Watermelons and melons market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh watermelon and melon market in Northern Africa experienced a contraction from 2018 to 2020, with volume falling from 6.3 million tons to 5.4 million tons. A subsequent recovery lifted the market to 5.9 million tons in 2022, before a drop back to 5.4 million tons in 2023.

By 2024, Northern Africa had reinforced its role as a primary supplier of melons and watermelons to Europe and North America during their off-season from October to March. Spanish company investments in watermelon production in Senegal began influencing regional supply, while urban consumer trends showed growing demand for high-quality, convenient, and safe melon products available in modern retail chains.

Large agribusinesses like Compagnie Fruitière utilized their West African plantation networks to supply watermelons and honeydews to international markets. Global factors, including weather disruptions in key producing regions like Spain, further highlighted Northern Africa's strategic importance in balancing global supply and demand.

Production watermelons and melons in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of watermelons and melons, 2017-2020

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

Watermelon and melon production in Northern Africa declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 5 751 thousand tonnes, marking a slight decrease of 1.9% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 6.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.3%. The highest output was recorded in 2018 at 6 558 thousand tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 6.4% also occurring that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the most significant drop, with production falling by 10.6%.

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

Exports watermelons and melons from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Northern Africa exported 324.6 thousand tonnes of watermelons and melons, representing a substantial increase of 35.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 35.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.7%. The only decline during this timeframe occurred in 2019, when exports decreased by 0.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Spain, and the Netherlands were the leading destinations for Northern Africa's watermelon and melon exports by volume. France accounted for 38.0% of exports, Spain for 27.6%, and the Netherlands for 6.5%. Together, these three countries represented 72.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Northern Africa's watermelon and melon exports reached 234.9 million US dollars in 2020, showing a sharp increase of 36.3% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value rose by 47.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.9%. The most notable decline occurred in 2019, when export value dropped by 18.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During the 2017-2020 period, France, Spain, and the Netherlands remained the primary markets for Northern Africa's watermelon and melon exports by value. France held 46.5% of export value, Spain 25.9%, and the Netherlands 6.0%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 78.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports watermelons and melons to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes of watermelons and melons into Northern Africa showed significant volatility between 2017 and 2020. The lowest point was in 2017, while imports peaked in 2019 at 2.8 thousand tonnes, creating a 5.4-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, imports totaled 0.8 thousand tonnes, a sharp decline of 71.5% compared to 2019. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when imports surged by 371.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, Senegal, and Spain were the main suppliers of watermelons and melons to Northern Africa by volume. Brazil accounted for 7.9% of imports, Senegal for 1.1%, and Spain for 0.7%. Together, these three countries represented 9.7% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of watermelon and melon imports into Northern Africa displayed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019 at 1.9 million US dollars, resulting in a 5.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, import value stood at 0.5 million US dollars, a steep decline of 74.7% year-over-year. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, when import value rose by 329.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The structure of Northern Africa's watermelon and melon imports by value from 2017 to 2020 indicates a diversified set of trading partners. Brazil accounted for 14.5% of import value, Senegal for 1.9%, and Costa Rica for 1.3%. Together, these three countries represented just 17.8% of total import value, with the remaining 82.2% spread across numerous smaller markets.

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

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