Costa Rica: Watermelon Market 2025

Watermelon Market Size in Costa Rica

In 2022, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in the Costa Rican watermelon market, when its value increased by 302% to $X. In general, consumption, however, faced a drastic downturn. Watermelon consumption peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Watermelon Production in Costa Rica

In value terms, watermelon production shrank to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 39%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

In 2022, the average yield of watermelons in Costa Rica soared to X tons per ha, picking up by 15% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the yield, however, saw a noticeable reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 49% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average watermelon yield reached the maximum level at X tons per ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the 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.

The watermelon harvested area in Costa Rica stood at X ha in 2022, remaining stable against 2021 figures. Overall, the harvested area posted a notable expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 42% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to watermelon production attained the maximum at X ha in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Watermelon Exports

Exports from Costa Rica

In 2022, overseas shipments of watermelons increased by 5.8% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, total exports indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume 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. Based on 2022 figures, exports decreased by -14.3% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 41%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, watermelon exports contracted to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total exports indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its value 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. Based on 2022 figures, exports decreased by -9.3% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 38%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons) was the main destination for watermelon exports from Costa Rica, with a 50% share of total exports. Moreover, watermelon exports to the Netherlands exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the UK (X tons), threefold. The United States (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to the Netherlands stood at +3.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the UK (+0.5% per year) and the United States (+1.6% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the key foreign market for watermelons exports from Costa Rica, comprising 51% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the UK ($X), with a 20% share of total exports. It was followed by the United States, with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the Netherlands totaled +3.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the UK (+0.9% per year) and the United States (+1.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average watermelon export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, waning by -5.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 12% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then declined in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the United States ($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 Germany (+5.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Watermelon Imports

Imports into Costa Rica

After two years of growth, overseas purchases of watermelons decreased by -27.9% to X tons in 2022. Overall, imports showed a deep setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by 261%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, watermelon imports shrank significantly to $X in 2022. In general, imports faced a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 137%. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Nicaragua (X tons) was the main supplier of watermelon to Costa Rica, with a approx. 100% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Nicaragua was relatively modest.

In value terms, Nicaragua ($X) constituted the largest supplier of watermelons to Costa Rica.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Nicaragua was relatively modest.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average watermelon import price amounted to $X per ton, flattening at the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a pronounced downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the average import price increased by 16%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 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 Nicaragua.

From 2012 to 2022, the rate of growth in terms of prices for Honduras amounted to +5.3% per year.

Source: IndexBox Platform