Watermelons market in Middle Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Watermelon production in Middle Africa began the period at 88.9 thousand tons in 2018 but dipped to 79.2 thousand tons the following year. This occurred against a backdrop of increasing watermelon demand across Africa, where new producing countries like Senegal and Mauritania were entering the market and local farmers were adopting better agricultural practices to boost yields and quality.

A sustained recovery took hold from 2020, with output jumping to 94.2 thousand tons and then rising steadily to 101.7 thousand tons in 2021 and 107.0 thousand tons in 2022. By 2023, production leveled off at 107.4 thousand tons. The upswing was underpinned by attractive profitability for African watermelon growers, as strong continental demand translated into favorable prices. Meanwhile, a realignment of European imports—with Spain shifting purchases from Morocco to Senegal and Mauritania—altered the competitive landscape for African producers.

In 2024, African watermelon markets remained dynamic, with local producers continuing to benefit from significant price gains and growing consumption, while new EU phytosanitary rules affected import conditions.

Production watermelons in Middle Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of watermelons, 2017-2020

World map of production of watermelons, 2017-2020

In 2020, Middle Africa produced 94 170 tonnes of watermelons, marking an 18.9% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 10.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 79 210 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 10.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Middle Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports watermelons from Middle Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 2.3 tonnes and peaked in 2020, showing a dramatic 90-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Middle Africa's watermelon exports surged to 201.8 tonnes, reflecting an extraordinary year-over-year increase of 2,325.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 82.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary destinations for watermelon exports from Middle Africa were Namibia, accounting for 28.1% of exports in kind, Malta with 13.4%, and the Bahamas at 3.8%. Together, these three countries represented 45.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility throughout this period. Export values hit their minimum in 2019 at 4 187 US dollars and climbed to a peak in 2020, representing a 16-fold increase. In 2020, watermelon exports from Middle Africa totaled 67 916 US dollars, a substantial 1,522.1% rise compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, falling by 29.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, key buyers of watermelons from Middle Africa in value terms included Namibia with 13.1% of exports, the Bahamas at 10.5%, and France with 1.2%. However, even combined, these countries accounted for just 24.8% of total export value, indicating a highly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports watermelons to Middle Africa

Imports in kind, t

Watermelon imports into Middle Africa declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume fell to 2.2 tonnes, a 48.6% decrease from the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, imports dropped by 59.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 26.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 7.2 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 34.5%.

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

Throughout the 2017–2020 period, Portugal was the leading supplier of watermelons to Middle Africa, capturing 72.7% of total imports in kind, while other partners held relatively minor shares.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The market experienced notable volatility during these years. Import values reached their trough in 2017 and peaked in 2018, showing a 3.5-fold change. In 2020, watermelon imports into Middle Africa amounted to 4 015 US dollars, a sharp 36.9% year-over-year decline. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 12 853 US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 250.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 50.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal dominated as the primary supplier of watermelons to Middle Africa in value terms, accounting for 84.8% of total imports, with other countries sharing the remainder.

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

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