Watermelons market in Montenegro

Earlier Report Observations

The watermelon market in Montenegro saw its volume decline from 18,623 t in 2018 to 14,423 t in 2021, before partially recovering to 17,220 t in 2023. This contraction was primarily driven by a sharp increase in exports, which reached 4,949 t in 2021, significantly reducing domestic availability despite stable production levels in that year.

Production fluctuated over the period, falling to 15,810 t in 2020 then recovering to above 17,500 t in 2022 and 2023. Concurrently, import volumes nearly halved from 2,207 t to 1,276 t, while exports remained elevated compared to pre-2021 levels, shaping the net market size.

The post-2021 recovery was supported by rebounding production and a reduction in export volumes from their peak, allowing the domestic market to stabilize around 17,000 t by 2023.

Production watermelons in Montenegro

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of watermelons, 2017-2020

World map of production of watermelons, 2017-2020

Watermelon production in Montenegro has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 15 810 tons of watermelons, marking a modest decrease of 8.7% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 9.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 18 107 tons, with the largest year-on-year increase of 3.2% also occurring that year.

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

Exports watermelons from Montenegro

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed considerable volatility over the observed period. The lowest point was in 2019, with exports totaling 1 134 tons, representing a sharp decline of 32.9% from the previous year. In 2020, exports rebounded strongly, reaching 1 978 tons—a 74.4% increase compared to 2019 and the peak for the period. The difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2019 was 1.7-fold.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina was the dominant destination for Montenegro's watermelon exports, accounting for 73.8% of total export volume. The remaining exports were distributed among a variety of smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In value terms, watermelon exports from Montenegro reached 379.4 thousand US dollars in 2020, a significant increase of 40.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 67.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 18.7%. The only decline occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 3.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina remained the primary market for Montenegro's watermelon exports in value terms, representing 71.1% of total export earnings. Other destinations collectively accounted for the remaining share.

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

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

Imports watermelons to Montenegro

Imports in kind, t

After two consecutive years of decline, watermelon imports into Montenegro increased in 2020. The country imported approximately 2 100 tons that year, up 24.9% from 2019. However, over the full 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 36.9%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 14.2%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 682 tons, while the largest year-on-year drop of 33.7% occurred in 2018.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Albania and Greece together accounted for 84.7% of Montenegro's watermelon imports by volume. The remaining imports came from a range of other, smaller sources.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year contraction, the value of watermelon imports into Montenegro rose in 2020. Imports totaled 497.0 thousand US dollars that year, reflecting a solid increase of 13.6% compared to 2019. Despite this recent growth, imports decreased by 15.4% over the 2017-2020 period, with an average annual decline of 5.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 437.5 thousand US dollars, and the largest year-on-year decrease of 13.8% took place in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Albania and Greece dominated Montenegro's watermelon imports in value terms, jointly representing 83.3% of total import spending. Other countries accounted for the remainder.

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

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