Market research

Watermelons and melons market in Tanzania

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

Report language:

Report language:

Submission method: to your account

File format: docx, xlsx

Single Report

$500

Instant access to detailed data on one specific market
Ideal for one-off tasks: niche assessments, presentations, investment decisions
Available in Excel and Word in 15 minutes after purchase
Cheaper than subscription, but each market requires a separate purchase

Best if you know exactly what you need

Buy a single report

Platform Subscription

from$600

Complete and unlimited data access across products and regions
Includes continuous data updates during subscription period
Download reports instantly in Word, and Excel formats
More cost-effective for multiple markets or regular analysis

Ideal for regular data users

View pricing plans

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh watermelons and melons in Tanzania expanded steadily from 66.8 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 102.2 thousand tonnes in 2023, driven by a consistent increase in domestic production. This growth accelerated from 2020 onward, supported by the horticulture sector's rising export potential and government initiatives to formalize agricultural trade.

Key factors behind the production surge included Tanzania's emergence as a top global vegetable producer, with horticultural exports earning significant revenue. Efforts by the Tanzania Horticultural Association to link farmers with international buyers, particularly in Europe and Asia, provided new market outlets for melons and watermelons.

Further momentum came from increased budget allocations for irrigation, enhanced access to agricultural credit through the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank, and the launch of the Tanzania Mercantile Exchange's online platform, which improved price transparency and market efficiency for fresh produce.

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 Tanzania
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Tanzania in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Tanzania 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, K 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, K 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 Tanzania in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Tanzania 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 Tanzania in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Tanzania 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 Tanzania, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Tanzania 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 Tanzania in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Tanzania 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 Tanzania in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Tanzania 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 Tanzania, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Tanzania 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 Tanzania in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Tanzania 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 Tanzania in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Tanzania 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 Tanzania, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Tanzania 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 Tanzania in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Tanzania 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 Tanzania in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Tanzania 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 Tanzania, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Tanzania 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 Tanzania

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

Tanzania's production of watermelons and melons has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 75 357 tonnes, marking a moderate increase of 9.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 17.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6.1%	1.2%	9.7%	5.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports watermelons and melons from Tanzania

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 3.6-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Tanzania exported 600 tonnes of watermelons and melons, representing a moderate decline of 5.1% from the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 140 tonnes. The largest year-on-year decrease occurred in 2019 at 44.6%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 264.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	264.0%	(44.6%)	(5.1%)	24.2%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya and the United Arab Emirates were the dominant markets for Tanzania's exports in volume terms, together accounting for 81.7% of total shipments. The remaining share was distributed among other destinations.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export values varied significantly, with a 3.8-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2018. In 2020, Tanzania's watermelon and melon exports were valued at 81.3 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp drop of 36.9% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 71.3 thousand US dollars. The largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2018 at 74.0%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 80.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(74.0%)	80.8%	(36.9%)	(33.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Arab Emirates (41.5% of export value), Kenya (29.4%), and the Netherlands (27.1%) together absorbed 98.0% of Tanzania's total watermelon and melon export value, making them the primary markets.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports watermelons and melons to Tanzania

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with a 128-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Tanzania imported 1 tonne of watermelons and melons, showing a sharp increase of 29.1% from 2019. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.4 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2018 at 51 tonnes. The largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2019 at 99.2%, and the biggest increase was in 2018 at 1 271.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1 271.5%	(99.2%)	29.1%	(48.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya dominated Tanzania's import structure in volume terms, accounting for 90.6% of total imports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import values reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2017, with a 37-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Tanzania imported watermelons and melons worth 0.1 thousand US dollars, indicating an uptick of 14.1% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.1 thousand US dollars. The largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2019 at 95.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(42.5%)	(95.3%)	14.1%	(68.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

Over the 2017-2020 period, South Africa and Kenya clearly dominated Tanzania's import structure in value terms, while other countries accounted for the remaining share.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io