Central Asia: Watermelon Market 2025

Watermelon Market Size in Central Asia

The Central Asian watermelon market shrank slightly to $X in 2022, waning by -2.7% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Watermelon Production in Central Asia

In value terms, watermelon production fell modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 50%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Kazakhstan (X tons), Uzbekistan (X tons) and Tajikistan (X tons), together comprising 87% of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Tajikistan (with a CAGR of +5.1%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average watermelon yield declined modestly to X tons per ha in 2022, flattening at the previous year's figure. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 9.2% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2017; however, from 2018 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.

The watermelon harvested area shrank to X ha in 2022, standing approx. at 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 2015 when the harvested area increased by 4.7%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to watermelon production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Watermelon Exports

Exports in Central Asia

In 2022, exports of watermelons in Central Asia skyrocketed to X tons, jumping by 85% against the previous year's figure. In general, exports posted a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 242%. The volume of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, watermelon exports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate significant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 227%. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Uzbekistan represented the major exporting country with an export of around X tons, which accounted for 77% of total exports. Kazakhstan (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 14% share, followed by Kyrgyzstan (8.3%).

Uzbekistan was also the fastest-growing in terms of the watermelons exports, with a CAGR of +161.2% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Kazakhstan (+35.4%) and Kyrgyzstan (+15.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. While the share of Uzbekistan (+77 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Kazakhstan (-8.9 p.p.) and Kyrgyzstan (-57.4 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Uzbekistan ($X) remains the largest watermelon supplier in Central Asia, comprising 78% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Kazakhstan ($X), with a 15% share of total exports.

In Uzbekistan, watermelon exports expanded at an average annual rate of +173.3% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Kazakhstan (+35.5% per year) and Kyrgyzstan (+18.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Central Asia stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by -14.5% against the previous year. Export price indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the export price increased by 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Uzbekistan ($X per ton), while Kyrgyzstan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Uzbekistan (+4.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Watermelon Imports

Imports in Central Asia

In 2022, approx. X tons of watermelons were imported in Central Asia; with an increase of 67% compared with the previous year. In general, imports saw a significant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 408% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, watermelon imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 459% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Kazakhstan was the largest importer of watermelons in Central Asia, with the volume of imports amounting to X tons, which was approx. 75% of total imports in 2022. Kyrgyzstan (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Mongolia (X tons). All these countries together held near 24% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to watermelon imports into Kazakhstan stood at +35.1%. At the same time, Kyrgyzstan (+124.1%) and Mongolia (+17.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Kyrgyzstan emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Central Asia, with a CAGR of +124.1% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan increased by +18 and +2.5 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Kazakhstan ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported watermelons in Central Asia, comprising 68% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Kyrgyzstan ($X), with a 24% share of total imports.

In Kazakhstan, watermelon imports expanded at an average annual rate of +36.6% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Kyrgyzstan (+100.5% per year) and Mongolia (+25.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Central Asia amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -6.6% against the previous year. Import price indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the import price increased by 34% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2022, the import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Kyrgyzstan ($X per ton), while Kazakhstan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mongolia (+6.9%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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