Market research

Watermelons and melons market in the United Arab Emirates

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The UAE watermelon and melon market grew from 203 thousand tons in 2018 to 223 thousand tons in 2019. This increase coincided with the adoption of sustainable and smart agricultural technologies like hydroponics and smart irrigation, which enhanced domestic production of fresh fruits. Additionally, the release of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority's guide in 2019, which identified suitable fruit varieties for cultivation in the country, helped optimize agricultural practices.

Market volume contracted to 175 thousand tons in 2020, largely due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic that affected global supply chains and demand. However, the market rebounded to 234 thousand tons in 2021, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, supported by the resumption of economic activity and sustained demand for fresh fruit.

The market continued to expand, reaching 284 thousand tons in 2022, then stabilized at 277 thousand tons in 2023. During this period, the UAE made progress in sustainable agriculture through pilot projects inspired by premium products like square watermelons and invested in modern technology to boost food security. Furthermore, directives announced in 2024 to develop the world's largest food, vegetable, and fruit market in Dubai and the growth of cold chain logistics indicate ongoing efforts to enhance distribution infrastructure.

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. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in the United Arab Emirates
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in the United Arab Emirates 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. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K 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 the United Arab Emirates

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

The United Arab Emirates has seen its production of watermelons and melons grow for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 7 202 tonnes, which represents a 9.7% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 188.9%, translating to an impressive compound annual growth rate of 42.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	136.3%	11.4%	9.7%	42.4%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The market for watermelons and melons in the United Arab Emirates showed significant volatility during this period. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2019, with a 3.1-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, the output was valued at 3 586 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial decline of 10.7% from the previous year. The highest value was 4 016 thousand US dollars in 2019, and the largest annual increase was 195.1% in 2018.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	195.1%	5.5%	(10.7%)	40.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports watermelons and melons from the United Arab Emirates

Exports in kind, K t

The United Arab Emirates has experienced a third consecutive year of growth in its exports of watermelons and melons. In 2020, exports reached 49.0 thousand tonnes, showing a sharp rise of 144.8% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports skyrocketed by 2 622.1%, which corresponds to an annualized growth rate of 200.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	652.7%	47.7%	144.8%	200.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Bahrain and Kuwait were the dominant destinations for the United Arab Emirates' exports of watermelons and melons in volume terms. Together, they accounted for 86.5% of total exports, with the remaining share going to other markets.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

For the third year in a row, the United Arab Emirates has seen an increase in the value of its watermelons and melons exports. In 2020, exports totaled 24 407 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp uptick of 99.3% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value surged by 2 518%, equating to an annualized rate of 196.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	839.7%	39.8%	99.3%	196.9%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the key destinations for the United Arab Emirates' watermelons and melons exports in value terms were Bahrain, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. Bahrain accounted for 45.4% of exports, Kuwait for 25.9%, and Afghanistan for 18.0%. Together, these three countries made up 89.2% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports watermelons and melons to the United Arab Emirates

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, the United Arab Emirates imported 210.5 thousand tonnes of watermelons and melons, which represents an 8.4% decrease year-over-year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 210.5 thousand tonnes, while the peak was in 2019 at 236.8 thousand tonnes. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 12.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(3.2%)	12.5%	(8.4%)	(0.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

During the period from 2017 to 2020, Iran was the primary supplier of watermelons and melons to the United Arab Emirates in volume terms, accounting for 75.2% of total imports. The remainder came from a diverse group of other countries.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the United Arab Emirates imported watermelons and melons worth 48 294 thousand US dollars, marking a solid decline of 23.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 32.1%, which translates to an annualized decline of 12.1%. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019 at 4.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(14.7%)	4.3%	(23.6%)	(12.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources of watermelons and melons imports to the United Arab Emirates in value terms were Iran, Australia, and India. Iran accounted for 31.3% of imports, Australia for 17.3%, and India for 13.9%. Together, these three countries represented 62.5% of total import value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io