Eastern Europe: Watermelon Market 2025

Watermelon Market Size in Eastern Europe

The East European watermelon market reduced to $X in 2022, which is down by -5.3% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Watermelon Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, watermelon production reduced slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a perceptible downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the production volume increased by 27%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Russia (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of watermelon production, accounting for 65% of total volume. Moreover, watermelon production in Russia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Ukraine (X tons), fourfold. Romania (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Russia totaled +1.8%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Ukraine (-4.8% per year) and Romania (-5.5% per year).

The average watermelon yield shrank slightly to X tons per ha in 2022, with a decrease of -4.6% compared with the previous year's figure. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the watermelon yield attained the peak level at X tons per ha in 2021, and then dropped modestly 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, approx. X ha of watermelons were harvested in Eastern Europe; with a decrease of -1.8% on the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area recorded a noticeable reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 5.4% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the watermelon harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Watermelon Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, approx. X tons of watermelons were exported in Eastern Europe; with a decrease of -8.3% against the previous year's figure. In general, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 33%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, watermelon exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

The shipments of the four major exporters of watermelons, namely Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Russia, represented more than two-thirds of total export. The Czech Republic (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with a 5.6% share, followed by Lithuania (5%). Poland (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Bulgaria (with a CAGR of +54.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Hungary ($X), Bulgaria ($X) and Romania ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 60% share of total exports.

Bulgaria, with a CAGR of +61.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 44% against the previous year. Export price indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, watermelon export price increased by +94.0% against 2016 indices. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Poland ($X per ton), while Romania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hungary (+5.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Watermelon Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in supplies from abroad of watermelons, when their volume decreased by -8.7% to X tons. Total imports indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +78.1% against 2012 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 16%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, watermelon imports rose sharply to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, recorded a remarkable increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 32%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Poland represented the main importer of watermelons in Eastern Europe, with the volume of imports recording X tons, which was near 30% of total imports in 2022. The Czech Republic (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Bulgaria (X tons), Slovakia (X tons), Russia (X tons), Romania (X tons) and Ukraine (X tons). All these countries together held near 54% share of total imports. Lithuania (X tons) took a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to watermelon imports into Poland stood at +6.2%. At the same time, Ukraine (+72.7%), Russia (+21.4%), Bulgaria (+9.1%), Romania (+7.3%) and Slovakia (+7.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Ukraine emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +72.7% from 2012-2022. Lithuania and the Czech Republic experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Ukraine (+6.7 p.p.), Russia (+6.2 p.p.) and Bulgaria (+2.3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Lithuania and the Czech Republic saw its share reduced by -3.5% and -12.4% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Poland ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported watermelons in Eastern Europe, comprising 34% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the Czech Republic ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Slovakia, with a 9.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Poland stood at +11.2%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Czech Republic (+4.0% per year) and Slovakia (+8.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 17% against the previous year. Import price indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, watermelon import price increased by +79.1% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 22% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Romania (+8.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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