Europe: Watermelon Market 2025

Watermelon Market Size in Europe

The Europe watermelon market expanded rapidly to $X in 2022, surging by 8% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Watermelon Production in Europe

In value terms, watermelon production contracted modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 18% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Russia (X tons), Spain (X tons) and Italy (X tons), together comprising 64% of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by Italy (with a CAGR of +4.4%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the average watermelon yield in Europe contracted to X tons per ha, declining by -3% compared with the year before. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the yield increased by 10% 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 contracted 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, the harvested area of watermelons in Europe reduced to X ha, which is down by -2.2% on 2021. In general, the harvested area continues to indicate a noticeable setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the harvested area increased by 4.6% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Watermelon Exports

Exports in Europe

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of watermelons, when their volume decreased by -13.2% to X tons. Total exports indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 14%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, watermelon exports expanded remarkably to $X in 2022. Total exports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +78.6% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 35%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Spain represented the key exporting country with an export of around X tons, which amounted to 44% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Italy (X tons), Greece (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and France (X tons), together achieving a 42% share of total exports. Albania (X tons) and Bulgaria (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to watermelon exports from Spain stood at +3.0%. At the same time, Bulgaria (+54.3%), France (+22.5%), Albania (+11.4%), the Netherlands (+4.8%), Italy (+3.8%) and Greece (+2.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Bulgaria emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Europe, with a CAGR of +54.3% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of France and Bulgaria increased by +4 and +1.6 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Spain ($X) remains the largest watermelon supplier in Europe, comprising 50% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Italy ($X), with a 16% share of total exports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with an 11% share.

In Spain, watermelon exports expanded at an average annual rate of +7.3% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Italy (+7.7% per year) and the Netherlands (+6.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 29% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.8%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while Albania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

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

Watermelon Imports

Imports in Europe

In 2022, overseas purchases of watermelons decreased by -1.9% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after nine years of growth. Total imports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -2.3% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

In value terms, watermelon imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, posted resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 33%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Germany (X tons), followed by France (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), Poland (X tons), the UK (X tons) and Spain (X tons) represented the key importers of watermelons, together constituting 63% of total imports. The following importers - the Czech Republic (X tons), Bulgaria (X tons), Slovakia (X tons), Italy (X tons), Portugal (X tons), Russia (X tons) and Romania (X tons) - together made up 17% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Spain (with a CAGR of +24.5%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), France ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 45% share of total imports. The UK, Spain, Poland, the Czech Republic, Italy, Slovakia, Portugal, Russia, Romania and Bulgaria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Spain, with a CAGR of +24.4%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 18% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.0%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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