Middle East: Melon Seed Market 2025

Melon Seed Market Size in the Middle East

The Middle Eastern melon seed market dropped modestly to $X in 2022, waning by -2.7% against the previous year. In general, consumption saw a pronounced shrinkage. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Melon Seed Production in the Middle East

In value terms, melon seed production declined slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a pronounced decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 65% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Iran (X tons) remains the largest melon seed producing country in the Middle East, comprising approx. 86% of total volume. Moreover, melon seed production in Iran exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Turkey (X tons), sixfold.

In Iran, melon seed production declined by an average annual rate of -1.6% over the period from 2012-2022.

The average melon seed yield was estimated at X kg per ha in 2022, growing by 2.7% against the year before. Over the period under review, the yield, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the yield increased by 8.9% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at X kg per ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure. 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 melon seed production in the Middle East reduced to X ha, remaining stable against 2021 figures. Overall, the harvested area recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 42% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the melon seed harvested area remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Melon Seed Exports

Exports in the Middle East

Melon seed exports expanded markedly to X tons in 2022, increasing by 7.9% against 2021 figures. In general, exports recorded a significant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 117%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, melon seed exports declined to $X in 2022. Total exports indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports decreased by -9.6% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 47%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Turkey (X tons) was the largest exporter of melon seed, comprising 87% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Jordan (X tons), creating an 11% share of total exports.

Turkey was also the fastest-growing in terms of the melon seed exports, with a CAGR of +43.8% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Jordan (+21.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Turkey (+35 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Jordan saw its share reduced by -25.3% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest melon seed supplier in the Middle East, comprising 51% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Jordan ($X), with a 9.5% share of total exports.

In Turkey, melon seed exports increased at an average annual rate of +9.6% over the period from 2012-2022.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by -15.1% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a precipitous slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 5.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Jordan ($X per ton), while Turkey totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Jordan (-4.6%).

Melon Seed Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2022, imports of melon seed in the Middle East contracted dramatically to X tons, declining by -31.1% compared with 2021. Overall, imports recorded a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 43% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, melon seed imports expanded sharply to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, recorded resilient growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 78%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Jordan (X tons), distantly followed by Iraq (X tons), Syrian Arab Republic (X tons), Lebanon (X tons) and Oman (X tons) represented the key importers of melon seed, together constituting 84% of total imports. Palestine (X tons), Iran (X tons) and Turkey (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Syrian Arab Republic (with a CAGR of +56.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Iran ($X), Iraq ($X) and Turkey ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 66% share of total imports. Syrian Arab Republic, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon and Oman lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 24%.

Among the main importing countries, Palestine, with a CAGR of +39.4%, 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

The import price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 55% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded resilient growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the import price increased by 110% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Jordan (+18.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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