Africa: Watermelon Market 2024

Watermelon Market Size in Africa

The African watermelon market contracted notably to $X in 2022, declining by -16.7% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a modest expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -25.4% against 2020 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Watermelon Production in Africa

In value terms, watermelon production contracted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a mild increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -19.3% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 42%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Algeria (X tons), Senegal (X tons) and Morocco (X tons), with a combined 69% share of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Senegal (with a CAGR of +24.6%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average watermelon yield was estimated at X tons per ha in 2022, increasing by 13% against the year before. Over the period under review, the yield recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the watermelon yield reached the maximum level at X tons per ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of watermelons production in Africa shrank notably to X ha, waning by -25.9% on the year before. In general, the harvested area, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the harvested area increased by 35% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha, and then fell notably in the following year.

Watermelon Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of watermelons were exported in Africa; picking up by 17% on the year before. In general, exports continue to indicate a prominent expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 46%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, watermelon exports contracted modestly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports recorded a significant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 74%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2021, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

Exports by Country

Morocco dominates exports structure, reaching X tons, which was approx. 88% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Tunisia (X tons), constituting a 5.4% share of total exports. Senegal (X tons) took a minor share of total exports.

Morocco was also the fastest-growing in terms of the watermelons exports, with a CAGR of +38.4% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Senegal (+5.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Tunisia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Morocco increased by +67 percentage points.

In value terms, Morocco ($X) remains the largest watermelon supplier in Africa, comprising 91% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Senegal ($X), with a 3.2% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Morocco totaled +39.5%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Senegal (+4.4% per year) and Tunisia (-0.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by -16.5% against the previous year. Export price indicated a modest expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, watermelon export price decreased by -8.8% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the export price increased by 30% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2021, and then reduced sharply in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Morocco ($X per ton), while Tunisia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Morocco (+0.8%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Watermelon Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, watermelon imports in Africa was estimated at X tons, picking up by 2% compared with the previous year. In general, imports posted a strong increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 92%. The volume of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, watermelon imports totaled $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports enjoyed a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 90% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

Mauritania (X tons) and Libya (X tons) represented the major importers of watermelons in 2022, resulting at approx. 26% and 25% of total imports, respectively. Rwanda (X tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Burkina Faso (X tons), Kenya (X tons) and South Africa (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 38% share of total imports. Djibouti (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Burkina Faso (with a CAGR of +91.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Libya ($X), Rwanda ($X) and Mauritania ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 61% share of total imports.

Rwanda, with a CAGR of +62.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 9.3% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a pronounced curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 11% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 South Africa ($X per ton), while Burkina Faso ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Djibouti (+6.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :