Greece: Watermelon Market 2024

Watermelon Market Size in Greece

The Greek watermelon market rose sharply to $X in 2022, growing by 5% against the previous year. Overall, consumption saw a abrupt curtailment. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Watermelon Production in Greece

In value terms, watermelon production amounted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a pronounced curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 94%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

In 2022, the average watermelon yield in Greece rose modestly to X tons per ha, with an increase of 2.4% compared with 2021 figures. Over the period under review, the yield indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, watermelon yield increased by +22.2% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the yield increased by 53%. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the average watermelon 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 Greece contracted to X ha in 2022, waning by -7.4% against the year before. In general, the harvested area saw a perceptible downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the harvested area increased by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to watermelon production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Watermelon Exports

Exports from Greece

In 2022, shipments abroad of watermelons decreased by -8.3% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year rising trend. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 25%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, watermelon exports rose notably to $X in 2022. In general, total exports indicated a tangible increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% 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 +19.3% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 34% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons), Poland (X tons) and Bulgaria (X tons) were the main destinations of watermelon exports from Greece, together accounting for 46% of total exports. Italy, Romania, Hungary, the UK, Serbia, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Croatia, Lithuania and the Czech Republic lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 44%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Lithuania (with a CAGR of +23.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for watermelon exported from Greece were Germany ($X), Poland ($X) and Italy ($X), with a combined 47% share of total exports.

Poland, with a CAGR of +21.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average watermelon export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 19% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.1%. As a result, the export 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 suppliers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Bulgaria ($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 Romania (+8.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Watermelon Imports

Imports into Greece

In 2022, supplies from abroad of watermelons was finally on the rise to reach X tons after three years of decline. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a slight setback. Imports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, watermelon imports soared to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, recorded a pronounced decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 128%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Bulgaria (X tons), Iran (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main suppliers of watermelon imports to Greece, with a combined 61% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Iran (with a CAGR of +33.3%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) constituted the largest supplier of watermelons to Greece, comprising 35% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Spain, with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from the Netherlands totaled -3.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (-7.9% per year) and Spain (+1.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average watermelon import price amounted to $X per ton, declining by -43.7% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a perceptible reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 54% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then declined notably in the following year.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+7.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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