Watermelons and melons market in Slovenia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh watermelons and melons in Slovenia experienced a significant contraction over the period from 2018 to 2023. Total market volume fell from 15 240 t in 2018 to 11 898 t in 2023, a decline of over 20%. The most pronounced drop occurred in 2021, when the market shrank by nearly 16% year-on-year to 12 920 t.

This reduction was primarily driven by a sharp decrease in imports, which are the main component of supply. Imports fell from 15 401 t in 2018 to 11 304 t in 2023. Domestic production, while fluctuating, remained at a relatively low level below 1 000 t per year and had a limited impact on the overall market size.

Following the steep decline in 2021, the market volume showed signs of stabilization in 2022 with a marginal increase, but contracted again in 2023, indicating ongoing challenges in maintaining previous consumption levels.

Production watermelons and melons in Slovenia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of watermelons and melons, 2017-2020

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

The market showed significant volatility during this period. Production reached its lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a {ampRatio}-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Slovenia produced 950.0 t of watermelons and melons, representing a 5.0% decrease compared to 2019. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 000.0 t. The largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2019, when production grew by 13.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the analyzed period. Production value hit its lowest point in 2017 and reached its peak in 2019, with a {ampRatio}-fold variation between these years. In 2020, the output of watermelons and melons in Slovenia was valued at 496.8 K $ US, reflecting a significant decline of 16.6% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 595.8 K $ US. The strongest year-over-year growth occurred in 2019, when production value increased by 31.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Slovenia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports watermelons and melons from Slovenia

Exports in kind, t

After two consecutive years of growth, Slovenia's exports of watermelons and melons declined. In 2020, export volume reached 933 t, marking a substantial drop of 15.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 44.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 13.1%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 098 t. The largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2018, when exports surged by 61.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Croatia (65.0% of exports in volume), Bosnia and Herzegovina (11.0% of exports in volume), and Italy (9.6% of exports in volume) formed the core group of trading partners for Slovenia's watermelon and melon exports. Together, these three countries accounted for 85.6% of total export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, Slovenia's watermelon and melon exports declined in value terms. In 2020, exports amounted to 488 K $ US, indicating a sharp decrease of 25.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 26.2%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 8.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 654 K $ US. The strongest year-over-year growth occurred in 2018, when export value rose by 38.5%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Croatia (60.9% of exports in value), Austria (9.6% of exports in value), and Italy (8.9% of exports in value) led the structure of Slovenia's watermelon and melon exports. Together, these three countries represented 79.5% of total export value flows.

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

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

Imports watermelons and melons to Slovenia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Slovenia imported 15 295 t of watermelons and melons, which was 2.0% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 21%, corresponding to an average annual decline rate of 7.6%. The largest year-over-year decrease occurred in 2018, when imports fell by 20.5%. The only year with growth was 2019, when imports increased by 1.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Italy, Austria, and Croatia—together accounted for 73.0% of Slovenia's total watermelon and melon imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Slovenia's watermelon and melon imports totaled 9 528 K $ US, representing a moderate decrease of 5.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value declined by 9.8%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 3.4%. The largest year-over-year decline occurred in 2018, when import value fell by 8.4%. The only year with growth was 2019, when import value increased by 4.4%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Austria (36.7% of imports in value), Italy (31.4% of imports in value), and Greece (6.8% of imports in value) formed the key group of trading partners for Slovenia's watermelon and melon imports. Together, these three countries accounted for 74.9% of total import value flows.

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

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