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

The Latin American melon market reached $1.4B in 2019, with an increase of 6.4% 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 +1.8% over the period from 2007 to 2019; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The level of consumption peaked in 2019 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Consumption by Country

The countries with the highest volumes of melon consumption in 2019 were Mexico (516K tonnes), Brazil (338K tonnes) and Guatemala (327K tonnes), with a combined 63% share of total consumption. These countries were followed by Venezuela, Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Costa Rica, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Honduras and Paraguay, which together accounted for a further 33%.

From 2007 to 2019, the biggest increases were in Colombia, while melon consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Mexico ($404M), Brazil ($217M) and Colombia ($159M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2019, with a combined 54% share of the total market.

In 2019, the highest levels of melon per capita consumption was registered in Guatemala (19 kg per person), followed by Costa Rica (8.20 kg per person), Venezuela (6.23 kg per person) and Paraguay (4.59 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of melon was estimated at 2.82 kg per person.

Market Forecast 2019-2030

Driven by increasing demand for melon in Latin America and the Caribbean, 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 2019 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 2.1M tonnes by the end of 2030.

Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2019, approx. 2.9M tonnes of melons were produced in Latin America and the Caribbean; stabilizing at 2018. In general, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 5.5% y-o-y. Over the period under review, production hit record highs in 2019 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term. 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.

Production by Country

The countries with the highest volumes of melon production in 2019 were Guatemala (633K tonnes), Mexico (600K tonnes) and Brazil (590K tonnes), together accounting for 63% of total production. Honduras, Venezuela, Costa Rica and Argentina lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 26%.

From 2007 to 2019, the biggest increases were in Honduras, while melon production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Harvested Area in Latin America and the Caribbean

The melon harvested area reached 130K ha in 2019, approximately mirroring 2018 figures. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 when the harvested area increased by 5.7% y-o-y. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to melon production reached the peak figure at 136K ha in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2019, the harvested area failed to regain the momentum.

Yield in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2019, the average melon yield in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to 22 tonne per ha, approximately reflecting 2018 figures. Overall, the yield recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2009 when the yield increased by 7.8% year-to-year. The level of yield peaked at 23 tonne per ha in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2019, the yield remained at a lower figure.

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2019, the amount of melons exported in Latin America and the Caribbean dropped to 1.1M tonnes, which is down by -5.2% compared with the year before. In general, exports continue to indicate a mild downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 17% year-to-year. The volume of export peaked at 1.3M tonnes in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2019, exports failed to regain the momentum.

In value terms, melon exports declined to $692M (IndexBox estimates) in 2019. Overall, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2011 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $811M in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2019, exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Guatemala (306K tonnes), Honduras (264K tonnes) and Brazil (252K tonnes) represented roughly 77% of total exports of melons in 2019. Costa Rica (126K tonnes) ranks next in terms of the total exports with a 12% share, followed by Mexico (10%).

From 2007 to 2019, the biggest increases were in Honduras, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, the largest melon supplying countries in Latin America and the Caribbean were Honduras ($206M), Brazil ($160M) and Guatemala ($131M), with a combined 72% share of total exports.

Honduras saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2019, the melon export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $652 per tonne, declining by -2.9% against the previous year. Over the period from 2007 to 2019, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the export price increased by 26% year-to-year. As a result, export price attained the peak level of $848 per tonne. From 2018 to 2019, the growth in terms of the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin; the country with the highest price was Mexico ($810 per tonne), while Guatemala ($428 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Honduras, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform