Watermelons and melons market Ukraine

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the market for fresh watermelons and melons in Ukraine showed notable fluctuations, peaking at 546.1 thousand tons in 2019. The rise in 2019 occurred alongside price increases due to supply shortages, reflecting strong consumer demand. In 2018, imports had grown because of insufficient domestic early varieties and a cold May that delayed planting, affecting market availability. The market volume then dropped to 467.4 thousand tons in 2020, partly due to record exports to the EU exceeding 36 thousand tons, which reduced domestic supply. However, a recovery to 503 thousand tons followed in 2021, supported by a growing consumption culture for watermelons and melons.

In 2022, the market collapsed to 314.2 thousand tons, a 37% decline from the previous year. This sharp drop was primarily caused by severe drought in several regions that drastically reduced the harvest, compounded by the impact of war on logistics and production. The domestic supply deficit led to a surge in imports to 41.9 thousand tons, but this could not offset the production fall, resulting in steep price increases. By 2023, the market volume stabilized at 304.2 thousand tons as production remained low due to ongoing climatic challenges and war consequences, keeping prices elevated because of constrained supply.

A structural shift began in 2020 with the geographic expansion of watermelon cultivation to new regions such as Poltava, Kyiv, and Zakarpattia oblasts, moving beyond traditional southern areas. This change aimed to enhance production resilience and could support long-term output, but in the short term, adverse weather and geopolitical factors dominated market dynamics.

Production watermelons and melons Ukraine

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Ukraine ranked as the 29th largest producer of watermelons and melons between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of watermelons and melons, 2017-2020

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

Following two years of growth, Ukraine's production of watermelons and melons declined. In 2020, the country produced 494.8 thousand tonnes, marking an 11.0% decrease from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 14%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 556.0 thousand tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase occurring in 2018 at 15.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two years of gains, Ukraine's production value for watermelons and melons fell. In 2020, the output was valued at 77 253 thousand US dollars, representing a significant decline of 18.3% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 26.4%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 8.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 94 549 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase observed in 2018 at 41.1%.

Annual dynamics of production Ukraine in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports watermelons and melons to Ukraine

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was recorded in 2019 at 15 407 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 19.9%. Volumes then climbed to a peak in 2020, reaching 35 964 tonnes, which was a substantial increase of 133.4% from the previous year. This represents a 2.3-fold difference between the minimum in 2019 and the maximum in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Ukraine in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Ukraine's exports of watermelons and melons in volume terms were Poland, accounting for 22.3% of exports, Moldova at 19.4%, and Belarus at 15.8%. Together, these three countries represented 57.4% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports to Ukraine in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values exhibited volatility during these years. The lowest point was in 2017, with a peak in 2020, showing a 2.2-fold difference. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 21.1%. In 2020, Ukraine exported watermelons and melons worth 5 615 thousand US dollars, up by 114.3% from the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the key markets for Ukraine's exports of watermelons and melons in value terms were Poland, with 24.7% of exports, Belarus at 17.4%, and Lithuania at 16.2%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 58.3% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports to Ukraine in value, 2017-2020

Imports watermelons and melons in Ukraine

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes displayed irregular changes, indicating a volatile market. The lowest point was in 2018 at 1 720 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 1.7%. Volumes then surged, with the largest increase recorded in 2019 at 216.8%, reaching a peak in 2020 at 8 548 tonnes, which was a 56.9% rise from the previous year. This resulted in a 5-fold difference between the minimum in 2018 and the maximum in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest sources for Ukraine's imports of watermelons and melons in volume terms were Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkey, which together accounted for 84.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Ukraine's import value for watermelons and melons increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 6 349 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp uptick of 83.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 1 085.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 128.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the primary sources for Ukraine's imports of watermelons and melons in value terms were Uzbekistan, accounting for 42.7% of imports, Kazakhstan at 30.1%, and Turkey at 10.1%. Together, these three countries represented 83.0% of total import flows.

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

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