Watermelon Market

Watermelon market: enjoy new facts and figures provided by an Ai-driven market intelligence platform. Data contain market size, consumption, market prices, companies, production, imports, trade, and exports. Here is a breakdown by region, including Africa, Latin America, China, the U.S., EU, the U.K., Russia, and the Middle East. Market trends and outlook to 2030 are also featured in the dashboards.

The global watermelon market is poised for growth in the coming years, driven by increasing demand worldwide. Market performance is projected to accelerate, with a forecasted CAGR of +1.7% in volume and +3.4% in value from 2024 to 2030. This growth is expected to bring the market volume to 111M tons and market value to $83.3B by the end of 2030.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for watermelons worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next six years. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.7% for the period from 2024 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 111M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.4% for the period from 2024 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $83.3B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Watermelons

In 2024, approx. 100M tons of watermelons were consumed worldwide; stabilizing at the previous year's figure. In general, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Global consumption peaked at 103M tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2024, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global watermelon market value totaled $68.1B in 2024, flattening at the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% from 2012 to 2024; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Global consumption peaked at $69.3B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

China (61M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of watermelon consumption, accounting for 60% of total volume. Moreover, watermelon consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Turkey (3.3M tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by India (3.2M tons), with a 3.2% share.

From 2012 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Turkey (-1.6% per year) and India (+5.5% per year).

In value terms, China ($50B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by Algeria ($1.4B). It was followed by the United States.

From 2012 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of value in China amounted to +4.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Algeria (+2.2% per year) and the United States (+1.2% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of watermelon per capita consumption in 2024 were Senegal (81 kg per person), Algeria (44 kg per person) and China (42 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Senegal (with a CAGR of +16.4%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Watermelons

In 2024, the amount of watermelons produced worldwide dropped slightly to 101M tons, flattening at the year before. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 2.2%. Global production peaked at 103M tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2024, production stood at a somewhat lower figure. The general positive trend in terms output was largely conditioned by a relatively flat trend pattern of the harvested area and a relatively flat trend pattern in yield figures.

In value terms, watermelon production rose to $71.6B in 2024 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% from 2012 to 2024; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 27%. Global production peaked at $73.2B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

China (60M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of watermelon production, accounting for 60% of total volume. Moreover, watermelon production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Turkey (3.4M tons), more than tenfold. India (3.3M tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 3.3% share.

In China, watermelon production remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2024. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Turkey (-1.4% per year) and India (+5.5% per year).

Yield

In 2024, the global average watermelon yield amounted to 34 tons per ha, stabilizing at the year before. Over the period under review, the yield recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the yield increased by 2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average watermelon yield reached the maximum level at 34 tons per ha in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the yield remained at a lower figure.

Harvested Area

In 2024, approx. 3M ha of watermelons were harvested worldwide; leveling off at the year before. Over the period under review, the harvested area showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2023 with an increase of 1.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to watermelon production attained the peak figure at 3.2M ha in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2024, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Imports

World Imports of Watermelons

In 2024, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas purchases of watermelons, when their volume increased by 6.5% to 4M tons. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the period from 2012 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 14%. Over the period under review, global imports attained the peak figure at 4.1M tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, watermelon imports contracted modestly to $2.4B in 2024. Overall, total imports indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.5% over the last twelve years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, imports increased by +113.0% against 2012 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports reached the peak figure at $2.5B in 2023, and then reduced modestly in the following year.

Imports By Country

In 2024, the United States (835K tons), distantly followed by Germany (401K tons), Canada (256K tons), the Netherlands (247K tons), the UK (211K tons), China (203K tons) and France (198K tons) represented the key importers of watermelons, together comprising 58% of total imports. Poland (175K tons), the United Arab Emirates (153K tons) and the Czech Republic (109K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into the United States increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% from 2012 to 2024. At the same time, the United Arab Emirates (+16.5%), the UK (+10.5%), the Netherlands (+7.5%), Poland (+5.5%), France (+4.8%), Germany (+2.9%), the Czech Republic (+2.6%) and Canada (+1.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the United Arab Emirates emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +16.5% from 2012-2024. By contrast, China (-5.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the United Arab Emirates (+2.8 p.p.), the UK (+2.8 p.p.), the Netherlands (+2.1 p.p.) and the United States (+1.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global imports from 2012-2024, the share of Canada (-1.8 p.p.) and China (-11.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($452M), Germany ($316M) and the UK ($189M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2024, with a combined 39% share of global imports. The Netherlands, France, Canada, Poland, the Czech Republic, the United Arab Emirates and China lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 31%.

The United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +14.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average watermelon import price stood at $602 per ton in 2024, reducing by -8.7% against the previous year. Over the last twelve years, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.6%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2022 when the average import price increased by 14% against the previous year. Global import price peaked at $659 per ton in 2023, and then dropped in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($896 per ton), while China ($162 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+4.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Watermelons

After two years of decline, overseas shipments of watermelons increased by 17% to 4.8M tons in 2024. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the period from 2012 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 26% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2024 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, watermelon exports rose rapidly to $2.8B in 2024. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.2% over the last twelve years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, exports increased by +131.2% against 2012 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 28%. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs in 2024 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports By Country

Spain (865K tons) and Mexico (849K tons) represented the key exporters of watermelons in 2024, amounting to approx. 18% and 18% of total exports, respectively. Iran (511K tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Italy (303K tons), the United States (243K tons) and Morocco (226K tons). All these countries together took approx. 27% share of total exports. Greece (206K tons), Lao People's Democratic Republic (149K tons), Uzbekistan (143K tons) and Guatemala (140K tons) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Uzbekistan (with a CAGR of +114.2%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Spain ($698M), Mexico ($412M) and Morocco ($217M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2024, together accounting for 48% of global exports. Italy, the United States, Iran, Greece, Guatemala, Uzbekistan and Lao People's Democratic Republic lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 25%.

Among the main exporting countries, Uzbekistan, with a CAGR of +112.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2024, the average watermelon export price amounted to $570 per ton, declining by -4% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2024, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.3%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the average export price increased by 20%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $593 per ton in 2023, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Morocco ($962 per ton), while Lao People's Democratic Republic ($133 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Guatemala (+4.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform