Watermelons and melons market in Moldova

Earlier Report Observations

The market for watermelons and melons in Moldova maintained a volume between 45,000 and 46,000 tonnes from 2018 through 2020. This stability was underpinned by the entry of new small and medium-sized farming businesses, which expanded cultivated areas and began adopting ecological growing methods. During 2020, warnings from the National Food Safety Agency regarding excessive nitrate levels in watermelons influenced consumer behavior, though the overall market impact was limited.

A sharp contraction occurred in 2022, with market volume falling to 31,196 tonnes. High temperatures that year led to an earlier harvest and drove up domestic watermelon prices almost double from 2021, which significantly reduced consumption. The market partially rebounded in 2023, reaching 36,489 tonnes, without specific reported factors for this recovery.

Production watermelons and melons in Moldova

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of watermelons and melons, 2017-2020

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

Moldova's production of watermelons and melons has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 28 891 tonnes, which represents a 35.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 48.5%, with an average annual decline rate of 19.9%.

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

Exports watermelons and melons from Moldova

Exports in kind, t

The volume of watermelons and melons exported from Moldova has decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2019, exports amounted to 131 tonnes, reflecting an 82.9% drop compared to 2018. Between 2017 and 2019, exports declined by 83%, which translates to an annualized decrease of 44.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Moldova's watermelon and melon exports were Ukraine, Latvia, and Estonia. Together, these countries accounted for 71.0% of the total export volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their peak in 2018 and hit their lowest point in 2019, with a 4.8-fold difference between these years. In 2019, the value of watermelon and melon exports from Moldova was recorded at 28 thousand US dollars, down 79.3% year-over-year. The highest value was in 2018 at 137 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase occurring that year at 71.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Latvia, Estonia, and Ukraine were the top contributors to Moldova's watermelon and melon export value. Latvia accounted for 40.1%, Estonia for 17.6%, and Ukraine for 15.3% of the total export value, collectively making up 73.0% of all flows.

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

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

Imports watermelons and melons to Moldova

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Imports peaked in 2020 and reached their lowest point in 2018, with a 24-fold variation between these years. In 2020, watermelon and melon shipments to Moldova from abroad totaled 16 568 tonnes, an increase of 803.0% compared to the previous year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 701 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 16.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Moldova's watermelon and melon imports were heavily concentrated on Ukraine, which accounted for 79.7% of the total volume. Other countries together made up the remaining share.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market demonstrated volatility during this period. Import values fluctuated significantly, with a 14.7-fold difference between the high in 2020 and the low in 2018. In 2020, Moldova's watermelon and melon imports totaled 5 424 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp rise of 765.5% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 370 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 2.4%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, Greece, and Turkey formed the main cluster of markets for Moldova's watermelon and melon imports in value terms. Ukraine accounted for 68.9%, Greece for 8.8%, and Turkey for 8.0% of the total import value, together representing 85.7% of all flows.

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

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