Watermelons market in Morocco

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, Morocco's watermelon production saw a dramatic 300% increase, propelling the country to become the world's third-largest producer. This surge supported a domestic market volume of 586 thousand tons. However, the market then contracted over the next two years, falling to 508 thousand tons in 2019 and 432 thousand tons in 2020.

A recovery followed in 2021, with market volume climbing back to 571 thousand tons. This upturn was short-lived, as severe water stress and phytosanitary issues, including a virus causing fruit rot in key growing regions like Agadir and Taroudant, led to a sharp decline. By 2023, the market had shrunk to 216 thousand tons, with production constraints tightening further into 2024 due to government-mandated suspensions of watermelon cultivation in water-stressed areas.

Despite the shrinking domestic supply, Morocco consolidated its role as a major exporter, particularly to the European Union. Exports to France grew by 155% between 2015 and 2024, and Morocco became the EU's third-largest watermelon supplier. However, drought conditions in 2024 contributed to a drop in export volumes to 114 thousand tons, highlighting the market's vulnerability to climate.

Production watermelons in Morocco

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Morocco was among the world's leading watermelon producers from 2017 to 2020, ranking 18th globally by production volume.

Top producers of watermelons, 2017-2020

World map of production of watermelons, 2017-2020

In 2020, Morocco produced 677.3 K t of watermelons, remaining stable compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 9.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.0%. The highest production was recorded in 2018 at 742.4 K t, which represented a 19.9% increase from the previous year. In 2019, production saw its largest decline of 9.1%.

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

Exports watermelons from Morocco

Exports in kind, K t

Morocco's watermelon exports increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 245.3 K t, a 47.4% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 76.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 20.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, France, and the Netherlands were the key partners for Morocco's watermelon exports in volume terms, accounting for 36.7%, 34.2%, and 9.0% of exports, respectively. Together, they represented 79.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Morocco's watermelon exports in value terms amounted to 162.6 M $ US, marking a sharp increase of 63.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 102.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 26.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 21.4% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, France, and the Netherlands continued to be the top buyers of Moroccan watermelons in value terms, accounting for 37.0%, 36.0%, and 9.0% of exports, respectively. Collectively, they represented 81.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports watermelons to Morocco

Imports in kind, K t

Morocco's watermelon imports increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 0.1 K t, a 24.2% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 38.8%, with a compound annual decline rate of 15.1%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 K t, reflecting a 64.0% decline from the previous year. In 2019, imports saw their largest increase of 36.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, Senegal, and Costa Rica remained the main suppliers of watermelons to Morocco in volume terms, accounting for 47.8%, 25.1%, and 15.3% of imports, respectively. Together, they formed 88.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Morocco's watermelon imports in value terms increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, amounting to 0.0 M $ US, up 1.3% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 27.1%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 10.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 M $ US, with a 53.2% drop from the previous year. In 2019, imports saw their largest increase of 53.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Brazil, Senegal, and Costa Rica formed the core group of markets for Morocco's watermelon imports in value terms, accounting for 52.2%, 20.7%, and 17.7% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 90.6% of total import flows.

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

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