Watermelons and melons market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2024, the fresh watermelon and melon market in Southern Europe was influenced by regulatory shifts and product innovation. The introduction of new melon varieties like Piel de Sapo and stricter EU pesticide rules in 2018 aimed at improving quality and differentiation. Subsequent EU regulations on origin labeling and digital traceability increased supply chain transparency for these fruits.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted logistics and exports in 2020, temporarily reducing market volume. Demand rebounded in 2021 with the return of summer tourism, while rising fertilizer and energy costs elevated production expenses. Drought in Spain during 2022 hampered local output, leading to greater reliance on imports to sustain market supply.

In 2023, the El Niño weather pattern further limited Spanish production but boosted Brazilian harvests, significantly increasing import volumes and contributing to market growth to 3.4 million tons. Lower ocean freight costs improved the competitiveness of South American melons in Europe. By 2024, ongoing adverse weather in Spain and rising consumer demand for premium varieties in Northern Europe continued to reshape the market structure.

Production watermelons and melons in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of watermelons and melons, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Southern Europe produced 4 316 thousand tons of watermelons and melons, marking a 1.6% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 2.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 4 440 thousand tons. The most significant decrease occurred in 2019, when production fell by 4.3%, while the largest increase was observed in 2018 with a 5.2% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of watermelon and melon production in Southern Europe reached 2 675 million US dollars, representing a 6.8% year-over-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 13.3%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 4.3%. The peak value was achieved in 2018 at 2 784 million US dollars. The most substantial decline took place in 2019 with a 10.1% drop, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 with an 18.0% surge.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports watermelons and melons from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Southern Europe exported 1 818 thousand tons of watermelons and melons, showing a 2.8% year-over-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 15.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.0%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 1.0% decrease, while the largest increase was observed in 2018 with a 13.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom formed the core group of markets for Southern Europe's watermelon and melon exports in volume terms. Germany accounted for 33.2% of exports, France for 15.4%, and the United Kingdom for 7.9%. Together, these three countries represented 56.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of watermelon and melon exports from Southern Europe reached 1 127 million US dollars, reflecting an 8.1% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 28.3%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 8.7%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 6.9% decrease, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 with a 27.5% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom consistently held leading positions in Southern Europe's watermelon and melon export value structure. Germany accounted for 31.7% of export value, France for 19.5%, and the United Kingdom for 8.4%. Collectively, these three markets represented 59.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports watermelons and melons to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Southern Europe's watermelon and melon import volume declined in 2020. The region imported 337 thousand tons that year, representing a sharp 25.7% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 5.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 454 thousand tons, which also marked the largest increase during the period with a 38.8% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Southern Europe's watermelon and melon imports in volume terms showed no single dominant market. Morocco accounted for 17.6% of imports, Brazil for 17.0%, and Senegal for 5.4%. Together, these three countries represented only 39.9% of total import volume, with many smaller partners each holding modest individual shares.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Southern Europe's watermelon and melon import value declined in 2020. The region imported watermelons and melons worth 312 million US dollars that year, representing a 9.2% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 12.6%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 4.0%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 312 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with an 11.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Southern Europe's watermelon and melon imports in value terms were characterized by a broad distribution across markets. Brazil accounted for 21.1% of import value, Morocco for 18.7%, and Senegal for 5.9%. Together, these three countries represented only 45.7% of total import flows.

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

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