Watermelons market in Caribbean, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The Caribbean watermelon market experienced strong and sustained growth from 2018 to 2023. Production volumes rose from 474 thousand tons to 891 thousand tons, driving a corresponding expansion in total market size from 478 thousand tons to 894 thousand tons over the same period. This growth was particularly pronounced in the final two years, where output surged by nearly 40% in 2022 and a further 25% in 2023.

The market's expansion was almost entirely fueled by the increase in domestic production, as import and export volumes remained relatively minor throughout the period. Trade flows had a negligible impact on the overall market volume, which closely tracked the domestic production trend. The period concluded with the market nearly doubling in size compared to its 2018 level.

Production watermelons in Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of watermelons, 2017-2020

World map of production of watermelons, 2017-2020

Caribbean watermelon production declined after two years of growth. In 2020, production was broadly stable year-over-year at 513.7 K t, compared to 516.5 K t in 2019, which marked the peak for the period. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 8.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.8%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019, at 8.9%.

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

Exports watermelons from Caribbean

Exports in kind, t

Watermelon exports from the Caribbean showed volatility during the observed period. The peak was in 2017, while the trough occurred in 2018 at 181 t, with a 3.4-fold gap between these years. In 2020, exports rose to 608 t, up 56.3% from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 70.5%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 115.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Caribbean watermelon exports in kind were highly diversified. The United States accounted for 12.2% of exports, France for 7.2%, and the Netherlands for 1.7%, together making up only 21.1% of total flows. The remaining 78.9% came from a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Watermelon exports from the Caribbean declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 416 K $ US, down 25.4% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 51.6%, equating to an annualized decline of 21.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Caribbean watermelon exports in value terms were spread across many countries. The United States accounted for 10.8% of exports, France for 7.1%, and the Netherlands for 2.0%, jointly representing only 19.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports watermelons to Caribbean

Imports in kind, t

Caribbean watermelon imports increased after a two-year contraction. In 2020, import volume reached 4 480 t, up 12.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 2.1%, equating to an annualized decline of 0.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 3 973 t, with the largest decline that year at 10.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Colombia, and Venezuela led as suppliers of watermelons to the Caribbean. The United States accounted for 48.9% of imports in kind, Colombia for 14.3%, and Venezuela for 11.2%, together taking 74.4% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Caribbean watermelon imports in value terms declined after two years of improvement. In 2020, import volume amounted to 4 507 K $ US, down 12.3% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 1.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 5 141 K $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 17.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States, Colombia, and Guyana formed the core of Caribbean watermelon imports in value terms. The United States accounted for 65.0% of imports, Colombia for 9.9%, and Guyana for 5.3%, together taking 80.3% of total flows.

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

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