Watermelons and melons market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh watermelons and melons in Spain showed initial stability from 2018 to 2019, with domestic consumption around 670-679 thousand tonnes. The launch of the VERNO brand by distributor Martimar in 2019 marked a push toward branded national produce, while supermarket chains like Grupo Dia and Aldi increased investments in summer fruit. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to more at-home consumption, boosting demand. Retailer Aldi raised its national purchases of melons and watermelons by over 15% between 2020 and 2022, contributing to a market size increase to 778 thousand tonnes that year.

Market growth continued through 2021-2023, reaching 932 thousand tonnes by 2023. Supermarket chains further strengthened their commitment to national and seasonal produce: Aldi continued to expand purchases, Lidl increased acquisitions of summer fruit like watermelons by 8%, and Mercadona also prioritized fresh Spanish items. Per capita consumption of watermelons and melons grew 1.8% between 2022 and 2023, supporting overall market expansion despite a broader decline in fresh fruit consumption.

Production watermelons and melons in Spain

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Spain ranked 10th 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

In 2020, Spain produced 1 846 thousand tonnes of watermelons and melons, marking a slight decrease of 0.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 4.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 1 757 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 1 860 thousand tonnes. The most significant increase was in 2019, when production rose by 5.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of watermelon and melon production in Spain reached 1 269 million US dollars, representing a 13.3% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 22.7%, averaging 7.1% per year. The largest decline was in 2019, when the value dropped by 7.0%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, with a 16.5% rise.

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

Exports watermelons and melons from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

After two consecutive years of growth, Spain's exports of watermelons and melons declined in 2020. The country exported 1 273 thousand tonnes that year, down 6.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 7.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.5%. The highest export volume was in 2019 at 1 367 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 8.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom were the top buyers of Spanish watermelons and melons by volume. Germany accounted for 34.9% of exports, France for 20.4%, and the United Kingdom for 10.2%. Together, these three countries represented 65.5% of Spain's total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Spain's exports of watermelons and melons were valued at 875.2 million US dollars, showing a modest increase of 6.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 26.6%, averaging 8.2% annually. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 4.7% drop, while the most significant increase was in 2018, rising by 24.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for Spanish watermelon and melon exports by value were Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. Germany made up 31.7% of export value, France 23.9%, and the United Kingdom 9.9%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 65.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports watermelons and melons to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

Spain imported watermelons and melons totaling 1 273 thousand tonnes in 2020, which was 16.7% higher than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 28.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.8%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, when imports fell by 2.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three main markets—Morocco, Brazil, and Senegal—together accounted for 91.2% of Spain's total imports of watermelons and melons by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Spain's imports of watermelons and melons were valued at 147.8 million US dollars, indicating an 18.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 26.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.2%. The largest decline was in 2019, when the value dropped by 7.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Brazil, Morocco, and Senegal remained the key sources for Spain's watermelon and melon imports by value. Brazil accounted for 39.9% of import value, Morocco for 39.5%, and Senegal for 12.1%. Together, these three countries represented 91.5% of total import flows.

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

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