Market research

Watermelons market in Central America

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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"Central America" region includes following countries:

Belize

Costa Rica

El Salvador

Guatemala

Honduras

Mexico

Nicaragua

Panama

Earlier Report Observations

The Central American watermelon market volume showed considerable variation from 2018 to 2023. It started at 1 051 thousand tons in 2018 but fell to 882 thousand tons in 2019, largely because of rising exports driven by strong demand in the United States. Panama's efforts to position its commercial varieties such as Quetzalí and Joya on international markets further supported this export push. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains, lowering exports and temporarily increasing the market volume to 914 thousand tons.

After the pandemic, the market volume recovered to 1 009 thousand tons in 2021 as exports remained subdued. However, exports rebounded in 2022 and surged to 958 thousand tons in 2023, causing the market volume to drop to 746 thousand tons. Throughout this period, the free trade agreement with the European Union under the Association Agreement provided tariff-free access, encouraging exports. Moreover, Panama's Ministry of Agricultural Development promoted modernization and financial support to boost production competitiveness.

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 Central America
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Central America in kind, 2018-2023, K t
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. 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 Belize in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Belize 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, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belize in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, M $ 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 Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belize 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 Belize in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Belize 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, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belize in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, M $ 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 Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belize 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 Belize in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Belize 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, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belize in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, M $ 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 Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belize 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 Belize in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Belize 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, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belize in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, M $ 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 Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belize 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, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ 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 in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of watermelons, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of watermelons, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Central America's watermelon production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 1 704 thousand tonnes of watermelons, marking a 0.8% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 3.5%, with an average annual decline of 1.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 818 thousand tonnes, which saw a 3.0% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with production dropping by 5.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.0%	(5.5%)	(0.8%)	(1.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, watermelon production in Central America declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 855.8 million US dollars, representing a slight decrease of 1.9% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 4.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.5%. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 872.1 million US dollars, following the largest increase of 4.7% in 2018.

Annual dynamics of production in Central America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.7%	1.8%	(1.9%)	1.5%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports watermelons from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, watermelon exports from Central America declined. In 2020, the region exported 798.5 thousand tonnes of watermelons, a 5.6% contraction compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 8%, with an average annual increase of 2.6%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 845.8 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 9.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central America in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.6%	9.3%	(5.6%)	2.6%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States accounted for 84.9% of Central America's total watermelon exports by volume, while the remaining exports were distributed among various smaller trading partners.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year rise, Central America's watermelon exports declined. In 2020, exports were valued at 401.1 million US dollars, which is 6.6% lower than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 17.1%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 5.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 429.3 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 17.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6.5%	17.8%	(6.6%)	5.4%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States effectively monopolized Central America's watermelon exports in value terms, capturing 90.6% of the total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports watermelons to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

Central America imported 8.9 thousand tonnes of watermelons in 2020, an 11.0% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 18%, with an average annual increase of 5.7%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 7.0 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 10.0 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 42.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central America in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(7.3%)	42.9%	(11.0%)	5.7%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States remained the key supplier of watermelons to Central America, accounting for 1.0% of total imports by volume.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Central America's watermelon imports amounted to 4.6 million US dollars, an 11.8% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 12.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 3.6 million US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 12.0%. The highest value was in 2019 at 5.2 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 44.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(12.0%)	44.9%	(11.8%)	4.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Over the 2017-2020 period, the United States dominated the list of watermelon suppliers to Central America in value terms, holding a 7.2% share of total imports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io