Watermelons market in Brazil

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the physical volume of Brazil's watermelon market contracted from 2.2 million tons to 1.7 million tons. This decline was primarily driven by successive climatic adversities that reduced planted area and yields. Starting in 2019, drought conditions in key states like Tocantins discouraged investment, a trend that continued in subsequent years. The spread of the La Niña weather pattern in 2023 brought excessive rainfall to the Northeast, further challenging production and contributing to the lower harvest.

Concurrently, the export sector played a significant role in shaping the market. Strong international demand, particularly a 38% surge in watermelon exports in 2019, initially supported production. However, by 2022, logistical constraints and the impact of the war in Russia created headwinds for fruit exports. The domestic market also evolved with the rising popularity of seedless watermelons, which gained substantial ground in states like Rio Grande do Sul and São Paulo, reflecting a shift in consumer preferences and farming focus.

Despite the falling volume, the market's value in US dollars grew from 2021 onward. This was supported by factors including a favorable exchange rate that made Brazilian fruit more competitive abroad and sustained European demand due to supply shortages in Spain. New front-of-pack labeling rules for added sugar implemented in late 2022 also introduced a new dynamic for related food products, influencing the broader sector environment.

Production watermelons in Brazil

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil held the fourth position globally in watermelon production.

Top producers of watermelons, 2018-2021

World map of production of watermelons, 2018-2021

Brazil's watermelon production declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 2,142 thousand tonnes of watermelons, marking a 1.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 4.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.5%. The highest output was recorded in 2019 at 2,292 thousand tonnes, which saw a 2.1% increase. The largest drop occurred in 2020, with a 4.7% decline.

Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Following two years of decline, Brazil's watermelon production value rose. In 2021, the output was valued at 957 million US dollars, showing a moderate 6.5% gain from the year before. From 2018 to 2021, production value decreased by 9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.1%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 898 million US dollars, which experienced an 8.0% decline.

Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports watermelons from Brazil

Exports in kind, K t

Brazil's watermelon export volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 118.0 thousand tonnes, up 9.4% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 74.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 20.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Argentina were the primary buyers of Brazilian watermelons by volume, accounting for 42.7%, 35.9%, and 5.7% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they made up 84.3% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Brazil's watermelon export value increased for the third year in a row. In 2021, exports totaled 52,732 thousand US dollars, an 18.9% rise compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 66.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 18.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018-2021, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands remained the key partners for Brazil's watermelon exports in value terms, jointly representing 83.7% of total flows, while other countries accounted for the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021

Imports watermelons to Brazil

According to marketing research, Brazil did not import any watermelons from 2018 to 2021.