Watermelons market in North Macedonia

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, North Macedonia's watermelon market stood at 126 thousand tons, bolstered by the country's established role as a significant global exporter of produce like watermelons. Market volume contracted to 118 thousand tons in 2019, a period that saw amendments to the Criminal Code which tightened regulatory oversight in the agricultural sector. The market then stabilized around 118.9 thousand tons in 2020.

Foreign direct investment inflows into agriculture from 2021 onward supported a gradual recovery, with the market reaching 119.2 thousand tons that year. After a contraction to 114.1 thousand tons in 2022, the market rebounded to 120.7 thousand tons in 2023. This growth was partly facilitated by the integration of the national electricity market with regional networks, which helped curb production costs for farmers.

The market landscape evolved in 2024 with the entry of new domestic players, such as MRT MULTINATIONAL COMPANY, specializing in vegetable and melon cultivation. Simultaneously, international retail chains like Lidl expanded their sourcing of Macedonian fruits and vegetables for export, reinforcing quality standards and external demand. These developments occurred alongside shifting consumer preferences and a strengthening of the State Market Inspectorate to align with EU legislation, affecting product control and safety.

Production watermelons in North Macedonia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of watermelons, 2017-2020

World map of production of watermelons, 2017-2020

North Macedonia's watermelon production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 125.0 K t of watermelons, marking a 1.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 3.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.0%. The highest production was recorded in 2018 at 132.1 K t, which represented a 9.0% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 4.4%.

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

Exports watermelons from North Macedonia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, North Macedonia exported 8 321 t of watermelons, showing a modest 8.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports dropped significantly by 55.4%, with an average annual decline of 23.6%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 7 273 t, which saw the largest decline of 61.0%. In contrast, exports increased by 24.6% in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina were notable buyers of North Macedonian watermelons, accounting for 15.6%, 11.0%, and 8.7% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share was only 35.3% of total exports, indicating a diverse market with many other partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, North Macedonia exported watermelons worth 1 629 K $ US, experiencing a sharp decline of 24.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 43.9%, with an average annual drop of 17.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 579 K $ US, which saw the largest decline of 45.7%. Exports rebounded in 2019 with a 36.0% increase.

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

During 2017-2020, Czechia, Sweden, and Serbia were key buyers of North Macedonian watermelons in value terms, with shares of 16.6%, 10.1%, and 9.9%, respectively. Their combined share reached 36.6% of total export value, while the remaining 63.4% was distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Imports watermelons to North Macedonia

Imports in kind, t

The import market showed an unstable trend over this period. In 2019, imports reached their lowest point at 796 t, declining by 31.4%. By 2020, imports surged to 2 202 t, a 176.6% increase from 2019, marking the highest volume. This represents a 2.8-fold difference between the minimum in 2019 and the maximum in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Albania dominated North Macedonia's watermelon imports in kind, accounting for 74.0% of total flows. The remaining volume was shared among other partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values fluctuated significantly during this timeframe. In 2019, imports hit a low of 262 K $ US, falling by 28.3%. In 2020, imports rose to 554 K $ US, a 111.7% increase year-over-year, reaching the peak. This resulted in a 2.1-fold variation between the minimum in 2019 and the maximum in 2020.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Albania was the primary source for North Macedonia's watermelon imports in value terms, holding a 71.9% share. The rest of the imports were spread across various other markets.

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

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