SADC: Watermelon Market 2024

Watermelon Market Size in SADC

The SADC watermelon market fell to $X in 2022, which is down by -8.4% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +10.0% against 2020 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Watermelon Production in SADC

In value terms, watermelon production dropped to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a moderate expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 81% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were South Africa (X tons), Tanzania (X tons) and Botswana (X tons), with a combined 95% share of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Botswana (with a CAGR of +12.2%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the average yield of watermelons in SADC amounted to X tons per ha, flattening at the previous year. Overall, the yield recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 4.7% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2019; however, from 2020 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, approx. X ha of watermelons were harvested in SADC; with a decrease of -9.1% compared with the year before. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 22%. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha, and then shrank in the following year.

Watermelon Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, the amount of watermelons exported in SADC reduced markedly to X tons, declining by -29.7% against the previous year. In general, exports, however, posted a slight increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 57%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, watermelon exports contracted significantly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports saw a abrupt descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 98% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Africa represented the main exporting country with an export of about X tons, which finished at 63% of total exports. Tanzania (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 24% share, followed by Namibia (11%).

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to watermelon exports from South Africa stood at +1.3%. At the same time, Tanzania (+43.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Tanzania emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +43.6% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Namibia (-10.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Tanzania (+23 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Namibia saw its share reduced by -25% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) emerged as the largest watermelon supplier in SADC, comprising 87% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Namibia ($X), with a 7.4% share of total exports.

In South Africa, watermelon exports shrank by an average annual rate of -4.9% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Namibia (-10.7% per year) and Tanzania (+30.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 19% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a deep setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the export price increased by 47% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 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 South Africa ($X per ton), while Tanzania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Namibia (-0.6%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Watermelon Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2022, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in purchases abroad of watermelons, when their volume increased by 35% to X tons. Total imports indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 42%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, watermelon imports surged to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +87.3% against 2020 indices. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Imports by Country

In 2022, South Africa (X tons) represented the main importer of watermelons, generating 49% of total imports. Lesotho (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 16% share, followed by Swaziland (14%), Seychelles (6%) and Mauritius (4.9%). The following importers - Mozambique (X tons) and Malawi (X tons) - each recorded a 6.2% share of total imports.

Imports into South Africa increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Malawi (+23.6%), Swaziland (+13.5%), Seychelles (+12.7%), Mozambique (+9.2%) and Lesotho (+5.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Malawi emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +23.6% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Mauritius (-4.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Swaziland (+9 p.p.), Lesotho (+4.2 p.p.), Seychelles (+3.8 p.p.), South Africa (+2.8 p.p.), Malawi (+2.4 p.p.) and Mozambique (+1.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Mauritius saw its share reduced by -4.8% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported watermelons in SADC, comprising 48% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mauritius ($X), with a 17% share of total imports. It was followed by Seychelles, with a 9.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in South Africa stood at +6.7%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Mauritius (-3.0% per year) and Seychelles (+7.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, jumping by 34% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 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 Mauritius ($X per ton), while Swaziland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mozambique (+6.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform