GCC: Watermelon Market 2025

Watermelon Market Size in GCC

The GCC watermelon market shrank to $X in 2022, which is down by -9.5% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -17.2% against 2019 indices. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Watermelon Production in GCC

In value terms, watermelon production reduced to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +6.9% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the production volume increased by 36%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Saudi Arabia (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of watermelon production, comprising approx. 93% of total volume. Moreover, watermelon production in Saudi Arabia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Oman (X tons), more than tenfold.

In Saudi Arabia, watermelon production expanded at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the period from 2012-2022.

In 2022, the average watermelon yield in GCC dropped to X tons per ha, which is down by -6.8% against the year before. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the yield increased by 16%. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha, and then contracted 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 total area harvested in terms of watermelons production in GCC declined slightly to X ha, therefore, remained relatively stable against the year before. The total harvested area indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% 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 increased by +1.5% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 30% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Watermelon Exports

Exports in GCC

Watermelon exports surged to X tons in 2022, jumping by 36% compared with the year before. In general, exports, however, recorded a abrupt curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 127% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, watermelon exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a abrupt curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 98%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Oman was the main exporting country with an export of around X tons, which finished at 69% of total exports. It was distantly followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons), mixing up a 27% share of total exports. Saudi Arabia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to watermelon exports from Oman stood at -2.6%. The United Arab Emirates experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Saudi Arabia (-43.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Oman and the United Arab Emirates increased by +55 and +22 percentage points, respectively.

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 comprising 97% of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, the United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +5.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, remaining stable against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded measured growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 an increase of 62% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2022, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, 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 (+6.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Watermelon Imports

Imports in GCC

In 2022, the amount of watermelons imported in GCC contracted significantly to X tons, reducing by -16.6% on 2021 figures. In general, imports, however, showed a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 82% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, watermelon imports contracted significantly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, recorded a buoyant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 48%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the four major importers of watermelons, namely Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, represented more than two-thirds of total import. It was distantly followed by Bahrain (X tons), creating a 14% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Oman (with a CAGR of +19.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest watermelon importing markets in GCC were Kuwait ($X), Bahrain ($X) and the United Arab Emirates ($X), together accounting for 71% of total imports. Qatar and Oman lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 29%.

Oman, with a CAGR of +18.7%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries 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 GCC stood at $X per ton in 2022, waning by -4.3% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 19%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Bahrain ($X per ton), while Oman ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bahrain (+9.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform