Netherlands: Melon Market 2025

Melon Market Size in the Netherlands

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in the Dutch melon market, when its value decreased by -8.9% to $X. Over the period under review, consumption showed a pronounced shrinkage. Melon consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Melon Production in the Netherlands

In value terms, melon production reached $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 12% against the previous year. Melon production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

The average yield of melons in the Netherlands contracted to X tons per ha in 2022, approximately mirroring the previous year. Over the period under review, the yield saw a noticeable decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 1.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average melon yield reached the maximum level at X tons per ha in 2012; however, from 2013 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 Netherlands totaled X ha, therefore, remained relatively stable against 2021. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the harvested area increased by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to melon production attained the maximum at X ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Melon Exports

Exports from the Netherlands

In 2022, overseas shipments of melons decreased by -19.3% to X tons, falling for the third consecutive year after three years of growth. In general, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 14%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, melon exports shrank to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons) was the main destination for melon exports from the Netherlands, accounting for a 35% share of total exports. Moreover, melon exports to Germany exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Poland (X tons), fourfold. Belgium (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with an 8.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Germany totaled +2.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Poland (+13.7% per year) and Belgium (+3.8% per year).

In value terms, Germany ($X) remains the key foreign market for melons exports from the Netherlands, comprising 36% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Belgium ($X), with an 8.7% share of total exports. It was followed by Denmark, with a 6.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Germany totaled +4.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Belgium (+4.2% per year) and Denmark (+2.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average melon export price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 13% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.5%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the average export price increased by 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Poland ($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 the UK (+4.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Melon Imports

Imports into the Netherlands

In 2022, approx. X tons of melons were imported into the Netherlands; shrinking by -19.3% against 2021 figures. In general, imports continue to indicate a slight decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 13% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, melon imports dropped to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Brazil (X tons) constituted the largest melon supplier to the Netherlands, accounting for a 47% share of total imports. Moreover, melon imports from Brazil exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Spain (X tons), twofold. Honduras (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Brazil stood at +1.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Spain (-3.4% per year) and Honduras (+0.9% per year).

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constituted the largest supplier of melons to the Netherlands, comprising 42% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Spain ($X), with a 21% share of total imports. It was followed by Honduras, with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Brazil stood at +2.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Spain (+0.3% per year) and Honduras (+1.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average melon import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 14% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the price for Brazil ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+3.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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