Market research

Watermelons and melons market in Sri Lanka

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh watermelons and melons in Sri Lanka displayed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023, with overall volume expanding by 24% from 19 583 tons to 24 293 tons. The period was marked by alternating years of growth and contraction, reflecting shifts in domestic production which dominated the market as imports and exports remained minimal.

A sharp surge of 34% lifted the market to 23 579 tons in 2020, followed by a moderate dip in 2021. Production again climbed in 2022, pushing the market to its peak of 25 181 tons, before a slight retreat in 2023. These movements were primarily driven by changes in local output, with external trade playing a negligible role.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Sri Lanka
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Sri Lanka in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Sri Lanka in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sri Lanka in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Sri Lanka by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sri Lanka in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Sri Lanka by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Sri Lanka, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Sri Lanka by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sri Lanka in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Sri Lanka by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sri Lanka in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Sri Lanka by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Sri Lanka, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Sri Lanka by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sri Lanka in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Sri Lanka by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sri Lanka in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Sri Lanka by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Sri Lanka, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Sri Lanka by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sri Lanka in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Sri Lanka by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sri Lanka in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Sri Lanka by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Sri Lanka, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Sri Lanka by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production watermelons and melons in Sri Lanka

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of watermelons and melons, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

In 2020, Sri Lanka produced 23,705 tonnes of watermelons and melons, representing a 31.8% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 45.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.3%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 9.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sri Lanka in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	22.0%	(9.6%)	31.8%	13.3%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports watermelons and melons from Sri Lanka

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Export volumes varied significantly, with a 4.9-fold difference between the peak in 2018 and the low in 2020. In 2020, Sri Lanka exported 133.6 tonnes of watermelons and melons, down 70.5% from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 658.8 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 141.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	141.7%	(31.2%)	(70.5%)	(21.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates and Maldives were the primary destinations for exports in kind, together accounting for 81.1% of total flows. Other trading partners individually contributed much smaller shares.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export values fluctuated dramatically, with a 9.1-fold variation between the maximum in 2018 and the minimum in 2020. In 2020, Sri Lanka's exports of watermelons and melons amounted to 77.0 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp decline of 72.2% from the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 697.4 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 339.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	339.6%	(60.2%)	(72.2%)	(21.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—Maldives, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia—collectively represented 89.0% of the total export value for watermelons and melons from Sri Lanka.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports watermelons and melons to Sri Lanka

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Import volumes showed a 46-fold fluctuation, with a peak in 2018 and a trough in 2020. In 2020, Sri Lanka imported 7.5 tonnes of watermelons and melons, an 85.0% decrease compared to 2019. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 342.5 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 85.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 62.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	62.2%	(85.4%)	(85.0%)	(67.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Oman dominated imports in kind, accounting for 84.4% of the total volume. The remaining imports were distributed among many countries, each with smaller individual shares.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import values changed by 15-fold from the peak in 2017 to the trough in 2020. In 2020, Sri Lanka imported approximately 38.9 thousand US dollars worth of watermelons and melons, representing an 83.3% reduction compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, rising by 105.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(80.6%)	105.9%	(83.3%)	(59.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Oman (53.8% of imports in value terms), Australia (25.8% of imports in value terms), and Thailand (9.2% of imports in value terms) were the leading suppliers of watermelons and melons to Sri Lanka, together accounting for 88.8% of total imports in value terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io