Melon Seed Market

The global melon seed market is set to grow steadily over the next eight years, with consumption volume and market value on the rise. Nigeria leads in both consumption and production of melon seed, while India is the top importer and China dominates exports. Market trends indicate consistent growth and shifting dynamics in key countries across the supply chain.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for melon seed 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 1.2M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $99.9B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Melon Seed

In 2022, consumption of melon seed was finally on the rise to reach 1M tons after three years of decline. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption reached the peak volume of 1.1M tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the global consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global melon seed market value contracted modestly to $69.3B in 2022, waning by -3.1% against 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 +3.4% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $84.3B. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the global market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

Nigeria (562K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of melon seed consumption, comprising approx. 55% of total volume. Moreover, melon seed consumption in Nigeria exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Sudan (78K tons), sevenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by India (73K tons), with a 7.2% share.

In Nigeria, melon seed consumption remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Sudan (+4.3% per year) and India (+39.1% per year).

In value terms, the largest melon seed markets worldwide were Sudan ($22.9B), Cameroon ($13.8B) and Nigeria ($11.9B), with a combined 70% share of the global market. Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, Central African Republic and India lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 12%.

India, with a CAGR of +47.1%, saw the highest growth rate of market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the highest levels of melon seed per capita consumption was registered in Central African Republic (7.6 kg per person), followed by Nigeria (2.6 kg per person), Mali (2 kg per person) and Sudan (1.7 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of melon seed was estimated at less than 0.1 kg per person.

In Central African Republic, melon seed per capita consumption remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: Nigeria (-1.9% per year) and Mali (+5.3% per year).

Production

World Production of Melon Seed

In 2022, global production of melon seed dropped to 960K tons, leveling off at 2021 figures. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 7.7% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak volume of 1M tons. From 2019 to 2022, global production growth failed to regain momentum. The general positive trend in terms output was largely conditioned by a relatively flat trend pattern of the harvested area and a relatively flat trend pattern in yield figures.

In value terms, melon seed production contracted modestly to $66.3B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, posted a resilient expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 75% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $112.8B. From 2017 to 2022, global production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

Nigeria (562K tons) remains the largest melon seed producing country worldwide, comprising approx. 59% of total volume. Moreover, melon seed production in Nigeria exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Sudan (78K tons), sevenfold. Democratic Republic of the Congo (64K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 6.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Nigeria was relatively modest. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Sudan (+4.3% per year) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (+0.3% per year).

Yield

The global average melon seed yield rose slightly to 528 kg per ha in 2022, with an increase of 1.9% against the year before. Overall, the yield recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the yield increased by 7.1% against the previous year. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of 535 kg per ha. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the average melon seed yield remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Harvested Area

In 2022, approx. 1.8M ha of melon seed were harvested worldwide; with a decrease of -2.1% on the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the harvested area increased by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to melon seed production reached the peak figure at 2.1M ha in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Imports

World Imports of Melon Seed

In 2022, global imports of melon seed surged to 82K tons, jumping by 268% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, imports showed a significant expansion. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs at 86K tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, melon seed imports soared to $377M in 2022. In general, imports enjoyed prominent growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 67% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports attained the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

The countries with the highest levels of melon seed imports in 2022 were India (74K tons), together recording 90% of total import.

India was also the fastest-growing in terms of the melon seed imports, with a CAGR of +69.2% from 2012 to 2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of India increased by +89 percentage points, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, India ($66M) constitutes the largest market for imported melon seed worldwide.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in India stood at +75.5%.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average melon seed import price amounted to $4,579 per ton, dropping by -67.6% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a drastic downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 171% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $14,146 per ton, and then reduced markedly in the following year.

As there is only one major supplying country, the average price level is determined by prices for India.

From 2012 to 2022, the rate of growth in terms of prices for India amounted to +3.7% per year.

Exports

World Exports of Melon Seed

In 2022, shipments abroad of melon seed was finally on the rise to reach 22K tons after three years of decline. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The global exports peaked at 23K tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, melon seed exports rose notably to $331M in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a strong increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 62% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the maximum at $353M in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports By Country

In 2022, China (14K tons) represented the main exporter of melon seed, comprising 63% of total exports. Turkey (3.7K tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 16% share, followed by India (6.2%). Pakistan (688 tons), Jordan (682 tons), the United States (408 tons) and the Netherlands (369 tons) took a little share of total exports.

Exports from China decreased at an average annual rate of -1.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Pakistan (+30.7%), Turkey (+29.1%), Jordan (+25.6%), the Netherlands (+20.1%), India (+14.3%) and the United States (+5.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Pakistan emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +30.7% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Turkey, India, Pakistan and Jordan increased by +15, +6.2, +2.8 and +2.7 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest melon seed supplying countries worldwide were the Netherlands ($74M), China ($68M) and the United States ($59M), with a combined 61% share of global exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, the United States, with a CAGR of +50.4%, 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 seed export price stood at $14,928 per ton in 2022, falling by -29.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, enjoyed a prominent expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the average export price increased by 64% against the previous year. The global export price peaked at $21,221 per ton in 2021, and then contracted notably in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($200,104 per ton), while Pakistan ($1,058 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+43.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform