Vegetable and Melon Market

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the global vegetable and melon market, covering consumption, production, exports, and imports. Key findings include a forecasted increase in market volume and value, with notable trends in major consuming and producing countries. Products with the highest consumption and production volumes are highlighted, along with average prices and export/import trends. The article serves as a valuable resource for understanding the current state and projected growth of the global vegetable and melon market.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for vegetables and melons worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1,870M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of -0.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $1,985.5B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Vegetable and Melon

In 2022, the amount of vegetables and melons consumed worldwide stood at 1,593M tons, approximately equating the previous year. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. Over the period under review, global consumption attained the peak volume at 1,599M tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global vegetable and melon market size totaled $2,141.6B in 2022, almost unchanged from 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 +3.1% 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 $2,259.8B. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the global market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of vegetable and melon consumption was China (741M tons), comprising approx. 47% of total volume. Moreover, vegetable and melon consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, India (179M tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the United States (52M tons), with a 3.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China amounted to +1.3%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: India (+2.2% per year) and the United States (-0.9% per year).

In value terms, China ($702.2B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by India ($84.2B). It was followed by the United States.

In China, the vegetable and melon market expanded at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: India (+3.4% per year) and the United States (-0.1% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of vegetable and melon per capita consumption in 2022 were Ukraine (688 kg per person), China (522 kg per person) and Turkey (401 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for India (with a CAGR of +1.2%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the per capita consumption figures.

Consumption By Type

The products with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were potatoes (370M tons), fresh vegetables, nes (301M tons) and tomatoes (186M tons), with a combined 53% share of global consumption. Onion and shallot, watermelons, cucumbers and gherkins, cabbage and other brassicas, eggplants (aubergines), mushrooms and truffles, carrots and turnips, chilies and peppers (green), spinach, garlic, melons, lettuce and chicory, cauliflower and broccoli, green beans, peas (green), asparagus and leeks and other alliaceous vegetables lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 47%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consumed products, was attained by mushrooms and truffles (with a CAGR of +4.6%), while consumption for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest types of vegetables and melons in terms of market size were fresh vegetables, nes ($316.3B), tomatoes ($211.4B) and potatoes ($152.7B), with a combined 46% share of the global market. Mushrooms and truffles, cucumbers and gherkins, watermelons, eggplants (aubergines), spinach, onion and shallot, cabbage and other brassicas, chilies and peppers (green), green beans, melons, garlic, lettuce and chicory, peas (green), carrots and turnips, cauliflower and broccoli, asparagus and leeks and other alliaceous vegetables lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 54%.

Spinach, with a CAGR of +8.6%, saw the highest growth rate of market size among the main consumed products over the period under review, while market for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Vegetable and Melon

In 2022, the amount of vegetables and melons produced worldwide stood at 1,597M tons, approximately reflecting the previous year. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 2.6%. Over the period under review, global production attained the maximum volume at 1,599M tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum. The general positive trend in terms output was largely conditioned by mild growth of the harvested area and a relatively flat trend pattern in yield figures.

In value terms, vegetable and melon production totaled $1,439.7B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 38%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $1,713.4B. From 2017 to 2022, global production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of vegetable and melon production was China (747M tons), comprising approx. 47% of total volume. Moreover, vegetable and melon production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, India (182M tons), fourfold. The United States (47M tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 2.9% share.

In China, vegetable and melon production increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: India (+2.2% per year) and the United States (-1.4% per year).

Production By Type

The products with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were potatoes (369M tons), fresh vegetables, nes (302M tons) and tomatoes (187M tons), together comprising 53% of global production. Onion and shallot, watermelons, cucumbers and gherkins, cabbage and other brassicas, eggplants (aubergines), mushrooms and truffles, carrots and turnips, chilies and peppers (green), spinach, garlic, melons, lettuce and chicory, cauliflower and broccoli, green beans, peas (green), asparagus and leeks and other alliaceous vegetables lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 47%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for mushrooms and truffles (with a CAGR of +4.6%), while production for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, fresh vegetables, nes ($348.3B), tomatoes ($219.4B) and potatoes ($148.6B) appeared to be the products with the highest levels of production in 2022, together accounting for 47% of global production. Cucumbers and gherkins, mushrooms and truffles, spinach, watermelons, eggplants (aubergines), onion and shallot, cabbage and other brassicas, chilies and peppers (green), green beans, lettuce and chicory, garlic, melons, peas (green), carrots and turnips, cauliflower and broccoli, asparagus and leeks and other alliaceous vegetables lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 53%.

Spinach, with a CAGR of +15.4%, saw the highest growth rate of market size in terms of the main produced products over the period under review, while production for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Yield

The global average vegetable and melon yield reached 22 tons per ha in 2022, stabilizing at the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 2.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average vegetable and melon yield hit record highs at 22 tons per ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Harvested Area

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of vegetables and melons production worldwide totaled 73M ha, flattening at the year before. In general, the harvested area saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 1.3% against the previous year. The global harvested area peaked at 73M ha in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Imports

World Imports of Vegetable and Melon

In 2022, purchases abroad of vegetables and melons decreased by -1.3% to 64M tons for the first time since 2014, thus ending a seven-year rising trend. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 9.8% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at 65M tons in 2021, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

In value terms, vegetable and melon imports shrank to $55.1B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs at $56.5B in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the United States (8.4M tons), followed by Belgium (4.5M tons), Germany (4.2M tons) and the Netherlands (3.5M tons) were the major importers of vegetables and melons, together committing 32% of total imports. The following importers - France (2.7M tons), the UK (2.6M tons), Canada (2.2M tons), Spain (2M tons), Russia (1.6M tons), Malaysia (1.4M tons), the United Arab Emirates (1.4M tons), Italy (1.4M tons) and Poland (1.2M tons) - together made up 26% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +7.9%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($9.1B), Germany ($6.4B) and the UK ($3.6B) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 35% share of global imports. France, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Poland, Italy, Russia, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 32%.

Poland, with a CAGR of +9.2%, recorded 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.

Imports By Type

In 2022, potatoes (16M tons), distantly followed by onion and shallot (9.6M tons), tomatoes (6.5M tons), fresh vegetables, nes (4.2M tons), watermelons (3.7M tons) and chilies and peppers (green) (3.5M tons) were the largest types of vegetables and melons, together committing 70% of total imports. The following types - cabbage and other brassicas (2.8M tons), carrots and turnips (2.6M tons), cucumbers and gherkins (2.6M tons), lettuce and chicory (2.2M tons), garlic (2.2M tons), melons (1.9M tons) and cauliflower and broccoli (1.2M tons) - together made up 25% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main imported products, was attained by onion and shallot (with a CAGR of +4.5%), while imports for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, tomatoes ($8.9B), chilies and peppers (green) ($5.7B) and fresh vegetables, nes ($5.6B) constituted the products with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 37% of global imports. Potatoes, onion and shallot, lettuce and chicory, cucumbers and gherkins, garlic, cabbage and other brassicas, watermelons, mushrooms and truffles, melons, cauliflower and broccoli, asparagus, carrots and turnips, green beans, eggplants (aubergines), spinach, peas (green) and leeks and other alliaceous vegetables lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 63%.

Spinach, with a CAGR of +9.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main imported products over the period under review, while purchases for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Type

The average vegetable and melon import price stood at $860 per ton in 2022, approximately equating the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average import price increased by 5.3%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $871 per ton in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was asparagus ($3,340 per ton), while the price for potatoes ($335 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by spinach (+4.9%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average vegetable and melon import price amounted to $860 per ton, almost unchanged from the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average import price increased by 5.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $871 per ton in 2021, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($1,527 per ton), while Belgium ($397 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (+3.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Vegetable and Melon

In 2022, approx. 68M tons of vegetables and melons were exported worldwide; increasing by 3.6% against the previous year's figure. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 14%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, vegetable and melon exports totaled $58.2B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

The shipments of the four major exporters of vegetables and melons, namely Mexico, the Netherlands, China and Spain, represented more than third of total export. It was followed by France (4.1M tons), achieving a 6% share of total exports. India (2.9M tons), Iran (2.9M tons), the United States (2.8M tons), Germany (2.6M tons), Belgium (1.9M tons), Canada (1.7M tons), Morocco (1.7M tons) and Turkey (1.6M tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Iran (with a CAGR of +19.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Mexico ($8.4B), Spain ($8.4B) and the Netherlands ($7.7B) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 42% of global exports. China, the United States, Canada, France, Morocco, Belgium, Iran, Germany, Turkey and India lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 37%.

Among the main exporting countries, Iran, with a CAGR of +17.6%, 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.

Exports By Type

In 2022, potatoes (15M tons), distantly followed by onion and shallot (9.8M tons), tomatoes (7.5M tons), fresh vegetables, nes (4.8M tons), watermelons (4M tons) and chilies and peppers (green) (3.9M tons) were the key types of vegetables and melons, together creating 69% of total exports. Cucumbers and gherkins (2.9M tons), carrots and turnips (2.9M tons), cabbage and other brassicas (2.7M tons), lettuce and chicory (2.6M tons), garlic (2.5M tons), melons (2M tons) and cauliflower and broccoli (1.9M tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exported products, was attained by spinach (with a CAGR of +11.9%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest types of exported vegetables and melons were tomatoes ($10.6B), chilies and peppers (green) ($6.4B) and fresh vegetables, nes ($5.3B), with a combined 39% share of global exports. Potatoes, onion and shallot, lettuce and chicory, cucumbers and gherkins, garlic, watermelons, cauliflower and broccoli, mushrooms and truffles, cabbage and other brassicas, melons, carrots and turnips, asparagus, green beans, spinach, eggplants (aubergines), peas (green) and leeks and other alliaceous vegetables lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 61%.

Spinach, with a CAGR of +17.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exported products over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Type

The average vegetable and melon export price stood at $851 per ton in 2022, waning by -2.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 3.4%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $873 per ton in 2021, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was asparagus ($3,400 per ton), while the average price for exports of potatoes ($341 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by spinach (+4.5%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average vegetable and melon export price stood at $851 per ton in 2022, shrinking by -2.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 an increase of 3.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $873 per ton in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Canada ($1,518 per ton), while India ($279 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+4.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform