Watermelons market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish fresh watermelon market began a growth phase in 2018, supported by the emergence of differentiated brands like Anecoop's Bouquet, which added value and helped transform watermelons from a commodity into a premium product. This branding effort contributed to increased production, which rose steadily through 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 significantly boosted demand for fresh fruit, leading to a sharp increase in market volume to over 500 thousand metric tons.

Production peaked in 2021 at nearly 1.4 million metric tons, while market size remained high. The following year, an early heatwave accelerated the season and drove up demand and prices, although production declined due to reduced cultivated area and spring cold snaps. Soaring costs for energy, transport, and inputs—linked to the war in Ukraine and the pandemic—further impacted the sector. Despite a reported drop in household consumption volume, market volume grew, supported by higher imports and distributor investments in local summer fruit, such as Grupo Dia's 'made in Spain' initiatives.

By 2023, the market stabilized around 626 thousand metric tons. Per capita consumption increased, and major retailers reinforced their commitment to domestic sourcing; for instance, Mercadona announced plans to purchase 115 000 metric tons of national watermelons in 2024, a 38% rise from the previous campaign, highlighting the ongoing preference for fresh, convenient, and locally grown produce.

Production watermelons in Spain

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Spain held the 15th position globally in watermelon production.

Top producers of watermelons, 2017-2020

World map of production of watermelons, 2017-2020

Watermelon production in Spain rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, Spain produced 1 235 thousand tonnes of watermelons, marking a slight increase of 2.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 10.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.5%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 1 092 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 1.9%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the highest increase at 9.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of watermelon output in Spain reached 747.4 million US dollars, showing a strong increase of 21.8% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 35.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 4.4%.

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

Exports watermelons from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, watermelon exports from Spain declined. In 2020, exports stood at 839.6 thousand tonnes, down 7.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 13.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.2%. The peak was in 2019 at 910.9 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 15.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom were the main buyers of watermelons from Spain, accounting for 41.1%, 16.9%, and 8.8% of exports in volume, respectively. Together, they made up 66.7% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, foreign watermelon supplies from Spain totaled 508.2 million US dollars, up 9.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 38.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.5%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 7.1%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 36.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom led as the top buyers of watermelons from Spain in value terms, with shares of 39.4%, 17.7%, and 8.5%, respectively. Their combined share reached 65.6% of total exports in value.

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

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

Imports watermelons to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, watermelon imports into Spain stood at 110.0 thousand tonnes, up 34.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 40.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.9%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 13.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Morocco was the primary supplier of watermelons to Spain, accounting for 75.3% of total imports in volume, while other partners had relatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Spain's watermelon imports amounted to 71.4 million US dollars, reflecting a steep rise of 49.9% from a year earlier. From 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 45.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.4%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 47.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 26.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Morocco was the main supplier of watermelons to Spain, taking 76.6% of total imports in value terms, while other partners had relatively modest shares.

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

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