EU: Melon Market 2023

Melon Market Size in the EU

In 2021, after four years of growth, there was decline in the EU melon market, when its value decreased by -0.5% to $X. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Melon Production in the EU

In value terms, melon production reduced to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 13%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Spain (X tons), Italy (X tons) and France (X tons), together accounting for 86% of total production. Greece, Romania and Portugal lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 11%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Portugal (with a CAGR of +4.7%), while production for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the production figures.

The average melon yield reduced slightly to X tons per ha in 2021, remaining relatively unchanged against 2020. Overall, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 3.2%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, approx. X ha of melons were harvested in the European Union; almost unchanged from 2020. In general, the harvested area, however, continues to indicate a slight setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 1.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to melon production attained the maximum at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Melon Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2021, melon exports in the European Union dropped modestly to X tons, declining by -3.8% compared with 2020 figures. In general, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 7.1%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, melon exports stood at $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Spain (X tons) represented the key exporter of melons, constituting 62% of total exports. The Netherlands (X tons) took a 22% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Italy (5.4%) and France (5.1%).

Spain experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of melons. At the same time, Italy (+4.8%) and the Netherlands (+2.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Italy emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +4.8% from 2012-2021. By contrast, France (-3.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the Netherlands (+4.1 p.p.) and Italy (+1.8 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of France (-1.7 p.p.) and Spain (-3.6 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Spain ($X) remains the largest melon supplier in the European Union, comprising 54% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Netherlands ($X), with a 27% share of total exports. It was followed by France, with an 8.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Spain was relatively modest. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Netherlands (+3.8% per year) and France (-2.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 5.1% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.0%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the export price increased by 19%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while Spain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+1.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Melon Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2021, purchases abroad of melons decreased by -1.3% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. Overall, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 5.8% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, melon imports amounted to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons) and France (X tons) were the largest importers of melons in 2021, accounting for near 24% and 20% of total imports, respectively. Germany (X tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Spain (X tons) and Portugal (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 31% share of total imports. Belgium (X tons), Italy (X tons), Poland (X tons), Denmark (X tons), Sweden (X tons) and Austria (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +12.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Germany ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 60% of total imports. Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Italy, Poland, Denmark, Sweden and Austria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 33%.

Poland, with a CAGR of +11.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 2.5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the import price increased by 13%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per ton), while Portugal ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Denmark (+1.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

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