ASEAN: Watermelon Market 2025

Watermelon Market Size in ASEAN

The ASEAN watermelon market rose slightly to $X in 2022, picking up by 3.7% against the previous year. In general, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Watermelon Production in ASEAN

In value terms, watermelon production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 30% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Vietnam (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of watermelon production, comprising approx. 54% of total volume. Moreover, watermelon production in Vietnam exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Indonesia (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Lao People's Democratic Republic (X tons), with a 6.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Vietnam amounted to +3.0%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Indonesia (-0.6% per year) and Lao People's Democratic Republic (+5.4% per year).

In 2022, the average yield of watermelons in ASEAN totaled X tons per ha, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year's figure. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 32%. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the watermelon yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The watermelon harvested area was estimated at X ha in 2022, remaining constant against the previous year's figure. Overall, the harvested area showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the harvested area increased by 4.6%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to watermelon production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Watermelon Exports

Exports in ASEAN

In 2022, the amount of watermelons exported in ASEAN shrank markedly to X tons, waning by -15.2% against the previous year's figure. Total exports indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume 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, exports decreased by -36.1% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 34%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, watermelon exports dropped markedly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 61%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The shipments of the three major exporters of watermelons, namely Lao People's Democratic Republic, Vietnam and Myanmar, represented more than two-thirds of total export. It was distantly followed by Malaysia (X tons), making up a 12% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Lao People's Democratic Republic (with a CAGR of +68.0%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, the largest watermelon supplying countries in ASEAN were Vietnam ($X), Myanmar ($X) and Lao People's Democratic Republic ($X), together comprising 87% of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Lao People's Democratic Republic, with a CAGR of +54.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in ASEAN stood at $X per ton in 2022, which is down by -12.1% against the previous year. Export price indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% 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 increased by +1.4% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 20%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Vietnam ($X per ton), while Lao People's Democratic Republic ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Vietnam (+7.7%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Watermelon Imports

Imports in ASEAN

In 2022, overseas purchases of watermelons were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a slight downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 25%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, watermelon imports expanded markedly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when imports increased by 40% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Singapore (X tons) represented the largest importer of watermelons, committing 75% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Brunei Darussalam (X tons), creating a 22% share of total imports. Malaysia (X tons) held a little share of total imports.

Imports into Singapore increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Brunei Darussalam (+21.2%) and Malaysia (+5.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Brunei Darussalam emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in ASEAN, with a CAGR of +21.2% from 2012-2022. Brunei Darussalam (+19 p.p.) and Singapore (+15 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Singapore ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported watermelons in ASEAN, comprising 73% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Brunei Darussalam ($X), with a 23% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Singapore amounted to +5.2%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Brunei Darussalam (+15.8% per year) and Malaysia (+7.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in ASEAN amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 5.4% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the import price increased by 15%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Brunei Darussalam ($X per ton), while Singapore ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Singapore (+4.0%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform