Watermelons market in Polynesia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh watermelons in Polynesia experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After a sharp contraction to 1 092 t in 2019, market volume recovered over the next three years, peaking at 2 139 t in 2022. This growth was driven by a substantial rise in domestic production, which reached 2 130 t that year, alongside lower export activity. However, in 2023, the market volume decreased to 1 663 t as production and imports both declined.

Recent developments include the introduction of a digital publication for patents and trademarks in the Official Journal from September 2023, designed to facilitate the protection of local innovations which can influence production and commercialization. Furthermore, a pilot greenhouse project launched on Huahine in 2024 aims to produce watermelons and melons, with an output of 2 t every three months, targeting local school canteens and markets to strengthen the supply of fresh produce.

Production watermelons in Polynesia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of watermelons, 2017-2020

World map of production of watermelons, 2017-2020

After two years of decline, watermelon production in Polynesia increased in 2020. That year, Polynesia produced 1,536 tonnes of watermelons, representing a 3.5% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 12.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1,485 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual decline of 15.2%.

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

Exports watermelons from Polynesia

Exports in kind, t

The export market demonstrated significant volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 14.7 tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 673.9 tonnes, representing a 46-fold difference between these years. In 2020, watermelon exports from Polynesia amounted to 673.9 tonnes, showing a gradual increase of 4.1% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 96.2% drop, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2019 at 4,315.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand was the primary buyer of watermelons from Polynesia, accounting for 72.3% of total exports in volume terms. Other trading partners maintained relatively modest shares during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market in value terms showed considerable volatility throughout the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 18.8 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2019 at 304.1 thousand US dollars, representing a 16-fold fluctuation between these years. In 2020, Polynesia's watermelon export value amounted to 299.5 thousand US dollars, marking a slight decline of 1.5% compared to the previous year. The largest decrease occurred in 2018 with an 89.0% drop, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2019 at 1,517.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the country structure of exports in value terms was primarily shaped by New Zealand and China, which together accounted for 78.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports watermelons to Polynesia

Imports in kind, t

Imported watermelon volumes to Polynesia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Polynesia imported 1,000 tonnes of watermelons, representing a dramatic year-over-year increase of 43.4%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 118.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 29.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for imports in volume terms were the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, which together accounted for 72.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Watermelon imports to Polynesia increased in value for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 350.4 thousand US dollars, indicating an 8.0% gain compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 33%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 10.0%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States (59.6% of imports in value terms), Australia (16.7%), and New Zealand (8.9%) formed the main group of sources for watermelon imports to Polynesia, with a combined share of 85.2% of total import flows.

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

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