakhstan's watermelon and melon imports in volume, making up 96.7% of total inflows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Imports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with an 11.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Kazakhstan imported 13 268 thousand US dollars worth of watermelons and melons, a substantial increase of 1,041.1% compared to the prior year. The largest decline was in 2019, at 10.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uzbekistan remained the overwhelmingly dominant supplier of watermelons and melons to Kazakhstan in value terms, accounting for 95.6% of total import spending.

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

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