Watermelons market Turkey

Earlier Report Observations

The watermelon market volume in Turkey declined from 4 036 thousand tons in 2018 to 3 060 thousand tons in 2023. This contraction was initially prompted by heightened import competition from countries such as Iran, Jordan, Yemen, and African nations, which put pressure on domestic growers. In the latter part of the period, inflation-driven price increases for fresh fruits and vegetables dampened consumer demand, while unfavorable climatic conditions in 2023 elevated production costs and impacted harvests.

During these years, the market saw the continuous launch of high-yield seed varieties like EKINOX and ZEUGMA, which offered producers extended growing windows and yield potential. Simultaneously, regulatory measures were strengthened, including the rollout of 'conscience scales' for weight verification at markets and investments in improved packaging to reduce spoilage within the supply chain.

A brief stabilization occurred in 2021, coinciding with intensified weight and price audits at retail markets and the sustained adoption of new seed varieties, which helped balance the market amid ongoing competitive pressures from imports.

Production watermelons Turkey

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Turkey ranked as the second-largest producer of watermelons from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of watermelons, 2017-2020

World map of production of watermelons, 2017-2020

Turkey's watermelon production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 3,492 thousand tonnes of watermelons, marking a 9.8% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 13%, which translates to an annualized decline of 4.5%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 4,031 thousand tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 0.5% also occurring that year.

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

Exports watermelons to Turkey

Exports in kind, t

Watermelon exports from Turkey increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 71,810 tonnes, representing a 13.4% year-on-year rise. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 208.6%, averaging an annual growth rate of 45.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey's watermelon exports were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. Georgia accounted for 13.9% of exports, Syria for 10.7%, and Germany for 10.6%, with these three countries together making up just 35.2% of total export volumes.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, showing a 3.4-fold increase over this span. In 2020, Turkey exported watermelons worth 20,204 thousand US dollars, a sharp 59.6% rise compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 24.0%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 176.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Germany, and Russia were among the top buyers of Turkish watermelons in value terms, with shares of 13.6%, 10.7%, and 9.6%, respectively. However, even combined, they represented only 33.8% of total export value, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in value, 2017-2020

Imports watermelons in Turkey

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports hit their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, watermelon shipments to Turkey from abroad reached 32,567 tonnes, a steep 62.6% drop compared to the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 86,989 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 77.5% occurring in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey's watermelon imports were heavily concentrated on Iran, which accounted for 93.7% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Turkey imported watermelons worth 4,848 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp decrease of 26.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 18.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.8%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 6,478 thousand US dollars, with the largest year-on-year increase of 12.3% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran and Sudan were the main sources of Turkey's watermelon imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 81.3% of total flows, while other partners made up the remainder.

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

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