Watermelons market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the Greek watermelon market volume contracted sharply from 450 thousand tons to 159 thousand tons. This decline was driven by high production costs and liquidity constraints that led growers to maintain or reduce cultivated areas, lowering overall output.

A partial recovery followed, with market volume reaching 271 thousand tons in 2021 before easing to 230 thousand tons in 2023. By 2023, the market was influenced by the gradual normalization of food prices across Europe and unfavorable producer prices for agricultural cooperatives, which limited supply incentives.

Entering 2024, production costs remained elevated, while watermelon imports rose, including shipments from Czechia. At the same time, the Carrefour supermarket chain announced plans to expand its Greek store network with a focus on local products, potentially reshaping distribution. Significant food price increases also affected consumer demand patterns.

Production watermelons in Greece

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Greece ranked as the 26th largest producer of watermelons globally.

Top producers of watermelons, 2017-2020

World map of production of watermelons, 2017-2020

In 2020, Greece produced 430.6 thousand tons of watermelons, marking a 24.8% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 14.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 4.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 345.0 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2018 at 630.1 thousand tons. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 45.3%, and the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 67.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Production volumes varied by a factor of 1.9, from the low in 2017 to the high in 2018. In 2020, the output of watermelons in Greece was valued at 134.0 million US dollars, representing a 15.5% increase compared to 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 218.6 million US dollars. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 47.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a growth of 94.2%.

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

Exports watermelons from Greece

Exports in kind, K t

Greece's watermelon exports have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 205.5 thousand tons of watermelons, reflecting a 9.7% uptick from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 20.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 6.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece's watermelon exports in volume terms were diversified across multiple partners. Germany (17.9% of exports), Italy (15.1%), and Poland (10.2%) together accounted for 43.3% of total flows, with the remaining 56.7% distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Greece's watermelon export value reached 63 951 thousand US dollars, showing a slight advance of 1.6% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 25.8%, which corresponds to an annualized growth rate of 8.0%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 1.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 25.3%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Greece's watermelon exports in value terms were relatively evenly distributed. Germany (19.5% of exports), Italy (16.7%), and Poland (10.3%) jointly accounted for 46.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports watermelons to Greece

Imports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a 3.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Greece imported 1.2 thousand tons of watermelons, representing a strong loss of 17.5% compared to the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 3.6 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 61.2%, and the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 110.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy (31.1% of imports), Germany (16.6%), and Bulgaria (10.1%) remained the key sources for Greece's watermelon imports in volume terms, together accounting for 57.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Import values dropped to a minimum in 2017 and climbed to their maximum in 2018, reflecting a 2.3-fold shift. In 2020, Greece's watermelon import value was recorded at 661 thousand US dollars, showing a strong reduction of 10.4% relative to the prior year. The highest value was in 2018 at 1 353 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 45.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a growth of 127.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany (34.5% of imports), the Netherlands (19.9%), and Italy (17.4%) formed the key group of partners for Greece's watermelon imports in value terms, jointly representing 71.8% of total flows.

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

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