Watermelons market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

The watermelon market in CIS contracted from 6 383 thousand tons in 2018 to 5 499 thousand tons in 2020. This decline coincided with geopolitical sanctions that affected trade flows and currency exchange rates, increasing costs and limiting market access. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further strained logistics and supply chains, disrupting imports and altering consumption patterns, which deepened the market contraction.

A recovery phase began in 2021, with the market volume growing to 6 192 thousand tons by 2023. Producers successfully adapted to sustained sanction pressure by implementing modern agrotechnical practices, which raised domestic output and quality. Enhanced state support for local cultivation also helped bolster production. While intensified sanctions and rising costs for inputs like fertilizers presented challenges in 2022, leading to market stabilization, growth resumed in 2023 driven by this operational adaptation and the expansion of product varieties, including seedless watermelons.

In 2024, market dynamics continued to be shaped by a rebound in demand for domestically produced watermelons, coupled with ongoing increases in production and export volumes. The adoption of advanced agricultural techniques further supported output growth and product diversification, while seasonal factors influenced price movements throughout the year.

Production watermelons in CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of watermelons, 2017-2020

World map of production of watermelons, 2017-2020

Watermelon production in the CIS has declined for the third year in a row. In 2019, production stood at 5 502 thousand tonnes, but by 2020 it had decreased by 5.1% to 5 502 thousand tonnes. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 16.6%, with an average annual decline rate of 5.9%.

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

Exports watermelons from CIS

Exports in kind, t

Watermelon exports from the CIS have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2019, exports were 62 550 tonnes, and by 2020 they had surged by 34.0% to 62 550 tonnes. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 64.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 18.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 37 492 tonnes, with the largest decline that year being 1.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, watermelons from the CIS were exported to a wide range of markets. Even the top destinations—Ukraine, Lithuania, and Latvia—collectively accounted for only 20.1% of total exports by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Watermelon exports from the CIS have risen for the third year in a row. In 2019, export value was 26 698 thousand US dollars, and by 2020 it had jumped by 91.6% to 26 698 thousand US dollars. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 191.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 42.8%.

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

During 2017–2020, watermelons from the CIS were sold to many different markets. The largest destinations—Lithuania, Ukraine, and Latvia—together made up just 17.2% of total export value.

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

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

Imports watermelons to CIS

Imports in kind, t

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 26 311 tonnes, with the largest decline that year being 5.6%. By 2020, imports had peaked at 58 889 tonnes, marking a 121.1% increase from 2019. The gap between the highest and lowest import volumes was 2.2-fold.

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

The import market for watermelons in the CIS was highly diversified from 2017 to 2020. Ukraine, Iran, and Turkey—the top three sources—accounted for only 23.3% of total import volume, with Ukraine at 9.5%, Iran at 8.4%, and Turkey at 5.4%. The remaining 76.7% was spread across numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance varied noticeably over the period. Imports hit their lowest point in 2017, with the largest decline occurring in 2019 at 0.9%. By 2020, imports had reached a peak of 42 345 thousand US dollars, up 78.5% from the previous year. The difference between the peak and trough was two-fold.

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

The import structure in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diverse. Iran, Turkey, and Brazil were the leading sources, but together they represented only 38.0% of total import value, with Iran at 20.2%, Turkey at 9.4%, and Brazil at 8.4%. No single country dominated the market.

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

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