Africa: Melon Seed Market 2025

Melon Seed Market Size in Africa

The African melon seed market shrank slightly to $X in 2022, declining by -2.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Melon Seed Production in Africa

In value terms, melon seed production contracted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate a mild setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 31%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Nigeria (X tons) remains the largest melon seed producing country in Africa, comprising approx. 63% of total volume. Moreover, melon seed production in Nigeria exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Sudan (X tons), sevenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), with a 7.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Nigeria was relatively modest. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Sudan (+4.2% per year) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (+0.3% per year).

In 2022, the average melon seed yield in Africa stood at X kg per ha, leveling off at the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 7% against the previous year. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X kg per ha. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the melon seed yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The melon seed harvested area dropped slightly to X ha in 2022, declining by -1.9% against the previous year's figure. In general, the harvested area, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the harvested area increased by 14%. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Melon Seed Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, exports of melon seed in Africa surged to X tons, with an increase of 186% on the previous year's figure. In general, exports recorded a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 702%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, melon seed exports surged to $X in 2022. Overall, exports recorded a significant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when exports increased by 2,402% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Sudan (X tons) represented the major exporter of melon seed, making up 86% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Egypt (X tons), mixing up a 10% share of total exports.

Sudan was also the fastest-growing in terms of the melon seed exports, with a CAGR of +65.6% from 2012 to 2022. Egypt (-8.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Sudan and Egypt increased by +66 and +10 percentage points, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Sudan ($X) remains the largest melon seed supplier in Africa, comprising 90% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Egypt ($X), with a 2.7% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Sudan amounted to +51.0%.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -20.1% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a pronounced decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the export price increased by 769% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Sudan ($X per ton), while Egypt totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+25.7%).

Melon Seed Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of melon seed were imported in Africa; surging by 169% against the year before. Overall, imports enjoyed a significant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 177%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, melon seed imports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports saw a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 103%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

Algeria represented the largest importing country with an import of about X tons, which recorded 46% of total imports. Egypt (X tons) held a 30% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Tunisia (4.9%). Kenya (X tons), Sudan (X tons) and South Africa (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Egypt (with a CAGR of +47.1%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Egypt ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported melon seed in Africa, comprising 51% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Algeria ($X), with a 19% share of total imports. It was followed by Tunisia, with a 3.4% share.

In Egypt, melon seed imports expanded at an average annual rate of +202.0% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Algeria (+20.3% per year) and Tunisia (+7.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, declining by -42.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 259% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then declined sharply in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while Algeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+105.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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