Watermelons market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, watermelon production in Croatia increased to 27,740 t as cultivated area expanded to 968 ha, supported by the adoption of hybrid varieties with thinner rinds and sweeter taste. This contributed to a market volume of 35,078 t. However, in 2019, production fell to 20,300 t due to a reduction in area to 665 ha and lower yield per hectare, leading to a market contraction to 32,170 t despite higher imports.

The market volume declined sharply to 22,975 t in 2020, then rebounded strongly to 35,921 t in 2021, marking the highest level in the period. This volatility reflected broader adjustments in supply and demand during these years.

After a dip to 29,238 t in 2022, the market recovered to 33,241 t in 2023. By 2024, domestic buyers like ENNA Fruit began exporting watermelons to Slovenia, Czechia, Slovakia, and Poland to manage domestic surpluses. New product segments emerged, including sweeter yellow watermelons, indicating shifting consumer preferences.

Production watermelons in Croatia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of watermelons, 2017-2020

World map of production of watermelons, 2017-2020

Croatia's watermelon production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, production stood at 20,300 tonnes, but by 2020 it had dropped to 15,590 tonnes, marking a 23.2% decrease. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 33.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 12.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 27,740 tonnes, with an 18.6% increase that year. However, the largest decline occurred in 2019, when production dropped by 26.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Croatia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports watermelons from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Croatia's watermelon exports have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 4,583 tonnes, showing a significant year-on-year increase of 34.3%. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 97.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 25.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Slovenia and Germany were the primary destinations for Croatia's watermelon exports, accounting for most of the volume, while other markets played smaller individual roles.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Croatia's watermelon exports in value terms have also risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled $1,994,000, representing a 42.7% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 210.8%, with an average annual rate of 45.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and Slovenia remained the key markets for Croatia's watermelon exports in value terms, together making up 84.8% of total exports, with other partners contributing the remainder.

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

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

Imports watermelons to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Croatia's watermelon imports amounted to 11,968 tonnes, down 21.7% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 15%, averaging an annual decline of 5.3%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 10,141 tonnes, with a 28.0% drop that year. In contrast, imports peaked in 2019 at 15,282 tonnes, reflecting a 50.7% increase from the previous year.

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

During 2017–2020, Italy, Greece, and Albania were consistently the top sources for Croatia's watermelon imports by volume. Italy accounted for 31.1% of imports, Greece for 26.2%, and Albania for 9.7%, together representing 67.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Croatia's watermelon imports in value terms totaled $4,311,000, a sharp decline of 33.9% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value fell by 7.1%, with an average annual decrease of 2.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at $6,520,000, when imports increased by 50.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Greece, and Spain continued to be the main suppliers of watermelons to Croatia in value terms. Italy contributed 28.5% of import value, Greece 27.6%, and Spain 8.7%, collectively accounting for 64.7% of total imports.

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

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