Watermelons market Ukraine

Earlier Report Observations

The Ukrainian watermelon market relied almost entirely on domestic production in 2018, with minimal imports. An early season and unusually warm spring that year led to a significant drop in prices. Supply stabilized in 2019 following the previous year's low prices, and despite producers focusing on using existing stocks rather than expanding planted area, domestic production increased, pushing the total market volume up to 428,000 tons. In 2020, production declined and exports rose, reducing the market volume to 368,000 tons. While the COVID-19 pandemic did not directly impact watermelons, transport and logistics restrictions increased the role of imports, particularly from Turkey, to help maintain supply.

Market volume recovered to 393,000 tons in 2021, supported by a tenfold surge in imports. This sharp rise in shipments from Turkey and Greece became key to meeting demand as part of southern Ukraine remained under occupation. The full-scale invasion in 2022 and the occupation of Kherson Oblast, a major producing region, nearly halved domestic production. This caused the market volume to plummet to 242,000 tons, even as imports spiked to a record high to become the foundation of domestic supply. By 2023, the market volume stabilized at 237,000 tons. Shortages continued as many producers shifted focus to grain crops and Kherson remained unavailable, keeping import reliance high. During this period, technical hybrids like seedless varieties began gaining popularity, influencing consumer preferences and creating new product segments.

Production watermelons Ukraine

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Ukraine ranked 28th globally in watermelon production.

Top producers of watermelons, 2017-2020

World map of production of watermelons, 2017-2020

Ukraine's watermelon production saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2020, the country produced 400.1 thousand tons of watermelons, marking a moderate 9.4% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 14%, averaging an annualized rate of 4.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 441.7 thousand tons, with the largest year-on-year increase of 13.1% occurring in 2018.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following a two-year upward trend, Ukraine's watermelon production value declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 61 165 thousand US dollars, down 16.1% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, the production value increased by 26.8%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 8.2%. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 72 872 thousand US dollars, while the most significant increase of 39.7% was recorded in 2018.

Annual dynamics of production Ukraine in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports watermelons to Ukraine

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 14 253 tons and peaked in 2020 at 33 878 tons, representing a 2.4-fold increase. In 2020, Ukraine exported 33 878 tons of watermelons, a substantial 137.7% rise from 2019. The largest decline of 22.9% was recorded in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland (20.4% of exports in kind), Moldova (19.0%), and Belarus (16.2%) were the top contributors to Ukraine's watermelon exports, collectively accounting for 55.7% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Export values dropped to a minimum in 2019 at 2 352 thousand US dollars and climbed to a maximum in 2020 at 5 179 thousand US dollars, a 2.2-fold increase. In 2020, Ukraine's watermelon exports totaled 5 179 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp 120.2% rise compared to the previous year. The largest decline of 25.1% was recorded in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland (22.2% of exports in value terms), Belarus (17.8%), and Lithuania (17.4%) led Ukraine's watermelon export structure, together comprising 57.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports watermelons in Ukraine

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market during these years. Imports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 283 tons and reached their highest in 2020 at 2 155 tons, reflecting a 7.6-fold gap. In 2020, Ukraine imported 2 155 tons of watermelons, a 242.0% increase from the previous year. The largest decline of 71.4% was recorded in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey (29.1% of imports in kind), Moldova (20.9%), and Uzbekistan (11.9%) dominated Ukraine's watermelon import structure, collectively representing 62.0% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import values fell to their lowest point in 2018 at 201 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2020 at 1 728 thousand US dollars, a fluctuation of 8.6 times. In 2020, Ukraine imported 1 728 thousand US dollars worth of watermelons, constituting an abrupt 313.4% gain compared to the previous year. The largest decline of 11.3% was recorded in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey (35.1% of imports in value terms), Azerbaijan (11.8%), and Uzbekistan (10.8%) led the structure of Ukraine's watermelon imports, together accounting for 57.8% of total import value.

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

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