Melon Market

The global melon market is projected to see positive growth in consumption, production, and trade from 2022 to 2030, with China leading the market in both volume and value. Consumption trends have shown slight fluctuations in recent years, with increasing per capita consumption in select countries. Production has seen modest growth, with China leading in both volume and value terms. Imports and exports have shown some fluctuations, with Spain and Guatemala being the main exporters. Overall, the market is expected to continue on an upward trend in the coming years.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for melons worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 33M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $48.1B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Melons

In 2022, consumption of melons decreased by -0.9% to 29M tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the consumption volume increased by 3.7%. Over the period under review, global consumption attained the maximum volume at 29M tons in 2021, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

The global melon market size was estimated at $37.7B in 2022, flattening at the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Global consumption peaked at $37.9B in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

China (14M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of melon consumption, comprising approx. 49% of total volume. Moreover, melon consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Turkey (1.6M tons), ninefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by India (1.5M tons), with a 5.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China amounted to +2.9%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: Turkey (-0.7% per year) and India (+6.6% per year).

In value terms, China ($18B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by Turkey ($1.1B). It was followed by India.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China stood at +5.2%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: Turkey (+1.0% per year) and India (+8.9% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of melon per capita consumption was registered in Kazakhstan (64 kg per person), followed by Afghanistan (20 kg per person), Turkey (18 kg per person) and Morocco (12 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of melon was estimated at 3.7 kg per person.

In Kazakhstan, melon per capita consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: Afghanistan (+10.8% per year) and Turkey (-2.0% per year).

Production

World Production of Melons

In 2022, production of melons decreased by -0.6% to 29M tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, production, however, saw modest growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 3.8%. Over the period under review, global production attained the maximum volume at 29M tons in 2021, and then shrank slightly in the following year. The general positive trend in terms output was largely conditioned by a slight expansion of the harvested area and mild growth in yield figures.

In value terms, melon production amounted to $33B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 36% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production attained the maximum level at $33.5B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

China (14M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of melon production, comprising approx. 49% of total volume. Moreover, melon production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Turkey (1.6M tons), ninefold. India (1.5M tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 5.2% share.

In China, melon production increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Turkey (-0.6% per year) and India (+6.6% per year).

Yield

The global average melon yield totaled 27 tons per ha in 2022, almost unchanged from the previous year's figure. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the yield increased by 5.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average melon yield hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Harvested Area

In 2022, the global harvested area of melons declined slightly to 1.1M ha, approximately mirroring the year before. Over the period under review, the harvested area showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 4.6%. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of 1.1M ha; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Imports

World Imports of Melons

In 2022, supplies from abroad of melons decreased by -8.2% to 1.9M tons, falling for the fourth year in a row after seven years of growth. Over the period under review, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by 7.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs at 2.4M tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, melon imports rose to $1.7B in 2022. Overall, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 10%. Global imports peaked at $1.9B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports By Country

The United States was the main importing country with an import of about 553K tons, which resulted at 28% of total imports. The Netherlands (178K tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 9.1% share, followed by Germany (7.3%), the UK (7.1%), France (7.1%) and Canada (6.3%). The following importers - Spain (80K tons), Iraq (70K tons), Portugal (46K tons) and Belgium (35K tons) - together made up 12% of total imports.

The United States experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of melons. At the same time, Iraq (+3.7%), Spain (+1.9%) and Germany (+1.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Iraq emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +3.7% from 2012-2022. The Netherlands and the UK experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Portugal (-1.4%), Canada (-1.4%), France (-1.6%) and Belgium (-2.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The shares of the largest importers remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest melon importing markets worldwide were the United States ($302M), the Netherlands ($187M) and Germany ($177M), with a combined 39% share of global imports.

Among the main importing countries, Germany, with a CAGR of +2.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average melon import price amounted to $880 per ton, growing by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. 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 destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($1,395 per ton), while Iraq ($382 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Portugal (+2.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Melons

In 2022, global exports of melons dropped slightly to 2M tons, with a decrease of -4.2% on the previous year's figure. In general, exports showed a slight downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 10%. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the peak figure at 2.5M tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, melon exports reached $1.7B in 2022. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 7.9%. The global exports peaked at $1.8B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports By Country

In 2022, Spain (343K tons) and Guatemala (342K tons) were the main exporters of melonsin the world, together making up 35% of total exports. Brazil (222K tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with an 11% share, followed by Honduras (9.2%), the United States (7%), the Netherlands (6.6%), Mexico (6.1%) and China (4.9%). The following exporters - Uzbekistan (55K tons), Costa Rica (51K tons), Morocco (45K tons), Italy (39K tons) and France (34K tons) - together made up 11% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Uzbekistan (with a CAGR of +14.8%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Spain ($320M), the Netherlands ($179M) and Brazil ($156M) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 39% share of global exports. Honduras, Guatemala, the United States, China, Mexico, Morocco, France, Italy, Costa Rica and Uzbekistan lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 51%.

Among the main exporting countries, Uzbekistan, with a CAGR of +42.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average melon export price stood at $846 per ton in 2022, growing by 5.9% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.1%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average export price increased by 9.3%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($1,619 per ton), while Uzbekistan ($347 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Uzbekistan (+24.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform