Watermelons market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh watermelons in Slovakia fluctuated between 29 940 tons and 45 951 tons from 2018 to 2023, with a notable contraction to 29 940 tons in 2020. In value terms, the market demonstrated consistent growth, rising from 17.2 million US dollars in 2018 to 32.8 million US dollars in 2023, indicating an increase in average prices or a shift in market composition.

Domestic production expanded from 2 370 tons in 2018 to a peak of 5 780 tons in 2021, before declining to 3 340 tons by 2023. Imports, which form the majority of supply, fell sharply to 26 753 tons in 2020, contributing to the overall market volume dip that year, but recovered to 43 075 tons in 2023, supporting the market's physical recovery.

The market's value growth continued unabated even during years of lower physical volume, such as 2020, suggesting underlying factors like price movements or changes in the imported product mix were elevating the monetary size of the market throughout the period.

Production watermelons in Slovakia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of watermelons, 2017-2020

World map of production of watermelons, 2017-2020

Slovakia's watermelon production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 4 450 tonnes of watermelons, marking a 15.9% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 12.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.1%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 370 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 39.9%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a significant jump of 62.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Watermelon production in Slovakia has risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 2 496 thousand US dollars, showing a modest gain of 1.9% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 17.7%, translating to a compound annual growth rate of 5.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 546 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 27.1%. The largest increase was in 2019, with a notable rise of 58.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Slovakia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports watermelons from Slovakia

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports bottomed in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a four-fold difference between these years. In 2020, watermelon volumes leaving Slovakia amounted to 1 263 tonnes, which is 120.5% higher than the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 317 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 45.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, two markets—Czechia and Hungary—played leading roles in exports by volume, together accounting for 84.2% of total flows, while the remainder was distributed among other destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports bottomed in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.4-fold difference. In 2020, watermelon volumes leaving Slovakia were valued at 709 thousand US dollars, representing a 94.0% increase from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 207 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 34.3%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Hungary and Czechia concentrated the majority of watermelon exports from Slovakia in value terms, while other markets formed a less significant portion.

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

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

Imports watermelons to Slovakia

Imports in kind, t

Slovakia imported approximately 26 753 tonnes of watermelons in 2020, reflecting an abrupt fall of 30.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 28%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.4%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 38 200 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 4.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets—Hungary, Germany, and the United Kingdom—remained central to imports by volume, together accounting for 60.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Slovakia's watermelon import volume has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 18 592 thousand US dollars, constituting a robust gain of 11.8% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 27%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner landscape for imports in value terms was diverse. Germany (21.0% of imports), Spain (14.1% of imports), and the United Kingdom (13.4% of imports) together formed only 48.5% of total flows, with a substantial 51.5% supplied by many other countries.

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

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