Watermelons market in Thailand

Earlier Report Observations

Thai watermelon production experienced a slight contraction in 2019, falling to 160 000 t from 163 600 t the previous year. Market volume followed a similar path, dipping to 158 300 t. The market then entered a period of stability through 2020 and 2021, with production hovering around 160 000–161 000 t and consumption around 158 300–158 800 t. This equilibrium was broken in 2022 when output jumped to 168 800 t, pushing available market volume up to 166 000 t, a level maintained in 2023 at 166 400 t.

The market's value trajectory was more volatile. After a sharp decline from $114.5 million in 2018 to $80.2 million in 2019, it began a steady recovery, reaching $88.3 million in 2020, $97.2 million in 2021, $106.3 million in 2022, and finally $129.8 million in 2023. This recovery in value outpaced the growth in physical volume. Concurrently, export volumes grew consistently, from 600 t in 2018 to 3 200 t in 2023, indicating an expanding international outlet for Thai watermelons.

In 2024, reported consumer trends in Thailand highlighted a shift towards cautious spending and increased savings, alongside growing environmental awareness driving demand for sustainable products. Social media and short-form video content were also noted as significant influencers on purchasing decisions for general goods.

Production watermelons in Thailand

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of watermelons, 2017-2020

World map of production of watermelons, 2017-2020

In 2020, Thailand produced 160.0 K t of watermelons, showing no significant change from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 3.6%, with an average annual decline of 1.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 160.0 K t, which also saw the largest year-on-year decline of 2.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of decline, Thailand's watermelon production value increased in 2020. The output was valued at 89.3 M $ US, marking a strong year-on-year gain of 10.1%. From 2017 to 2020, however, production value decreased by 25.8%, with an average annual decline of 9.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 81.1 M $ US, which experienced the largest year-on-year decline of 29.4%.

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

Exports watermelons from Thailand

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Thailand exported 1 747 t of watermelons, remaining broadly stable compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 428%, with an average annual growth rate of 74.1%. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2019 at 179.8%.

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

An analysis of exports in kind from 2017 to 2020 shows a broad distribution across many markets. Myanmar accounted for 17.7% of exports, Singapore for 16.1%, and Laos for 14.1%. Together, these three countries represented 48.0% of total flows, while the remaining 52.0% was distributed among numerous other partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Thailand's watermelon export value increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 974.9 K $ US, which is 10.1% higher than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 306.7%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 59.6%.

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

The market base for exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was wide. Singapore accounted for 17.8% of exports, Russia for 11.7%, and Myanmar for 11.0%. Collectively, these three countries represented just 40.5% of total flows, with the remaining 59.5% shared by numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports watermelons to Thailand

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes peaked in 2018 and bottomed out in 2019, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 552 times. In 2019, Thailand imported 0.1 t of watermelons, down by 99.8% compared to 2018. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 47 t, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 16 786.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China was the key and almost sole market for watermelon imports in kind to Thailand, accounting for 98.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import levels fluctuated 48 times between the high of 2018 and the low of 2019. In 2019, Thailand's watermelon imports came to 0.7 K $ US, down by 97.9% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 33.8 K $ US, which also experienced the largest year-on-year increase of 646.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, China clearly dominated watermelon imports in value terms to Thailand, taking 78.9% of total flows, while other countries each held significantly smaller shares.

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

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