IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘World – Melons – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

The global melon market revenue amounted to $27.4B in 2018, increasing by 2.2% 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 +2.1% over the period from 2007 to 2018; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the global melon market attained its peak figure level in 2018 and is expected to retain its growth in the near future.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of melon consumption was China (17M tonnes), comprising approx. 53% of total volume. Moreover, melon consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Turkey (1.8M tonnes), tenfold. Iran (1.6M tonnes) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 4.8% share.

In China, melon consumption increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2007-2018. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Turkey (+0.9% per year) and Iran (-2.3% per year).

In value terms, China ($15.1B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Turkey ($1.3B). It was followed by Egypt.

In 2018, the highest levels of melon per capita consumption was registered in Kazakhstan (50 kg per person), followed by Turkey (22 kg per person), Iran (19 kg per person) and Morocco (15 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of melon was estimated at 4.25 kg per person.

Market Forecast 2019-2025

Driven by increasing demand for melon worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.9% for the period from 2018 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 36M tonnes by the end of 2030.

Production 2007-2018

Global melon production totaled 33M tonnes in 2018, going up by 1.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, melon production continues to indicate a modest growth. The general positive trend in terms of melon output was largely conditioned by a modest expansion of the harvested area and a mild increase in yield figures.

Production By Country

China (17M tonnes) constituted the country with the largest volume of melon production, comprising approx. 53% of total volume. Moreover, melon production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Turkey (1.8M tonnes), tenfold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Iran (1.6M tonnes), with a 4.7% share.

In China, melon production expanded at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2007-2018. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Turkey (+0.9% per year) and Iran (-2.3% per year).

Harvested Area 2007-2018

In 2018, the global melon harvested area amounted to 1.2M ha, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Overall, the melon harvested area, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern.

Yield 2007-2018

In 2018, the global average yield of melons amounted to 27 tonne per ha, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2007 to 2018; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed over the period under review.

Exports 2007-2018

In 2018, the global exports of melons stood at 2.3M tonnes, rising by 8.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, melon exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 8.6% y-o-y. In that year, global melon exports reached their peak and are likely to continue its growth in the immediate term. In value terms, melon exports stood at $1.9B (IndexBox estimates) in 2018.

Exports by Country

In 2018, Spain (405K tonnes) and Guatemala (397K tonnes) were the largest exporters of melonsin the world, together accounting for approx. 34% of total exports. Honduras (254K tonnes) occupied an 11% share (based on tonnes) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Brazil (10%), the U.S. (8.7%), the Netherlands (6.8%), Costa Rica (5.7%) and Mexico (5.7%).

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of exports, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by the Netherlands, while exports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest melon supplying countries worldwide were Spain ($361M), Guatemala ($236M) and Honduras ($189M), with a combined 42% share of global exports.

Export Prices by Country

The average melon export price stood at $800 per tonne in 2018, lowering by -4.4% against the previous year. Over the period from 2007 to 2018, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average export price increased by 12% year-to-year. In that year, the average export prices for melons reached their peak level of $838 per tonne, and then declined slightly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2018, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($1,155 per tonne), while Guatemala ($594 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Costa Rica, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports 2007-2018

In 2018, the amount of melons imported worldwide amounted to 2.1M tonnes, stabilizing at the previous year. Overall, melon imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. In value terms, melon imports stood at $1.8B (IndexBox estimates) in 2018.

Imports by Country

The U.S. represented the main importer of melons imported in the world, with the volume of imports recording 655K tonnes, which was approx. 30% of total imports in 2018. The Netherlands (205K tonnes) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 9.5% share, followed by France (8.5%), the UK (8%), Canada (7.4%) and Germany (6.2%). Spain (86K tonnes), Portugal (62K tonnes), Belgium (40K tonnes), Switzerland (33K tonnes), Italy (33K tonnes) and Mexico (33K tonnes) occupied minor shares of total imports.

The U.S. experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of melons imports. At the same time, Mexico (+7.1%), Switzerland (+3.2%), France (+2.7%), Spain (+2.3%), the Netherlands (+1.8%) and Portugal (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mexico emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +7.1% from 2007-2018. Italy and Canada experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Germany (-1.3%), the UK (-1.9%) and Belgium (-2.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period.

In value terms, the U.S. ($403M) constitutes the largest market for imported melons worldwide, comprising 22% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by France ($197M), with a 11% share of global imports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 10% share.

Import Prices by Country

The average melon import price stood at $857 per tonne in 2018, picking up by 5.5% against the previous year. Over the last eleven years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest price was Belgium ($1,461 per tonne), while the U.S. ($615 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform