Morocco’s Watermelon Exports Are Increasing as a Result of Lower Production in the EU

EU Fresh Watermelon Imports by Value from Morocco

Source: TradeMap and Tridge

From 2019-2022, Morocco's watermelon exports to the EU have seen a steady upward trend, rising from 166,417 MT to an estimated 270,870 MT, a 162.76% growth in volume in the observed period. Contributing to Morocco's success was a decline in production in major EU watermelon producers like Spain and Italy, which were affected by drought and increased input costs.

Monthly Export Trends of Fresh Watermelons for Spain and Morocco

Source: TradeMap and Tridge

In 2022, Morocco surpassed Italy as the second-largest watermelon supplier to the EU. The value of Moroccan watermelon exports was EUR 195.34M in 2022, with an average price of EUR 0.72/kg, according to HortoInfo. Spain's exports in terms of volume have been declining since 2019, plummeting by 25.25% to 680,910 MT in 2022. On the other side, Italy's export volume of fresh watermelon increased by 11.90% compared to 2019, but on a YoY comparison, exports were down 7.19% to 261,612 MT in 2022. Greece, another major supplier of fresh watermelon to EU member states, had its share of difficulties in production and is expecting decreased quantities available for export. Due to labor shortages and increased input costs which affected investments in watermelon production, expectations are that volume will be down 10-15%.

Although watermelons are available all year, Morocco has a slight advantage over open-field-produced watermelons due to its seasonality. Open-field watermelons from Morocco arrive from February until April before the first Spanish watermelons arrive in the EU market. Spanish farmers expect similar volumes to the previous year, while available water resources will also burden farmers in 2023. The cost of water per cubic meter in Spain has reached prohibitive levels, and Morocco is also subject to severe restrictions. As a result, during certain periods of the upcoming campaign, occasional and specific imports are expected. From 2010 to 2021, Morocco's cultivation areas increased steadily. From 13,539 ha in 2010 to 19,206 ha two years ago, representing a 42% increase in 11 years. Despite obstacles in the irrigation of watermelons, Tridge expects that Morocco will cement its second position in the EU market.