Watermelons market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The watermelon market in Western Asia saw its volume fluctuate between 6 849 thousand tons in 2018 and 5 871 thousand tons in 2023. After a slight increase to 6 875 thousand tons in 2019, the market contracted to 6 411 thousand tons in 2020, then rebounded to 6 888 thousand tons in 2021.

From 2021 onward, market volume entered a downward trend, falling to 6 601 thousand tons in 2022 and further to 5 871 thousand tons in 2023, representing a cumulative decline of nearly 15% from the 2021 peak.

In value terms, the market showed a different pattern, with the value dropping to $2.8 billion in 2022 before recovering to $3.1 billion in 2023, close to the 2018 level.

Production watermelons in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of watermelons, 2017-2020

World map of production of watermelons, 2017-2020

Western Asia's watermelon production saw a decline after two consecutive years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 6 149 K t, but by 2020 it had fallen to 5 792 K t, representing a 5.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production dropped by 5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.7%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 0.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of watermelon production in Western Asia was 2 882 M $ US, marking a 5.9% increase compared to 2019. The lowest value during the 2017-2020 period was recorded in 2019 at 2 722 M $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 2 902 M $ US. Overall, production value grew by 4.4% from 2017 to 2020, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, when the value fell by 6.2%.

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

Exports watermelons from Western Asia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Western Asia exported 112.5 K t of watermelons, which represents a significant 55.3% increase compared to 2019. The most notable growth occurred in 2018, with exports surging by 63.1%, while the largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 12.1%. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, exports expanded by 122.6%, averaging an annual growth rate of 30.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Western Asia's watermelon exports in volume terms were highly diversified across multiple markets. Germany accounted for 5.6% of total exports, Poland for 4.6%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for another 4.6%. Together, these three countries represented just 14.8% of total export flows, with the remaining 85.2% distributed among numerous smaller trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of watermelon exports from Western Asia showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2020, export value reached 56.0 M $ US, which was 74.5% higher than in 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, creating a 2.4-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2017. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when export value fell by 17.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Western Asia's watermelon export market in value terms was characterized by broad diversification. Poland and Russia each accounted for 5.0% of total export value, while Germany represented 4.0%. Collectively, these three markets made up just 14.0% of total export flows, with the remaining 86.0% shared among numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports watermelons to Western Asia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Western Asia imported 731.6 K t of watermelons, representing an 8.4% decrease compared to 2019. The most notable increase occurred in 2019, when imports grew by 0.8%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, total imports declined by 11.6%, with an average annual decrease of 4.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Iran dominated Western Asia's watermelon imports in volume terms, accounting for 83.2% of total import flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of watermelon imports to Western Asia stood at 185.2 M $ US, reflecting a 15.6% decrease from the previous year. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 219.4 M $ US, which also saw the most significant increase of 14.6%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value declined by 6.9%, averaging an annual decrease of 2.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran remained the primary supplier of watermelons to Western Asia in value terms, accounting for 64.6% of total imports. India followed with 6.7%, and Egypt with 5.7%. Together, these three countries represented 77.0% of Western Asia's total watermelon import value during this period.

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

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