Watermelons market in Cuba

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh watermelons in Cuba contracted significantly between 2018 and 2023, with total volume falling from 76 826 t to 33 950 t. This long-term decline accelerated notably in 2022, when the market shrank by 17 000 t. That sharp drop coincided with a severe, widespread economic crisis marked by high inflation and acute food shortages, which drastically reduced agricultural output and consumer purchasing power for fresh produce.

Regulatory changes implemented in 2022 further impacted the agricultural sector. Updated contracting and commercialization rules for farm products and the introduction of a new currency exchange market introduced additional challenges for the supply chain. The continued adjustments to the currency market in 2023 sustained pressure on the sector, contributing to the further decrease in watermelon production and market volume that year.

Production watermelons in Cuba

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of watermelons, 2017-2020

World map of production of watermelons, 2017-2020

Cuba's watermelon production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 56 683 tonnes of watermelons, which represents a 9.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 34.9%, with an average annual decline rate of 13.3%.

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

Exports watermelons from Cuba

Exports in kind, t

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

From 2017 to 2020, Dominica and Mexico were the dominant buyers of Cuban watermelons, together accounting for 100.0% of total exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Dominica and Mexico clearly led as the top buyers of Cuban watermelons, jointly representing 100.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports watermelons to Cuba

Imports in kind, t

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 6.4 tonnes, then surged to a peak of 126.1 tonnes in 2019, representing a 20-fold increase. In 2020, Cuba imported 45.1 tonnes of watermelons, marking a sharp decline of 64.3% from the previous year. The largest decrease occurred in 2018, falling by 71.3%, while the most substantial increase was in 2019, rising by 1 878.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Costa Rica and Mexico formed a duopoly in Cuba's watermelon imports, together making up 100.0% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Import values hit their lowest level in 2018 at 9.2 thousand US dollars, then climbed to a peak of 226.1 thousand US dollars in 2019, a 25-fold difference. In 2020, Cuba's watermelon imports were valued at 71.7 thousand US dollars, which is 68.3% lower than the year before. The most significant drop was in 2018, down 73.2%, while the largest rise was in 2019, up 2 367.1%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Costa Rica and Mexico were the main suppliers of watermelons to Cuba, together accounting for 100.0% of total import value.

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

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