Colombia: Watermelon Market 2025

Watermelon Market Size in Colombia

The Colombian watermelon market contracted to $X in 2022, which is down by -4.6% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, saw a buoyant expansion. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Watermelon Production in Colombia

In value terms, watermelon production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, posted resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 111% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

In 2022, the average watermelon yield in Colombia amounted to X tons per ha, leveling off at the previous year's figure. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 23%. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the average watermelon yield failed to regain momentum. 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 Colombia reduced modestly to X ha, with a decrease of -1.7% compared with 2021. Over the period under review, the total harvested area indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, watermelon harvested area decreased by -7.4% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the harvested area increased by 53% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the watermelon harvested area remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Watermelon Exports

Exports from Colombia

In 2022, shipments abroad of watermelons decreased by -5.2% to X tons for the first time since 2016, thus ending a five-year rising trend. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 1,232%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, watermelon exports dropped modestly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, posted a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 1,180%. The exports peaked at $X in 2021, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

Exports by Country

Aruba (X tons) was the main destination for watermelon exports from Colombia, accounting for a 97% share of total exports. It was followed by Cuba (X tons), with a 1.1% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Aruba amounted to +52.3%.

In value terms, Aruba ($X) remains the key foreign market for watermelons exports from Colombia, comprising 94% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Cuba ($X), with a 2.6% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Aruba stood at +63.4%.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average watermelon export price amounted to $X per ton, standing approx. at the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a slight contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average export price increased by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Cuba ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Aruba amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Aruba (+7.2%).

Watermelon Imports

Imports into Colombia

In 2022, the amount of watermelons imported into Colombia amounted to X tons, with an increase of 3.4% compared with the year before. Overall, imports, however, recorded a abrupt decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 351%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, watermelon imports declined to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports saw noticeable growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 549% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Costa Rica (X tons) constituted the largest watermelon supplier to Colombia, with a 89% share of total imports. Moreover, watermelon imports from Costa Rica exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Nicaragua (X kg), ninefold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Costa Rica totaled +3.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Nicaragua (-6.1% per year) and the Dominican Republic (-27.0% per year).

In value terms, Costa Rica ($X) constituted the largest supplier of watermelons to Colombia, comprising 90% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Nicaragua ($X), with a 7.2% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Costa Rica totaled +10.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Nicaragua (-1.9% per year) and the Dominican Republic (-26.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average watermelon import price amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -3.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, posted a strong expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 an increase of 47% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Dominican Republic ($X per ton), while the price for Nicaragua ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Costa Rica (+7.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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