Market research

Watermelons and melons market in Malta

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market volume for fresh watermelons and melons in Malta contracted from 7 546 tons to 6 665 tons. The initial high volume in 2018 was supported by traditional summer cultivation in open fields and greenhouses, with watermelons being a staple sold at roadside stalls. The subsequent decline coincided with the global COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted agricultural supply chains and likely affected seasonal demand patterns.

Market volume recovered to 7 484 tons in 2021 as pandemic-related restrictions eased. In 2022, volume stabilized at 7 500 tons, a period marked by local agricultural innovation including the successful experimental cultivation of seedless watermelons, which introduced a new product segment to the market.

By 2023, the market volume fell to 7 014 tons. This decrease aligned with significant rises in production costs for Maltese farmers, stemming from the ongoing economic aftermath of the pandemic and the geopolitical impact of the Ukraine conflict, which squeezed profitability. Consumer preference for fresh, locally grown produce remained a constant feature of the market throughout the period.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Malta
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Malta in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Malta in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Malta in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Malta by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Malta in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Malta by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Malta, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Malta by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Malta in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Malta by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Malta in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Malta by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Malta, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Malta by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Malta in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Malta by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Malta in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Malta by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Malta, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Malta by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Malta in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Malta by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Malta in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Malta by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Malta, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Malta by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production watermelons and melons in Malta

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of watermelons and melons, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Malta's production of watermelons and melons has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 5,210 tonnes, marking a slight decrease of 4.8% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 18.9%, with an average annual decline of 6.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Malta in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(5.9%)	(9.4%)	(4.8%)	(6.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports watermelons and melons from Malta

Industry analysis shows that Malta did not export any watermelons or melons between 2017 and 2020.

Imports watermelons and melons to Malta

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Malta's imports of watermelons and melons dropped in 2020. Imports totaled 1,455 tonnes that year, down 25.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 25.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.8%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 1,945 tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 29.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	29.5%	29.1%	(25.2%)	7.8%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands—accounted for 94.0% of Malta's total watermelon and melon imports by volume.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

After increasing for two years, Malta's imports of watermelons and melons in value terms declined in 2020. The country imported 1,408 thousand US dollars worth of these fruits that year, representing a significant drop of 11.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 37%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 11.1%. The peak was in 2019 at 1,583 thousand US dollars, with the biggest year-on-year rise happening in 2018 at 32.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	32.6%	16.1%	(11.0%)	11.1%

Source: SHEV.io

During the 2017-2020 period, three major markets—Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain—dominated Malta's watermelon and melon imports in value, collectively making up 95.8% of the total.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io