Middle East: Melon Market 2025

Melon Market Size in the Middle East

In 2022, the Middle Eastern melon market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2016, thus ending a five-year declining trend. In general, consumption, however, showed a perceptible decrease. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Melon Production in the Middle East

In value terms, melon production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a noticeable descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 35%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Turkey (X tons) remains the largest melon producing country in the Middle East, accounting for 56% of total volume. Moreover, melon production in Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Iran (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Iraq (X tons), with a 6.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Turkey was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Iran (-8.4% per year) and Iraq (+1.7% per year).

The average melon yield totaled X tons per ha in 2022, approximately mirroring the year before. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 7.6% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the yield remained at a 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 melons production in the Middle East expanded to X ha, surging by 2.2% against the previous year's figure. Overall, the harvested area, however, showed a perceptible curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 4.7% 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 harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Melon Exports

Exports in the Middle East

After two years of growth, shipments abroad of melons decreased by -20.1% to X tons in 2022. In general, exports, however, saw pronounced growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 120% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, melon exports dropped to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, posted noticeable growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when exports increased by 100%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The biggest shipments were from Iran (X tons), Turkey (X tons) and Jordan (X tons), together resulting at 77% of total export. Oman (X tons) took a 9.2% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Yemen (7.4%). The following exporters - the United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) - together made up 5.1% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Iran (with a CAGR of +18.1%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest melon supplying countries in the Middle East were Jordan ($X), Turkey ($X) and Iran ($X), together comprising 79% of total exports.

Iran, with a CAGR of +15.9%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 10% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the export price increased by 27%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Yemen (+3.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Melon Imports

Imports in the Middle East

After two years of growth, overseas purchases of melons decreased by -3.2% to X tons in 2022. In general, imports, however, showed a tangible increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 120% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, melon imports stood at $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, enjoyed buoyant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 78% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Saudi Arabia represented the largest importer of melons in the Middle East, with the volume of imports finishing at X tons, which was approx. 36% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons), Qatar (X tons), Kuwait (X tons) and Bahrain (X tons), together generating a 57% share of total imports. The following importers - Turkey (X tons) and Oman (X tons) - each amounted to a 5.6% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Turkey (with a CAGR of +13.8%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), Saudi Arabia ($X) and Qatar ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 67% of total imports.

Qatar, with a CAGR of +18.8%, saw 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 the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 3.5% against the previous year. Import price indicated mild growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, melon import price increased by +59.4% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 30%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Oman (+9.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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