Watermelons market in Georgia

Earlier Report Observations

The watermelon market in Georgia experienced significant volatility between 2018 and 2023. Market volume peaked in 2019 at over 86 thousand tons, driven by a combination of increased domestic production and a surge in imports. This was followed by a gradual decline in the following years, with a particularly sharp contraction in 2023 when the market fell to just 46 thousand tons.

Domestic production followed a similar pattern, rising to 71 thousand tons in 2020 before entering a sustained downturn. Imports, which had spiked to nearly 19 thousand tons in 2019, remained elevated compared to 2018 levels but became more variable, influencing year-to-year market size fluctuations. Exports played a minor role overall, though notable outflows in 2021 temporarily reduced domestic availability.

The overall trajectory shows a market that expanded rapidly around 2019 but could not sustain that level, culminating in a substantially smaller volume by the end of the period. The pronounced drop in 2023 represents the lowest point in the observed timeframe.

Production watermelons in Georgia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of watermelons, 2017-2020

World map of production of watermelons, 2017-2020

Georgia's watermelon production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 71,300 tons of watermelons, marking a 5.5% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 4.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 57,400 tons. That year also saw the largest decline, with a drop of 15.6%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase, with production jumping by 17.8%.

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

Exports watermelons from Georgia

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed significant volatility during the observed period. Export volumes reached their highest point in 2018 at 1,126 tons and fell to their lowest in 2019 at just 3 tons, representing a dramatic 438-fold difference between these years. In 2020, watermelon shipments from Georgia to foreign markets totaled 355 tons, which is a staggering 13,724.0% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 99.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Azerbaijan and Armenia were the dominant export partners for Georgia's watermelons in volume terms. Azerbaijan accounted for 65.2% of total exports, while Armenia made up 22.5%, together representing 87.7% of all shipments. The remaining volume was distributed among other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. Export values peaked in 2018 at 134,000 US dollars and hit their lowest point in 2019 at 3,000 US dollars, resulting in a 43-fold fluctuation between these years. In 2020, foreign watermelon supplies from Georgia amounted to 110,000 US dollars, reflecting a sharp year-over-year increase of 3,412.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a decrease of 97.7%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia remained the primary buyers of Georgian watermelons in value terms. Azerbaijan contributed 48.4% of total export value, Armenia accounted for 27.8%, and Russia made up 18.5%. Together, these three countries represented 94.7% of Georgia's total watermelon exports by value.

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

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

Imports watermelons to Georgia

Imports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over these years. Import volumes reached their maximum in 2019 at 18,859 tons and their minimum in 2017, with a 4.9-fold difference between these peaks and troughs. In 2020, watermelon imports into Georgia totaled 10,342 tons, indicating a sharp year-over-year decline of 45.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 266.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the dominant source for Georgia's watermelon imports in volume terms, accounting for 78.8% of total flows. The remaining imports were spread across a fragmented group of other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market during these years. Import values hit their high in 2019 at 1,309,000 US dollars and their low in 2017, with a 2.8-fold variation between these points. In 2020, cross-border watermelon shipments into Georgia amounted to 873,000 US dollars, representing a 33.3% reduction compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a jump of 153.0%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Turkey remained the main source for Georgia's watermelon imports in value terms, capturing 77.0% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller markets.

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

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