GCC: Melon Seed Market 2024

Melon Seed Market Size in GCC

In 2022, the GCC melon seed market increased by 50% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. Overall, consumption recorded a significant expansion. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Melon Seed Production in GCC

In value terms, melon seed production contracted modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a mild decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 35%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Saudi Arabia (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of melon seed production, accounting for 100% of total volume.

In Saudi Arabia, melon seed production increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period from 2012-2022.

Melon Seed Exports

Exports in GCC

In 2022, melon seed exports in GCC soared to X tons, rising by 103% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 181% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, melon seed exports soared to $X in 2022. In general, exports enjoyed noticeable growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 278%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Oman represented the key exporter of melon seed in GCC, with the volume of exports amounting to X tons, which was approx. 58% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Bahrain (X tons), together making up a 36% share of total exports. The following exporters - Kuwait (X kg) and Saudi Arabia (X kg) - together made up 6.3% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to melon seed exports from Oman stood at +15.4%. At the same time, Bahrain (+150.7%), Kuwait (+23.3%), Saudi Arabia (+22.4%) and the United Arab Emirates (+8.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Bahrain emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in GCC, with a CAGR of +150.7% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia increased by +14, +2.2 and +2 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Oman ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Saudi Arabia ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 96% of total exports. Kuwait and Bahrain lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 4.2%.

Bahrain, with a CAGR of +112.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

In 2022, the export price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, waning by -26.7% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the export price increased by 239%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2022, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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 Saudi Arabia ($X per ton), while Bahrain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (+11.9%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Melon Seed Imports

Imports in GCC

For the third year in a row, GCC recorded growth in supplies from abroad of melon seed, which increased by 64% to X tons in 2022. Overall, imports saw a significant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 230% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, melon seed imports dropped to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports showed significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 345%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Oman (X tons) represented the main importer of melon seed, constituting 72% of total imports. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Bahrain (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 23% share of total imports. Qatar (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to melon seed imports into Oman stood at +32.7%. At the same time, Qatar (+94.8%), Bahrain (+42.1%) and the United Arab Emirates (+21.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Qatar emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in GCC, with a CAGR of +94.8% from 2012-2022. Bahrain (+9.4 p.p.), Oman (+4.8 p.p.) and Qatar (+4.4 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while the United Arab Emirates saw its share reduced by -18.5% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported melon seed in GCC, comprising 64% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Oman ($X), with a 23% share of total imports. It was followed by Qatar, with a 3.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the United Arab Emirates amounted to +37.8%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Oman (+21.7% per year) and Qatar (+23.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -45.8% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the import price increased by 377% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2022, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+13.9%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform