Australia and Oceania: Watermelon Market 2025

Watermelon Market Size in Australia and Oceania

The watermelon market in Australia and Oceania expanded notably to $X in 2022, growing by 5.5% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% 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 -4.1% against 2020 indices. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Watermelon Production in Australia and Oceania

In value terms, watermelon production expanded rapidly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.8% 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 -5.9% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 31% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of watermelon production was Australia (X tons), comprising approx. 93% of total volume. Moreover, watermelon production in Australia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Fiji (X tons), more than tenfold.

In Australia, watermelon production expanded at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012-2022.

The average watermelon yield contracted to X tons per ha in 2022, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the yield increased by 8.2%. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the watermelon yield remained 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 Australia and Oceania amounted to X ha, remaining constant against 2021 figures. In general, the harvested area recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the harvested area increased by 5.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to watermelon production attained the maximum at X ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Watermelon Exports

Exports in Australia and Oceania

In 2022, approx. X tons of watermelons were exported in Australia and Oceania; with a decrease of -18.6% on the previous year. Over the period under review, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, watermelon exports reduced to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, saw strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 35% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Australia was the main exporting country with an export of about X tons, which accounted for 83% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Tonga (X tons), constituting a 16% share of total exports.

Exports from Australia decreased at an average annual rate of -1.8% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Tonga (+9.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Tonga emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Australia and Oceania, with a CAGR of +9.6% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Tonga increased by +10 percentage points.

In value terms, Australia ($X) remains the largest watermelon supplier in Australia and Oceania, comprising 89% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Tonga ($X), with a 10% share of total exports.

In Australia, watermelon exports expanded at an average annual rate of +6.8% over the period from 2012-2022.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Australia and Oceania stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 15% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 27%. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Australia (+8.7%).

Watermelon Imports

Imports in Australia and Oceania

In 2022, approx. X tons of watermelons were imported in Australia and Oceania; which is down by -18.5% on 2021. Overall, imports recorded a drastic downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 90% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, watermelon imports reduced rapidly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports showed a noticeable contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 140% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

New Zealand represented the largest importer of watermelons in Australia and Oceania, with the volume of imports reaching X tons, which was near 54% of total imports in 2022. French Polynesia (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 20% share, followed by Marshall Islands (5.7%), Tonga (4.7%) and New Caledonia (4.7%). The following importers - Palau (X tons) and Papua New Guinea (X tons) - each amounted to a 6.7% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to watermelon imports into New Zealand stood at -10.3%. At the same time, Marshall Islands (+59.0%), Tonga (+57.3%), Palau (+32.4%), French Polynesia (+13.4%) and New Caledonia (+1.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Marshall Islands emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Australia and Oceania, with a CAGR of +59.0% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Papua New Guinea (-6.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of French Polynesia (+20 p.p.), Marshall Islands (+5.7 p.p.), Tonga (+4.7 p.p.), Palau (+3.3 p.p.) and New Caledonia (+2.3 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of New Zealand (-36.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, New Zealand ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported watermelons in Australia and Oceania, comprising 74% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by French Polynesia ($X), with a 10% share of total imports. It was followed by Tonga, with a 4.2% share.

In New Zealand, watermelon imports plunged by an average annual rate of -5.7% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: French Polynesia (+4.4% per year) and Tonga (+52.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Australia and Oceania amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -3.3% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.0%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the import price increased by 26%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then reduced modestly 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 New Zealand ($X per ton), while Marshall Islands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by New Zealand (+5.2%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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