Watermelons and melons market in Saint Lucia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for watermelons and melons in Saint Lucia showed considerable movement between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 862 tons in 2018, market volume remained stable at 868 tons in 2019 before contracting sharply to 661 tons in 2020 and 456 tons in 2021. This was followed by a recovery phase, with the market growing to 495 tons in 2022 and reaching 568 tons in 2023.

The market's decline was closely tied to a dramatic fall in imports, which dropped from 364 tons in 2018 to 59 tons in 2021. Domestic production also varied, peaking at 564 tons in 2019, then falling to 397 tons in 2021 before rising again to 510 tons in 2023. The combined effect of these shifts led to the overall reduction in market volume during the downturn.

By 2023, the market had partially recovered, though it remained below its 2018-2019 level. Production contributed 510 tons, while imports stayed low at 65 tons, indicating that the supply was predominantly sourced domestically during this period.

Production watermelons and melons in Saint Lucia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of watermelons and melons, 2017-2020

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

After two years of growth, watermelon and melon production in Saint Lucia declined. In 2020, the country produced 440.5 t of watermelons and melons, which represents a 21.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 8.4%, with an average annual decline of 2.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 564.0 t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 12.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Saint Lucia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports watermelons and melons from Saint Lucia

Exports in kind, t

The market demonstrated volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, showing a 139-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Saint Lucia's watermelon and melon export volume was 0.3 t, down 89.7% year-over-year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 2.8 t, while the largest percentage increase occurred in 2018 at 10 847.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Saint Lucia's watermelon and melon exports in volume terms were Antigua and Barbuda (41.6% of exports), the United Kingdom (35.5% of exports), and the Bahamas (17.4% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 94.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Export values hit their lowest point in 2017 and reached their peak in 2019, with a 107-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Saint Lucia's watermelon and melon export value was 0.2 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp decline of 94.6% compared to 2019. The highest export value was recorded in 2019 at 3.9 thousand US dollars, while the largest percentage increase occurred in 2018 at 8 174.2%.

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

During 2017–2020, the leading destinations for Saint Lucia's watermelon and melon exports in value terms were Antigua and Barbuda (42.2% of exports), the United Kingdom (35.0% of exports), and the Bahamas (19.5% of exports). Collectively, these three markets represented 96.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports watermelons and melons to Saint Lucia

Imports in kind, t

Watermelon and melon import volumes to Saint Lucia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 220.8 t, representing a significant decrease of 28.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 49.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 20.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, watermelon and melon imports to Saint Lucia were predominantly sourced from the United States, which accounted for 94.3% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Watermelon and melon import values to Saint Lucia declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 257.2 thousand US dollars, down 29.7% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import values decreased by 44.4%, with an average annual decline of 17.8%.

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

During 2017–2020, nearly all watermelon and melon imports to Saint Lucia in value terms came from the United States, which represented 94.9% of total import value.

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

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