Watermelons and melons market in Sudan

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the Sudanese watermelons and melons market fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, influenced significantly by shifts in export activity. In 2019, the market contracted as exports rose sharply, spurred by policies encouraging large public shareholding companies for agricultural export and the creation of the Sudanese Free Zones and Markets Company to facilitate overseas sales. This pattern intensified in 2021 when exports jumped to 6.3 thousand tons following the launch of a major crop exchange in Al-Ubayyid, diverting more produce from domestic consumption.

A reversal in export trends allowed the domestic market to recover in later years. By 2022 and 2023, lower export volumes, coupled with the first small imports in 2023, helped increase domestic availability despite production challenges. These challenges included armed conflicts displacing farm labor and raising costs, which prompted farmers to expand cultivation in safer rain-fed states like Al-Qadarif to sustain output.

Looking to 2024, planting expanded substantially, with 75 thousand acres of watermelons sown in states including Al-Qadarif, Kassala, and Halfa Al-Jadida. However, the sector continued to face financial constraints, high input costs due to foreign exchange shortages, and increased transport fees, even as official projections anticipated production would meet national demand.

Production watermelons and melons in Sudan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of watermelons and melons, 2017-2020

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

After two years of decline, Sudan's production of watermelons and melons has increased. In 2019, production reached its lowest point at 213.5 thousand tonnes, with a slight decrease of 0.4% from the previous year. By 2020, production had stabilized at 214.5 thousand tonnes, showing minimal change compared to 2019.

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

Exports watermelons and melons from Sudan

Exports in kind, t

Sudan's exports of watermelons and melons have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 3 740 tonnes, marking a 23.6% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 562.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 87.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Sudan's watermelon and melon exports in volume terms were Turkey, accounting for 57.5% of exports, Kuwait with 21.2%, and Saudi Arabia at 6.8%. Together, these three countries represented 85.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Sudan's export value for watermelons and melons has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 1 943 thousand US dollars, up by 3.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 1 255.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 138.5%.

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

In value terms from 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the leading market for Sudan's watermelon and melon exports, making up 55.9% of the total, followed by Kuwait at 19.6% and Saudi Arabia at 8.2%. Combined, these three markets accounted for 83.8% of all export value.

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

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

Imports watermelons and melons to Sudan

According to industry reports, Sudan did not import any watermelons or melons from 2017 to 2020.