Watermelons and melons market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for watermelons and melons in Russia stood at 1.98 million tonnes in 2018, with imports from Turkey, Iran, and Uzbekistan influencing assortment and prices. Over the next two years, the market shrank to 1.61 million tonnes by 2020, primarily due to lower harvests that raised retail costs and reduced overall fruit sales. A sharp rebound followed in 2021, when volume jumped 20% to 1.94 million tonnes as domestic producers adapted to sanctions and expanded local production.

After a decline to 1.76 million tonnes in 2022, the market recovered to 1.88 million tonnes in 2023, supported by an 18% rise in watermelon and melon yields compared to the ten‑year average and increased agricultural capacity. Throughout the period, the market saw the introduction of new varieties aimed at the domestic market, a continued reliance on early‑season imports, and a notable surge of nearly 30% in online sales of watermelons and melons in 2024.

Production watermelons and melons in Russia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia ranked 11th globally in the production of watermelons and melons.

Top producers of watermelons and melons, 2017-2020

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

Russia's production of watermelons and melons declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 1 584 thousand tonnes, a significant drop of 11.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 12.7%, averaging an annual decrease of 4.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 970 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 8.5%.

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

Exports watermelons and melons from Russia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Russia exported 29 621 tonnes of watermelons and melons, a 27.4% decline from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 23.3%, with an average annual drop of 8.5%. The peak export volume occurred in 2019 at 40 791 tonnes, which also marked the largest increase of 21.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, Belarus, and Lithuania were the top buyers of Russian watermelons and melons, accounting for 34.7%, 29.7%, and 19.2% of exports in volume, respectively. Together, they represented 83.7% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Russia's watermelon and melon exports were valued at 4 783 thousand US dollars, down 2.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 3.1%, with an average annual decline of 1.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 631 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest drop of 6.2%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase of 6.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belarus, Ukraine, and Lithuania were the key markets for Russian watermelon and melon exports in value terms, with shares of 34.1%, 25.2%, and 24.0%, respectively. Combined, they made up 83.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports watermelons and melons to Russia

Imports in kind, t

Russia's imports of watermelons and melons grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 56 258 tonnes, a sharp rise of 40.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 8.8%, averaging an annual growth of 2.9%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 39 827 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 23.0%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Iran were the leading sources of watermelon and melon imports to Russia by volume, contributing 40.6%, 18.5%, and 9.9%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 69.0% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Russia's imports of watermelons and melons increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at 34 871 thousand US dollars, up 25.3% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value rose by 38.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan, Iran, and Uzbekistan remained the primary suppliers of watermelons and melons to Russia in value terms, with shares of 17.6%, 17.4%, and 15.8%, respectively. Collectively, they represented 50.8% of total import value.

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

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