Watermelons market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

The U.S. watermelon market experienced volume fluctuations between 2018 and 2020, as seasonal weather patterns repeatedly impacted domestic production in leading states like Florida and Texas. During these years, rising consumer demand for convenient seedless and mini varieties supported market interest, while substantial growth in imports helped compensate for lower local harvests.

From 2021, the market's value entered a sustained upward trend, propelled by effective social media promotion on platforms like Instagram and TikTok and by marketing campaigns highlighting nutritional benefits. By 2023, these demand-side drivers, combined with broader global cost pressures on inputs and transportation, contributed to a significant market expansion, reaching a volume of 1 923 thousand tons and a value of 1 413 million US dollars.

Product innovation also played a role, with key companies launching new items such as watermelon-flavored beverages and personal care products containing watermelon extracts. The growing popularity of raw watermelon seeds as a superfood further diversified the market and attracted new consumer segments.

Production watermelons in Northern America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of watermelons, 2017-2020

World map of production of watermelons, 2017-2020

Watermelon production in Northern America has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 595 thousand tons of watermelons, which represents a 4.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 14.7%, translating to an average annual decline of 5.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Watermelon production in Northern America has seen a decline for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 817.7 million US dollars, marking a modest 3.8% year-over-year drop. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 17.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports watermelons from Northern America

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 0.3 thousand tons and peaked in 2019 at 0.9 thousand tons, representing a 3.3-fold difference. In 2020, watermelon exports from Northern America stood at 0.5 thousand tons, showing a sharp decline of 47.3% from 2019. The largest decrease occurred in 2018 with a 51.3% drop, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2019 with a 229.4% rise.

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

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export values hit their lowest in 2018 at 0.1 million US dollars and reached their highest in 2019 at 0.5 million US dollars, with a 3.2-fold gap between these years. In 2020, watermelon exports from Northern America amounted to 0.2 million US dollars, reflecting a 46.9% decrease from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018 at 52.5%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 with a 224.1% jump.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France remained the primary buyer of watermelons from Northern America, accounting for 0.9% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports watermelons to Northern America

Imports in kind, K t

The market demonstrated volatility over the observed period. Import volumes were at their lowest in 2018 with 82.8 thousand tons and peaked in 2017, showing a 4.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Northern America imported 234.6 thousand tons of watermelons, indicating a modest 9.5% increase from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 76.4% drop, while the most significant increase was in 2019 with a 158.8% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Mexico (34.1% of imports in volume), Guatemala (4.3% of imports in volume), and Honduras (2.7% of imports in volume) formed the core of imports, together accounting for 41.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Northern America imported watermelons worth 123.2 million US dollars, representing a substantial 12.6% increase from the year before. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 6.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 109.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 6.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico (29.0% of imports in value), Guatemala (4.8% of imports in value), and Honduras (3.0% of imports in value) consistently held leading positions in the import structure, jointly making up 36.8% of total flows.

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

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