Watermelons market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh watermelon market in Eastern Europe showed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023. Market volume reached 3.5 million tonnes in 2018 before declining to 2.9 million tonnes in 2020. A notable recovery to 3.3 million tonnes occurred in 2021, primarily driven by state agricultural development programs and import restrictions linked to international sanctions, which strongly encouraged domestic production. This upward trend reversed in 2022, with the market shrinking to 2.7 million tonnes, coinciding with a sharp increase in production costs for fertilizers, irrigation, and labor that elevated prices and dampened consumption.

Market conditions improved in 2023 as production rose to 2.4 million tonnes. This rebound was supported by the continued adoption of modern agricultural techniques enhancing yields, alongside an increased market supply that placed downward pressure on prices in some regions. Throughout the period, consumer demand evolved towards watermelons with diverse flesh colors and seedless varieties, expanding the product assortment. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 also introduced disruptions to logistics and trade flows, adding to the market's adaptive challenges.

Production watermelons in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of watermelons, 2017-2020

World map of production of watermelons, 2017-2020

Watermelon production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 2 511 K t of watermelons, marking a 16.5% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, overall production dropped by 16.5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 5.8%. The highest production level was in 2018, with 3 209 K t, and that year also saw the largest increase at 6.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports watermelons from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Watermelon exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 56.1 K t, down 22.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 36.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -13.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, watermelons from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were exported to numerous countries. Even the top destinations—Lithuania, Latvia, and Germany—combined accounted for only 26.0% of total exports by volume.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, watermelon exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value terms rebounded. In 2020, export value reached 27.0 M $ US, up 7.9% year-over-year. However, from 2017 to 2020, overall export value decreased by 18.3%, averaging a 6.5% annual drop. The lowest value was in 2019 at 25.0 M $ US, which also saw the steepest decline of 24.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the value of watermelon exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was spread across many partner countries. Lithuania (12.3% of export value), Germany (8.8%), and Latvia (4.8%) together made up just 25.8% of total exports.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports watermelons to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

Watermelon imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, import volume hit 423.4 K t, a 17.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 span, imports grew by 36.4%, with a CAGR of 10.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, watermelon imports by volume into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were distributed among many countries. Greece (19.3% of import volume), Italy (16.3%), and Spain (13.1%) together represented only 48.7% of total imports.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) imported watermelons worth approximately 191.4 M $ US, a 17.6% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 47%, with a CAGR of 13.7%. The largest drop occurred in 2019 at 5.9%, while the biggest gain was in 2018 at 32.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, the value-based import structure for watermelons into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was balanced rather than concentrated. Spain (20.2% of import value), Italy (12.6%), and Germany (11.8%) jointly accounted for 44.6% of total imports, with many other countries making up the remaining 55.4%.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020