Watermelons market in Fiji

Earlier Report Observations

Fiji's watermelon production began at 4 780 t in 2018, a year marked by major cultural events like the Hibiscus Festival and the Fiji Day celebrations in Labasa, which stimulated local consumption of fresh fruit. Output then rose steadily over the next two years, reaching 6 448 t in 2020.

After a contraction to 5 640 t in 2021, production recovered to 6 221 t in 2022. The most pronounced growth occurred in 2023, when output surged by 31% to 8 161 t. This increase was supported by a strong rebound in Fiji's tourism sector, which attracted over 929 000 visitors and heightened demand for local produce, including watermelons, across hospitality and retail channels.

In 2024, the market environment continued to be influenced by factors such as the return of the Hibiscus Festival, sustained tourism growth with visitor arrivals exceeding 982 000, and the launch of the Fiji National Sustainable Tourism Framework, all shaping the context for agricultural production and consumption.

Production watermelons in Fiji

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of watermelons, 2017-2020

World map of production of watermelons, 2017-2020

Fiji's watermelon production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 6,448 tonnes of watermelons, marking a significant 17.5% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 60.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 17.1%.

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

Exports watermelons from Fiji

Exports in kind, kg

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 381 kg, while the highest was in 2019 at 2,682 kg, reflecting a 7-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Fiji exported 1,206 kg of watermelons, which is 55.0% lower than the year before. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 59.7%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 603.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Fiji in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for Fiji's watermelon exports in kind were Nauru, accounting for 28.7% of exports, followed by Wallis and Futuna Islands at 2.0%, and Australia at 1.0%. Together, these three markets made up 31.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend over the period. The lowest export value was in 2018 at $791 US, while the peak was in 2019 at $5,906 US, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 7.5 times. In 2020, Fiji exported $817 US worth of watermelons, showing a sharp decline of 86.2% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 646.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Fiji's watermelon exports in value terms reached a diverse set of markets. Nauru led with 13.7% of exports, followed by Wallis and Futuna Islands and Tuvalu, each at 1.3%. These three destinations together accounted for 16.3% of total export value, while many smaller markets made up the remaining 83.7%.

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

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

Imports watermelons to Fiji

Imports in kind, kg

In 2018, Fiji imported 4,684 kg of foreign watermelons, representing a substantial increase of 191.7% from the year before.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Fiji in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Fiji's watermelon imports in kind were highly concentrated, with Australia accounting for 93.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

In 2018, Fiji imported approximately $11,179 US worth of watermelons, indicating a significant rise of 293.1% compared to the previous year.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, Australia was the dominant source for Fiji's watermelon imports in value terms, making up 92.3% of total flows.

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

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