Watermelons market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

South Africa's watermelon market volume showed significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023, starting at 72 672 tonnes. Growth in 2019 was supported by government phytosanitary control measures that helped protect crops from pests like the Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer. The market then contracted sharply in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic created logistical bottlenecks and drove up freight costs, disrupting production and distribution.

Recovery in 2021 coincided with the state-owned Fruit SA issuing new grading and packaging guidelines for watermelons, which standardized size classifications and improved market efficiency. Another decline followed in 2022 when global spikes in fertilizer and fuel prices raised production costs for growers. By 2023, the market stabilized around 62 446 tonnes, aided by the rise of digital sales platforms and strong turnover in municipal fresh produce markets that maintained demand.

Throughout the period, regulatory changes such as the adoption of labelling Regulation R146 and its subsequent amendments continuously shaped how watermelons could be marketed. Fruit SA's ongoing efforts to promote export-ready standards and negotiate international market access influenced the trade environment. Later developments, including the Competition Commission's 2025 inquiry recommending stricter price-per-kilogram labelling, highlighted the ongoing regulatory focus on transparency in the fresh produce sector.

Production watermelons in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of watermelons, 2018-2021

World map of production of watermelons, 2018-2021

South Africa produced 82 329 tonnes of watermelons in 2021, marking a sharp year-over-year increase of 35.2%. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 9.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 60 915 tonnes, with the largest decline occurring that same year at 23.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports watermelons from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

Watermelon exports from South Africa fell for the second year in a row in 2021, reaching 2 338 tonnes—a moderate decrease of 3.4% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018–2021 period, exports dropped by 19.5%, averaging an annual decline of 7.0%. The highest export volume was in 2019 at 4 082 tonnes, while the largest decline of 40.7% occurred in 2020. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest increase at 40.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Botswana, Lesotho, and Mozambique were the top destinations for South Africa's watermelon exports by volume. Botswana accounted for 26.4% of exports, Lesotho for 18.1%, and Mozambique for 14.2%, together making up 58.7% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The watermelon export market in value terms showed an unstable trend during this period. Exports peaked in 2019 and hit their lowest point in 2020, with a 3.2-fold difference between these years. In 2021, South Africa exported watermelons worth 1 146 thousand US dollars, a significant year-over-year rise of 17.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 977 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 3 112 thousand US dollars. The largest decline of 68.6% occurred in 2020, whereas 2019 saw the biggest increase at 120.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, the United Kingdom, Botswana, and Lesotho were the key partners for South Africa's watermelon exports by value. The United Kingdom represented 28.0% of exports, Botswana 18.4%, and Lesotho 10.9%, collectively accounting for 57.3% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Imports watermelons to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

Watermelon imports into South Africa displayed volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their highest level in 2019 and their lowest in 2021, with a 2.5-fold difference. In 2021, South Africa imported watermelons totaling 190 tonnes, down 54.8% from 2020. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 807 tonnes, with the largest increase of 93.3% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Namibia dominated South Africa's watermelon imports by volume, holding a 92.2% share of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

South Africa's watermelon import value declined for the second consecutive year in 2021, standing at 190 thousand US dollars—a limited year-over-year decrease of 7.6%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 301 thousand US dollars. The largest decline of 31.6% occurred in 2020, while 2019 saw the biggest increase at 55.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

During 2018–2021, South Africa's watermelon import structure in value terms was heavily concentrated on Namibia, which accounted for 87.8% of total flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021