Global Melon Market: Volume to Reach 33M Tons and Value to Surpass $48.6B by 2030

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The demand for melons is on the rise worldwide, with market performance expected to accelerate. By 2030, the market volume is forecasted to reach 33M tons with a projected value of $48.6B. Anticipated CAGR rates indicate significant growth potential in the melon market.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for melons worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next seven-year period. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.9% for the period from 2023 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 +3.7% for the period from 2023 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $48.6B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Melons

In 2023, the amount of melons consumed worldwide was estimated at 29M tons, almost unchanged from the year before. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 3.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global consumption hit record highs at 29M tons in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2023, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global melon market revenue fell slightly to $37.7B in 2023, remaining constant 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 +1.2% over the period from 2013 to 2023; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. Over the period under review, the global market reached the peak level at $38B in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2023, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

China (14M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of melon consumption, comprising approx. 48% of total volume. Moreover, melon consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Turkey (1.6M tons), ninefold. India (1.5M tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 5.1% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China amounted to +2.3%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: Turkey (-0.6% per year) and India (+5.5% per year).

In value terms, China ($17.6B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by Turkey ($1.1B). It was followed by India.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China stood at +3.2%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Turkey (-1.6% per year) and India (+7.2% per year).

In 2023, the highest levels of melon per capita consumption was registered in Kazakhstan (67 kg per person), followed by Afghanistan (19 kg per person), Turkey (19 kg per person) and Morocco (12 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of melon was estimated at 3.6 kg per person.

In Kazakhstan, melon per capita consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the period from 2013-2023. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: Afghanistan (+13.2% per year) and Turkey (-1.8% per year).

Production

World Production of Melons

In 2023, the amount of melons produced worldwide reached 29M tons, therefore, remained relatively stable against the year before. In general, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 3.8% against the previous year. Global production peaked at 29M tons in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2023, production stood at a somewhat lower figure. 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 production shrank slightly to $33.2B in 2023 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2013 to 2023; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 36%. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at $33.7B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2023, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

China (14M tons) remains the largest melon producing country worldwide, 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 5.1% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China totaled +2.3%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Turkey (-0.5% per year) and India (+5.5% per year).

Yield

The global average melon yield declined modestly to 27 tons per ha in 2023, approximately equating 2022 figures. Over the period under review, the yield, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 5.2%. The global yield peaked at 27 tons per ha in 2022, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

Harvested Area

The global melon harvested area totaled 1.1M ha in 2023, almost unchanged from the year before. Overall, the harvested area, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 4.6% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of 1.1M ha; afterwards, it flattened through to 2023.

Imports

World Imports of Melons

After four years of decline, purchases abroad of melons increased by 1.3% to 2M tons in 2023. Overall, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 7.4%. Global imports peaked at 2.4M tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2023, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, melon imports stood at $1.9B in 2023. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

In 2023, the United States (518K tons) represented the major importer of melons, mixing up 26% of total imports. The Netherlands (175K tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with an 8.9% share, followed by Germany (7.1%), France (6.9%), Canada (6.7%), the UK (6%) and Spain (5.2%). The following importers - Iraq (66K tons), Russia (46K tons), Portugal (46K tons), Italy (35K tons) and Belgium (33K tons) - together made up 11% of total imports.

From 2013 to 2023, average annual rates of growth with regard to melon imports into the United States stood at -2.0%. At the same time, Russia (+18.6%), Spain (+4.5%), Iraq (+1.5%) and Germany (+1.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Russia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +18.6% from 2013-2023. Italy and the Netherlands experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Canada (-1.1%), Belgium (-1.4%), the UK (-2.1%), France (-2.4%) and Portugal (-2.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2013 to 2023, the share of Spain and Russia increased by +2 and +1.9 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($379M), the Netherlands ($207M) and Germany ($193M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2023, together accounting for 41% of global imports. France, the UK, Canada, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Iraq and Russia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 37%.

Russia, with a CAGR of +6.1%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2023, the average melon import price amounted to $972 per ton, growing by 10% against the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2023, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 when the average import price increased by 11%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure in 2023 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($1,557 per ton), while Russia ($353 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+3.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Melons

After three years of decline, overseas shipments of melons increased by 5.3% to 2.1M tons in 2023. In general, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 10%. The global exports peaked at 2.5M tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2023, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, melon exports expanded notably to $1.9B in 2023. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2013 to 2023; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

The shipments of the eight major exporters of melons, namely Guatemala, Spain, Brazil, Honduras, the United States, Mexico, the Netherlands and China, represented more than two-thirds of total export. The following exporters - Costa Rica (51K tons), Morocco (48K tons), Uzbekistan (48K tons), Iran (40K tons) and Italy (36K tons) - each finished at an 11% share of total exports.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Uzbekistan (with a CAGR of +9.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Spain ($339M), Brazil ($189M) and the Netherlands ($184M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2023, together accounting for 38% of global exports. Guatemala, Honduras, the United States, China, Mexico, Morocco, Italy, Costa Rica, Iran and Uzbekistan lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 49%.

Uzbekistan, with a CAGR of +29.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2023, the average melon export price amounted to $901 per ton, picking up by 6.2% against the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2023, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Morocco ($1,590 per ton), while Uzbekistan ($319 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Uzbekistan (+18.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform