Watermelons market in Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

The Egyptian watermelon market underwent a significant contraction between 2018 and 2023, with its volume falling from 1 416 thousand tons to 685 thousand tons. The decline included two particularly sharp drops, first in 2020 when the market shrank by nearly 20% to 1 121 thousand tons, and again in 2023 when it decreased by over 30% to 685 thousand tons. A temporary partial recovery lifted the volume to 992 thousand tons in 2022. Throughout this period, the market was supplied almost entirely by domestic production, as imports were absent and exports remained minimal, typically below 10 thousand tons per year.

In 2024, the sector witnessed notable developments aimed at strengthening its foundation. The cultivated area for watermelons expanded to around 90 thousand feddans, driven by the adoption of high-yield certified seeds. Egypt successfully introduced seven new seed varieties of red and yellow seedless watermelons, including export-quality hybrids, reducing reliance on imported seeds. The country exported watermelons to 12 European markets, and reported annual production reached approximately 1.5 million tons, covering domestic demand and generating an export surplus. Government-backed research initiatives further supported local seed production and sector modernization.

Production watermelons in Egypt

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Egypt ranked 11th globally in watermelon production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of watermelons, 2017-2020

World map of production of watermelons, 2017-2020

Egypt's watermelon production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 129 K t of watermelons, marking a significant decrease of 19.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 8.4%, which translates to an annualized decline of 2.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 432 K t, with the largest year-on-year increase of 16.2% also occurring that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, Egypt's watermelon production value declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 617.0 M $ US, representing a substantial decrease of 19.1% from the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 763.0 M $ US, while the largest year-on-year increase of 18.5% occurred in 2018.

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

Exports watermelons from Egypt

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Egypt's watermelon exports increased in 2020, reaching 8 400 t, up 1.7% from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 75.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -37.8%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 8 261 t, and the sharpest decline of 53.8% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Egypt's watermelon exports in volume terms were Kuwait (44.6% of total exports), Saudi Arabia (15.9%), and the United Arab Emirates (8.5%). Together, these three countries accounted for 69.1% of Egypt's total watermelon exports during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of contraction, Egypt's watermelon export value rose in 2020 to 4 590 K $ US, a modest increase of 2.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 timeframe, however, export value decreased by 73.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -35.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 498 K $ US, while the most significant decline of 52.9% took place in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the primary markets for Egypt's watermelon exports in value terms were Kuwait (44.6% of total export value), Saudi Arabia (16.0%), and the United Arab Emirates (8.6%). Collectively, these three destinations represented 69.3% of Egypt's total watermelon export revenue during this period.

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

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

Imports watermelons to Egypt

In the market overview, it was determined that Egypt did not import any watermelons from 2017 to 2020.