Watermelons market in GCC

Earlier Report Observations

The GCC fresh watermelon market reached 1 118.7 thousand tons in 2019, then contracted to 897.8 thousand tons in 2020. During this period, Saudi Arabia reported robust domestic watermelon production exceeding 610 thousand tons as part of its Vision 2030 food security strategy, which supported local supply amid broader regional challenges.

Market volume recovered to 1 062.9 thousand tons in 2021 before gradually easing to 992.2 thousand tons by 2023. This period reflected a stabilization in consumption and trade flows without major supply disruptions.

In 2024, the GCC adopted a unified phytosanitary certificate to facilitate agricultural trade between member states, contributing to a 7.2% increase in intra-regional trade of agricultural products. Imports of watermelons rose to 403.3 thousand tons while exports fell sharply to 14.0 thousand tons, aligning with broader food security and economic diversification policies aimed at strengthening domestic markets.

Production watermelons in GCC

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of watermelons, 2017-2020

World map of production of watermelons, 2017-2020

After two consecutive years of growth, watermelon production in the GCC region declined. In 2020, GCC countries produced 563.6 thousand tons of watermelons, representing a significant 24.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 15%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 748.1 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 7.8%.

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

Exports watermelons from GCC

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 1.8 thousand tons and peaked in 2020 at 39.8 thousand tons, representing a 22-fold difference between these years. In 2020, GCC watermelon exports surged by 1 099.9% year-over-year. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 17.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Afghanistan and Iran maintained their positions as the primary buyers of watermelons from GCC countries, together accounting for 2.3% of total physical exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Watermelon export values from GCC countries increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 20.6 million US dollars, showing a dramatic 160.7% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export values grew by 1 818.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 167.7%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Afghanistan (3.9% of export value), the United States (1.0% of export value), and Djibouti (0.8% of export value) remained the key destinations for watermelon exports in value terms, collectively representing 5.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports watermelons to GCC

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, GCC countries imported 374.0 thousand tons of watermelons, showing minimal change compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, physical imports increased by 36.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.0%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019, rising by 27.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three main markets—Iran, India, and Jordan—collectively accounted for 83.7% of total physical watermelon imports to GCC countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, GCC watermelon import values amounted to 105.4 million US dollars, declining by 6.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import values increased by 20%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 6.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 85.9 million US dollars, while the highest value occurred in 2019 at 112.2 million US dollars. The most substantial annual increase took place in 2019, rising by 30.5%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Iran (35.1% of import value), India (13.6% of import value), and Egypt (10.7% of import value) continued to lead as the main suppliers of watermelons to GCC countries, together accounting for 59.4% of total import value.

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

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