Watermelons market in ECOWAS

Earlier Report Observations

The watermelon market in ECOWAS expanded from 1.7 million tons in 2018 to 2.5 million tons in 2020. This initial growth period aligned with a notable 19% increase in global watermelon imports, reaching $3.8 billion, which indirectly supported regional trade flows and market volume in West Africa.

Following the 2020 peak, the market volume stabilized around 2.3 million tons from 2021 to 2023. The market value, however, declined to $1.2 billion in 2023. This stabilization coincided with a 53.5% surge in Moroccan watermelon exports to Europe in early 2023 and a saturated European market with abundant supply from several producing countries, factors which influenced regional trade dynamics and contributed to price adjustments.

Recent developments include a significant 50.31% drop in Moroccan watermelon exports to the European Union in early 2024, challenging economic and climatic conditions in Europe, and the growth of local production within Africa, such as from farms in Benin, indicating evolving supply patterns in the region.

Production watermelons in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of watermelons, 2017-2020

World map of production of watermelons, 2017-2020

Watermelon production in ECOWAS has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, ECOWAS produced 2 516 K t of watermelons, marking a sharp increase of 32.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 244.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 51.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

ECOWAS's watermelon production has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output of watermelons was valued at 1 615 M $ US in ECOWAS, representing a sharp rise of 63.7% over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 291.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 57.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in ECOWAS in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports watermelons from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import levels varied significantly, with a 2.4-fold difference between the low of 10 882 t in 2018 and the high of 25 906 t in 2019. In 2020, watermelon deliveries from ECOWAS were recorded at 16 036 t, down by 38.1% compared to 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 138.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical pattern of exports in kind was characterized by a strong dominance of Spain, which accounted for 83.9% of total flows, while other partners held relatively minor shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized market behavior during these years. The period saw a 2.3-fold difference between the trough of 5 754 K $ US in 2018 and the peak of 13 451 K $ US in 2019. In 2020, exported watermelon volumes from ECOWAS came to 10 290 K $ US, reflecting a drop of 23.5% from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 33.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 133.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain concentrated most of the exports in value terms, taking 85.2% of total flows, with a fragmented tail of other markets.

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

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

Imports watermelons to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year advance, imported watermelon volumes in ECOWAS declined. In 2020, imports totaled 444 t, amounting to a fall of 22.2% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 60.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 17.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 571 t, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 56.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal (7.4% of imports in kind), Spain (3.3% of imports in kind), and Morocco (1.5% of imports in kind) formed the largest group of suppliers of watermelons to ECOWAS. However, their combined contribution was limited to 12.3% of total imports in kind, reflecting a diversified country structure.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports changed by a 2.5-fold difference from the trough in 2017 to the peak in 2019. In 2020, watermelon imports in ECOWAS amounted to 311 K $ US, down by 44.0% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 556 K $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 80.6%.

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

Over 2017 to 2020, Portugal (44.0% of imports in value terms), Spain (21.3% of imports in value terms), and the Netherlands (7.3% of imports in value terms) remained the leading destinations in the country structure of imports in value terms, with a combined share of 72.5% of total flows.

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

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