Latin America and the Caribbean: Watermelon Market 2025

Watermelon Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American watermelon market fell slightly to $X in 2022, which is down by -1.7% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, saw mild growth. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Watermelon Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, watermelon production reduced slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Brazil (X tons), Mexico (X tons) and the Dominican Republic (X tons), with a combined 72% share of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the Dominican Republic (with a CAGR of +78.6%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average watermelon yield contracted modestly to X tons per ha in 2022, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 6.6% against the previous year. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the 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.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of watermelons production in Latin America and the Caribbean reached X ha, picking up by 1.7% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the harvested area showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 7.8%. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Watermelon Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

After two years of decline, overseas shipments of watermelons increased by 14% to X tons in 2022. In general, exports recorded modest growth. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, watermelon exports soared to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Mexico (X tons) represented the largest exporter of watermelons, generating 48% of total exports. Guatemala (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with an 18% share, followed by Brazil (13%), Honduras (7.3%) and Costa Rica (7.2%). Panama (X tons) and Peru (X tons) took a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to watermelon exports from Mexico stood at -3.4%. At the same time, Peru (+15.2%), Brazil (+12.2%), Guatemala (+8.7%), Honduras (+6.4%) and Costa Rica (+2.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Peru emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +15.2% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Panama (-2.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Guatemala, Brazil, Panama, Honduras and Peru increased by +9.2, +8.3, +4.1, +3 and +1.8 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) remains the largest watermelon supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 51% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Brazil ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by Guatemala, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Mexico amounted to -3.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Brazil (+13.0% per year) and Guatemala (+13.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 17% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Honduras ($X per ton), while Peru ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Honduras (+8.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Watermelon Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, overseas purchases of watermelons decreased by -12.6% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 60%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, watermelon imports declined to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% 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 -16.8% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 51%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

El Salvador was the main importing country with an import of around X tons, which finished at 52% of total imports. Chile (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 14% share, followed by Ecuador (13%), Argentina (7.5%) and Paraguay (5.1%). The following importers - Guatemala (X tons) and Nicaragua (X tons) - each reached a 3.6% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to watermelon imports into El Salvador stood at +1.4%. At the same time, Argentina (+73.6%), Paraguay (+32.5%) and Chile (+11.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Argentina emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +73.6% from 2012-2022. Nicaragua experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Ecuador (-3.3%) and Guatemala (-5.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Chile (+7.5 p.p.), Argentina (+7.5 p.p.) and Paraguay (+4.7 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Guatemala (-2 p.p.), El Salvador (-6.1 p.p.) and Ecuador (-10.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest watermelon importing markets in Latin America and the Caribbean were El Salvador ($X), Ecuador ($X) and Argentina ($X), with a combined 63% share of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Argentina, with a CAGR of +86.5%, 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

In 2022, the import price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, declining by -2.1% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.2%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (+7.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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