Watermelons market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh watermelons in Northern Africa experienced a persistent decline in volume from over 5 million metric tons in 2018 to approximately 4.2 million metric tons in 2022, before stabilizing around 4.3 million metric tons in 2023. This reduction occurred alongside a substantial increase in exports, which more than doubled from 2018 to 2022, reaching 315 thousand metric tons. Strong European demand, driven by an expanded consumer base in France and a growing preference for locally sourced produce, created export opportunities for North African producers, diverting a larger share of production abroad and contributing to the contraction of domestic market volume.

European market trends significantly influenced export dynamics. From 2019, demand shifted towards smaller watermelon formats, such as mini-watermelons, catering to smaller households and changing consumption patterns. This supported export growth, especially as European import volumes rose to 496 thousand metric tons by 2023. However, initiatives like the SudExpé variety testing program launched in France in 2020 aimed to adapt local production to consumer preferences, potentially reducing import reliance. By 2023, climatic factors and reinforced local consumption trends in Europe began to affect import flows, contributing to a drop in exports from Northern Africa to 263 thousand metric tons.

Global market conditions further shaped the trade environment. Worldwide watermelon production reached record levels, but European consumption fell by 14% in 2024 compared to 2023, following a peak in 2021. These dynamics, alongside competitive production in Spain and Italy, influenced export opportunities for North African watermelons throughout the period, reflecting the interconnected nature of the market.

Production watermelons in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of watermelons, 2017-2020

World map of production of watermelons, 2017-2020

Watermelon production in Northern Africa declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 4 937 thousand tonnes of watermelons, marking a 4.7% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 4.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 5 204 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 10.0%.

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

Exports watermelons from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Watermelon exports from Northern Africa rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 262.8 thousand tonnes, showing a significant increase of 41.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 47.6%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 13.8%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 178.0 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 0.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top buyers of watermelons from Northern Africa were Spain, accounting for 32.0% of exports in volume, France with 30.7%, and the Netherlands at 7.9%. Together, these three countries made up 70.6% of total watermelon exports from the region.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, watermelon exports from Northern Africa reached 171.9 million US dollars, a 57.3% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 71.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 19.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 21.0%.

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

During 2017-2020, the main buyers in value terms were Spain, representing 33.3% of export value, France at 32.9%, and the Netherlands with 8.1%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 74.4% of total watermelon export value from Northern Africa.

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

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

Imports watermelons to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, K t

The import market for watermelons in Northern Africa showed volatility over the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 0.1 thousand tonnes and peaked in 2019 at 1.7 thousand tonnes, resulting in a 20-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports stood at 0.6 thousand tonnes, indicating a sharp decline of 67.3% from 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, surging by 1 902.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary sources for watermelon imports to Northern Africa were Brazil, contributing 1.8% of import volume, Senegal at 1.0%, and Costa Rica with 0.6%. Together, these countries accounted for 3.4% of total imports in volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The import market in value terms was unstable throughout the timeframe. The lowest value was in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 1.0 million US dollars, showing a 9.8-fold amplitude. In 2020, imports totaled 0.3 million US dollars, a decrease of 66.6% compared to 2019. The largest increase was in 2018, rising by 878.9%.

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

In 2017-2020, the leading sources for watermelon imports to Northern Africa in value terms were Brazil, making up 4.2% of import value, Senegal at 1.7%, and Costa Rica with 1.4%. Collectively, these three countries represented 7.3% of total import flows.

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

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