Kenya: Melon Seed Market 2024

Melon Seed Market Size in Kenya

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in the Kenyan melon seed market, when its value decreased by -5.6% to $X. Overall, consumption, however, saw a significant increase. Melon seed consumption peaked at $X in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

Melon Seed Exports

Exports from Kenya

In 2022, shipments abroad of melon seed decreased by -6% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after nine years of growth. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate significant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 166%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, melon seed exports contracted to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, showed significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 133% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), Uganda (X tons) and Rwanda (X kg) were the main destinations of melon seed exports from Kenya, together accounting for 65% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Rwanda (with a CAGR of +54.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for melon seed exports from Kenya, comprising 37% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Uganda ($X), with a 16% share of total exports. It was followed by France, with a 4.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the Netherlands stood at +35.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Uganda (+40.8% per year) and France (+97.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average melon seed export price amounted to $X per ton, falling by -2.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a temperate expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average export price increased by 83%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Rwanda ($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 France (+29.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Melon Seed Imports

Imports into Kenya

In 2022, purchases abroad of melon seed decreased by -8.6% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, imports, however, posted a significant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 224% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, melon seed imports declined modestly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, recorded a significant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 244%. Imports peaked at $X in 2021, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, India (X tons) was the main supplier of melon seed to Kenya, accounting for a 91% share of total imports. Moreover, melon seed imports from India exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the United States (X tons), more than tenfold. The Netherlands (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 3.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from India stood at +47.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (+3.0% per year) and the Netherlands (+38.0% per year).

In value terms, India ($X) constituted the largest supplier of melon seed to Kenya, comprising 89% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the Netherlands ($X), with a 7.5% share of total imports. It was followed by the United States, with a 1.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from India stood at +56.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Netherlands (+24.8% per year) and the United States (+5.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average melon seed import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 5.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated a pronounced increase 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, melon seed import price decreased by -20.9% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the average import price increased by 53% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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 ($X per ton), while the price for South Africa ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+6.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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