Watermelons market in Chile

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the Chilean watermelon market saw a gradual contraction, with total volume declining from 59.3 thousand t to 57.9 thousand t. The period began with the launch of the Chile Origen Consciente sustainability program, which established certified standards for fresh fruits and bolstered consumer demand for healthy produce. New watermelon varieties and smaller fruit segments also entered the market, adapting to urban consumption trends. The COVID‑19 pandemic in 2020 reduced import flows, but local producers countered drought and supply‑chain challenges by adopting advanced irrigation and fertilization techniques, keeping domestic output steady.

A sharp rebound occurred in 2022, lifting the market to 62.2 thousand t. This surge was driven by a jump in domestic production, encouraged by the relaxation of China’s zero‑COVID policy that heightened international demand for fresh fruits, including watermelons. Public‑private initiatives to open new export markets further stimulated grower activity. In 2023, despite a drought‑related drop in local harvests, market volume rose again to 64.1 thousand t as increased imports—notably from the United States—compensated for the shortfall, highlighting the market’s growing reliance on foreign supply during persistent climatic stress.

Production watermelons in Chile

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of watermelons, 2018-2021

World map of production of watermelons, 2018-2021

Chile produced 44 952 tons of watermelons in 2021, representing a moderate year-over-year decline of 4.6%. Looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 4.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.7%. The only year that saw growth was 2020, with a 1.4% increase.

Annual dynamics of production in Chile in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports watermelons from Chile

Exports in kind, t

The export data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. In 2019, Chile exported 0.5 tons of watermelons, which was the highest level recorded during this period. However, exports dropped sharply to 0.2 tons in 2020, marking a 61.2% decrease compared to the previous year. The difference between the peak in 2019 and the low in 2018 was 2.8 times, with the largest increase occurring in 2019 at 183.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Chile's watermelon exports were highly concentrated, with the United Kingdom accounting for 97.1% of the total volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. In 2019, Chile's watermelon exports reached their highest value at 1 thousand US dollars. This dropped to 0.3 thousand US dollars in 2020, a sharp year-over-year decline of 67.5%. The fluctuation between the high in 2019 and the low in 2018 was 3.2 times, with the largest increase recorded in 2019 at 221.2%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the United Kingdom dominated Chile's watermelon exports in value terms, capturing 97.7% of the total.

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

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

Imports watermelons to Chile

Imports in kind, t

Chile imported approximately 12 909 tons of watermelons in 2021, showing a strong increase of 17.7% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 6.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 10 970 tons, which represented a 13.8% decline, the largest drop during this timeframe.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Chile in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Peru was the overwhelmingly dominant supplier of watermelons to Chile, accounting for 93.3% of total imports in volume.

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

World map of product's imports to Chile in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Chile's watermelon imports increased for the second consecutive year in 2021, reaching approximately 2 380 thousand US dollars, up 16.6% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports surged by 70.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 373 thousand US dollars, which saw a 1.8% decline. In contrast, 2020 experienced the largest increase at 48.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Chile in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Peru was the dominant supplier of watermelons to Chile in value terms, holding a 72.2% share of total imports, while other countries accounted for the remainder.

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

World map of product's imports to Chile in value, 2018-2021