China: Melon Market 2025

Melon Market Size in China

The Chinese melon market declined slightly to $X in 2022, stabilizing at the previous year. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +56.4% against 2016 indices. Melon consumption peaked at $X in 2021, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

Melon Production in China

In value terms, melon production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, the total production indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.0% 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 -3.2% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 78% against the previous year. Melon production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

The average yield of melons in China declined to X tons per ha in 2022, leveling off at 2021. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the yield increased by 6.1% against the previous year. The melon yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2021, and then fell in the following year. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the melon harvested area in China reached X ha, stabilizing at the year before. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% 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 2018 when the harvested area increased by 9.1%. The melon harvested area peaked at X ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Melon Exports

Exports from China

In 2022, melon exports from China soared to X tons, jumping by 38% compared with 2021. In general, exports saw a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 82% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, melon exports surged to $X in 2022. Overall, exports posted a resilient expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 84% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Vietnam (X tons) was the main destination for melon exports from China, with a 58% share of total exports. Moreover, melon exports to Vietnam exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Malaysia (X tons), ninefold. Singapore (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 5.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Vietnam stood at +10.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Malaysia (-3.9% per year) and Singapore (+400.7% per year).

In value terms, Vietnam ($X) remains the key foreign market for melons exports from China, comprising 59% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Malaysia ($X), with a 5.2% share of total exports. It was followed by Singapore, with a 4.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Vietnam amounted to +13.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Malaysia (-7.2% per year) and Singapore (+357.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average melon export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, dropping by -3.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, melon export price decreased by -19.3% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average export price increased by 71% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Russia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Thailand ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Hong Kong SAR (+18.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Melon Imports

Imports into China

In 2022, overseas purchases of melons increased by 72% to X tons, rising for the fifth year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a dramatic decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 783%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, melon imports amounted to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, saw a precipitous shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 561%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Myanmar (X tons) was the main melon supplier to China, with a approx. 100% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Myanmar totaled -10.6%.

In value terms, Myanmar ($X) constituted the largest supplier of melons to China.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Myanmar amounted to -6.6%.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average melon import price amounted to $X per ton, declining by -41% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the average import price increased by 512% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

As there is only one major supplying country, the average price level is determined by prices for Myanmar.

From 2012 to 2022, the rate of growth in terms of prices for Taiwan (Chinese) amounted to +16.2% per year.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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