Watermelons and melons market in North Macedonia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh watermelons and melons in North Macedonia showed notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Market volume started at 127 thousand tons in 2018, fell to 118.9 thousand tons in 2019, and then stabilized near 120 thousand tons in 2020 and 2021. A more significant contraction to 115.1 thousand tons followed in 2022, before the market recovered to 121.8 thousand tons in 2023.

In 2022, the alignment of staple food prices with those in Bulgaria influenced cross-border consumer behavior and trade flows, which coincided with the reduction in domestic market volume. By 2024, planted areas for watermelons and melons recorded a substantial expansion—39% for watermelons and 44% for melons—driven by good soil moisture reserves and higher productivity. This increase was further encouraged by stricter controls and favorable purchase prices observed since 2023.

Legislative amendments to support agricultural producers and the launch of cross-inspections in 2024 also affected the production landscape. The market's openness to regional trade, with Bulgarian consumers being primary buyers for Macedonian watermelons and melons, continued to underpin demand.

Production watermelons and melons in North Macedonia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of watermelons and melons, 2017-2020

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

North Macedonia's production of watermelons and melons declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 126.1 thousand tons, representing a 1.0% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 3.1%, which translates to an average annual increase of 1.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 133.2 thousand tons, with the largest year-on-year increase of 8.9% also occurring that year. Conversely, the most significant decline happened in 2019, when production fell by 4.4%.

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

Exports watermelons and melons from North Macedonia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, North Macedonia exported 8 542 tons of watermelons and melons, which was 8.5% lower than the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 54.7%, averaging an annual decline of 23.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 7 422 tons, which also saw the largest decrease of 60.7%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase, with exports rising by 25.8%.

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

An analysis of export volumes from 2017 to 2020 reveals a diverse market distribution. The top three destinations—Czechia with 15.3% of exports, Serbia with 11.8%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina with 8.6%—collectively accounted for 35.8% of total flows. The remaining 64.2% was spread across numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, North Macedonia's cross-border shipments of watermelons and melons were valued at 1 708 thousand US dollars, marking a 23.8% decrease from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, export value fell by 42.4%, with an average annual decline of 16.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 622 thousand US dollars, which also saw the sharpest drop of 45.3%. On the other hand, 2019 posted the largest increase, with export value rising by 38.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, no single market dominated North Macedonia's watermelon and melon exports in value terms. The top three—Czechia with 16.1% of export value, Serbia with 11.4%, and Sweden with 9.8%—together made up 37.2% of total exports. The majority of the value, however, was distributed among many smaller partners, each holding modest individual shares.

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

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

Imports watermelons and melons to North Macedonia

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was in 2019 at 835 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 32.2%. In 2020, imports surged to approximately 2 323 tons, representing a dramatic 178.2% increase from 2019 and reaching the peak for the period. The difference between the high in 2020 and the low in 2019 was 2.8 times.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Albania dominated North Macedonia's imports of watermelons and melons in volume, accounting for 73.3% of total flows. The rest was divided among various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility in these years. Import value hit its lowest point in 2019 at 281 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 36.1%. In 2020, imports rose sharply to 631 thousand US dollars, a 124.4% year-over-year increase and the peak for the period. The value varied by 2.2 times from the low in 2019 to the high in 2020.

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

During 2017–2020, Albania was the dominant player in import value, capturing 72.4% of total flows. The remaining share was fragmented among a range of other, smaller markets.

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

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