Watermelons market in Moldova

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, watermelon production reached 44 408 tons, supported by improved irrigation access from state-funded investment projects in the Holercani centralized system and favorable climatic conditions with sufficient light and high temperatures. The market volume stood at 44 132 tons that year. Over the next two years, production declined, leading to a gradual reduction in market size to 42 571 tons by 2020.

Production partially recovered to 38 104 tons in 2021, keeping the market volume stable at around 42 500 tons. However, 2022 saw a sharp contraction, with production dropping to 26 265 tons and the market shrinking by one-third to 28 136 tons. The following year brought a modest rebound to 29 290 tons, though still well below pre-2022 levels.

Production watermelons in Moldova

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of watermelons, 2017-2020

World map of production of watermelons, 2017-2020

Moldova's watermelon production has declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, the country produced 27,096 tons of watermelons, marking a 35.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 50.1%, with an average annual decline of 20.7%.

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

Exports watermelons from Moldova

Exports in kind, t

Watermelon exports from Moldova have decreased for the second year in a row. In 2019, exports totaled 131 tons, representing a sharp 82.9% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2019, exports declined by 83%, which translates to an annualized rate of 44.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, Latvia, and Estonia were the key partners for Moldova's watermelon exports in volume terms. Ukraine accounted for 27.8% of exports, Latvia for 24.6%, and Estonia for 18.5%. Together, these three countries made up 71.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their peak in 2018 and hit a low in 2019, with a 4.8-fold difference between these years. In 2019, Moldova exported watermelons worth $28,000, reflecting a 79.3% decrease from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at $137,000, with the largest increase of 71.5% also occurring that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Latvia, Estonia, and Ukraine were the main buyers of Moldovan watermelons in value terms. Latvia accounted for 40.1% of exports, Estonia for 17.6%, and Ukraine for 15.3%. Collectively, these three markets represented 73.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports watermelons to Moldova

Imports in kind, t

The market showed volatile behavior during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 32-fold swing between these two years. In 2020, Moldova imported 15,475 tons of watermelons, indicating a sharp increase of 936.9% from 2019. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 489 tons, with the largest decline of 36.8% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine was the dominant source for Moldova's watermelon imports in volume terms, accounting for 81.3% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among several smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Imports hit their low in 2018 and reached a high in 2020, with a 20-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Moldova's watermelon imports amounted to $4,736,000, equivalent to a steep uptick of 988.7% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at $240,000, with the largest decline of 18.4% also occurring that year.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Ukraine held the dominant position in Moldova's watermelon imports in value terms, accounting for 72.5% of total flows. The remaining share was split among various smaller destinations.

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

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