Watermelons and melons market in Mexico

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh watermelons and melons in Mexico declined from 1.4 million t in 2018 to 1.2 million t in 2023. This reduction was primarily driven by growing exports, which increased from 653,000 t to 872,000 t over the same period. Mexico's consolidation as a leading supplier of fresh fruit to the North American market following the NAFTA agreement, and later USMCA, encouraged producers to focus on external markets.

In 2020, domestic market volume temporarily rose to 1.3 million t as exports dipped due to dependence on international prices and exchange rates. However, by 2022 exports recovered to 520,000 t and surged to 872,000 t in 2023, coinciding with the continued leadership of states like Sonora, Colima, and Tamaulipas in international sales. The 37.84% increase in agricultural input prices in 2022 also affected production costs, potentially making exports more attractive for growers.

Despite falling domestic consumption, the industry was supported by rising demand for healthy and fresh produce, which spurred innovations such as new melon varieties with 'ready-to-eat' labeling. The strengthening of the binational outbreak notification protocol between Mexico and the United States in 2022 ensured export products met safety standards, bolstering confidence among international buyers.

Production watermelons and melons in Mexico

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Mexico ranked as the world's 9th largest producer of watermelons and melons by volume.

Top producers of watermelons and melons, 2018-2021

World map of production of watermelons and melons, 2018-2021

In 2021, Mexico produced 1 744 thousand tons of watermelons and melons, marking an 11.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 15.6%, with an average annual decline of 5.5%. The only increase during this time occurred in 2020, when production rose by 0.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

The value of watermelon and melon production in Mexico reached 865 million US dollars in 2021, a 25.4% drop compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, production value decreased by 27.1%, translating to an average annual decline of 10.0%. The sole increase was recorded in 2020, with a 1.0% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Mexico in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports watermelons and melons from Mexico

Exports in kind, K t

Mexico's exports of watermelons and melons declined for the second year in a row in 2021, totaling 401.0 thousand tons—a sharp 39.1% decrease from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports fell by 38.6%, with an average annual decline of 15.0%. The peak export volume was in 2019 at 724.4 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 11.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, the United States was the overwhelmingly dominant buyer of Mexican watermelons and melons, accounting for 99.4% of total export volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Mexico in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Mexico's export value of watermelons and melons fell for the second consecutive year in 2021, reaching 198.7 million US dollars—a 48.5% drop from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, export value decreased by 47%, with an average annual decline of 19.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 421.0 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 12.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

During 2018-2021, the United States accounted for nearly all of Mexico's watermelon and melon export value, with a 99.0% share of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Mexico in value, 2018-2021

Imports watermelons and melons to Mexico

Imports in kind, K t

Mexico's imports of watermelons and melons showed volatility from 2018 to 2021. In 2021, imports totaled 9.2 thousand tons, a 47.0% increase year-over-year. The lowest volume was in 2020 at 6.3 thousand tons, which saw the largest decline of 47.4%. From 2019 to 2020, imports fluctuated significantly, with a 1.9-fold difference between the peak and trough.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, 100.0% of Mexico's watermelon and melon import volume came from the United States, making it the overwhelmingly dominant supplier.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Mexico in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Mexico's import value of watermelons and melons declined for the second consecutive year in 2021, reaching 4.6 million US dollars—a 26.1% drop from the previous year. Between 2019 and 2021, import value decreased by 58.8%, with an average annual decline of 25.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mexico in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, the United States supplied almost exclusively all of Mexico's watermelon and melon imports, absorbing 100.0% of the total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Mexico in value, 2018-2021