Saudi Arabia: Watermelon Market 2025

Watermelon Market Size in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi watermelon market dropped to $X in 2022, declining by -12.1% against the previous year. Overall, the total consumption indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by +0.0% against 2020 indices. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Watermelon Production in Saudi Arabia

In value terms, watermelon production fell to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +6.7% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 38% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The average yield of watermelons in Saudi Arabia shrank to X tons per ha in 2022, which is down by -7.3% against the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% 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 2021 with an increase of 17%. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha, and then dropped in the following year. 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 Saudi Arabia dropped modestly to X ha, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. In general, the total harvested area indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, watermelon harvested area decreased by +1.0% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the harvested area increased by 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to watermelon production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Watermelon Exports

Exports from Saudi Arabia

After three years of growth, overseas shipments of watermelons decreased by -3.9% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed a significant contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 53%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, watermelon exports dropped to $X in 2022. Overall, exports recorded a dramatic decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 1,410%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons) was the main destination for watermelon exports from Saudi Arabia, accounting for a 89% share of total exports. Moreover, watermelon exports to Germany exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Mozambique (X tons), eightfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Germany was relatively modest.

In value terms, Germany ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for watermelons exports from Saudi Arabia, comprising 94% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Mozambique ($X), with a 6.5% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Germany was relatively modest.

Export Prices by Country

The average watermelon export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, flattening at the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a notable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 930%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Mozambique amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United Arab Emirates (+64.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Watermelon Imports

Imports into Saudi Arabia

Watermelon imports into Saudi Arabia expanded rapidly to X tons in 2021, picking up by 11% on the year before. In general, imports posted a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 280% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

In value terms, watermelon imports expanded rapidly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports saw a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 204% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

Jordan (X tons), Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) and Yemen (X tons) were the main suppliers of watermelon imports to Saudi Arabia, with a combined 84% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Syrian Arab Republic (with a CAGR of +91.9%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest watermelon suppliers to Saudi Arabia were Jordan ($X), Yemen ($X) and Syrian Arab Republic ($X), with a combined 82% share of total imports.

Syrian Arab Republic, with a CAGR of +91.5%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average watermelon import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, remaining constant against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded slight growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 an increase of 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Yemen (+4.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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