Watermelons market in the Philippines

Earlier Report Observations

The production of fresh watermelons in the Philippines opened the period at 150.5 thousand tons in 2018, with the availability of strong hybrid varieties enabling year-round cultivation and improved planting schedules to optimize market supply. By 2019, output declined to 143.5 thousand tons, even as farmers continued to focus on timing and hybrid use to maintain income potential in what was seen as a promising crop due to stable prices.

After a recovery to 148.5 thousand tons in 2020, production entered a downward phase, falling to 135.8 thousand tons in 2021. In 2022, international fertilizer price movements influenced production costs, coinciding with a stabilization of volume at 134.6 thousand tons. The decline resumed in 2023, with production dropping to 124.7 thousand tons.

Toward the end of the period, local government and agricultural offices began promoting farmer organization to improve market access and avoid oversupply. Partnerships with private companies introduced early-maturing, high-yielding smart crop watermelon varieties, and harvest festivals showcased new techniques, all aimed at increasing crop yield and market resilience.

Production watermelons in the Philippines

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of watermelons, 2017-2020

World map of production of watermelons, 2017-2020

In the Philippines, watermelon production reached 148.5 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a modest year-over-year increase of 3.5%. Production had previously peaked in 2018 at 150.5 thousand tonnes, then declined to its lowest point in 2019 at 143.5 thousand tonnes, representing a drop of 4.7% from the previous year.

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

Exports watermelons from the Philippines

Exports in kind, kg

Export volumes of watermelons from the Philippines showed significant volatility during this period. In 2019, exports reached their highest level at 14 374 kg, but then plummeted by 96.5% to just 503 kg in 2020, creating a 29-fold difference between these two years. The largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2019, when exports grew by 27.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Philippines in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the majority of Philippine watermelon exports in volume terms were concentrated in just two markets: South Korea and the United Arab Emirates. Other destinations accounted for a much smaller share of total exports during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

The value of Philippine watermelon exports demonstrated considerable volatility between 2017 and 2020. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 28 295 US dollars, while the lowest occurred in 2020 at just 275 US dollars - representing a dramatic 103-fold difference between peak and trough. In 2020, export value declined sharply by 96.5% compared to the previous year. The largest year-over-year increase took place in 2018, when export value grew by 84.4%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates accounted for 95.9% of the total value of Philippine watermelon exports. The remaining 4.1% was distributed among various other markets, each with relatively minor individual contributions.

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

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

Imports watermelons to the Philippines

According to marketing reports, the Philippines did not import any watermelons between 2017 and 2020.