Moroccan Watermelon Exports Surge in EU Market, Challenging Spanish Dominance

Last year, Moroccan watermelon sales in the EU jumped 50.49% compared to 2019, or 75.26 million more kilos, while Spanish ones fell by 4%, or 27.3 million fewer kilos, according to data compiled by Hortoinfo. Despite this drop in sales, Spain remains the leading seller of watermelons in the EU, with 654.3 million kilos of sales, or 36.48% of all watermelons purchased by the Member States.

To read: Morocco Overtakes Spain as Top Watermelon Supplier to EU Market

In 2021, Morocco was the third largest supplier of watermelons to the EU with 224.3 million kilos of sales, or 75.26 million more kilos than in 2019. The value of Moroccan watermelon was 140.42 million euros, with an average price of 0.63 euros per kilo. Meanwhile, the value of Spanish watermelon fell compared to 2019, from 357.62 million euros to 343.05 million euros, a decrease of 4.25%. Spanish watermelon was sold in 2019 and 2020 at 0.52 euros per kilo in the EU.

To read: Morocco’s Watermelon Exports Surge 295%, Quality Improves

Italy is the second largest supplier of watermelons to the EU with 243.4 million kilos, or 39.72 million more kilos than in 2019, and a value of 87.47 million euros (0.36 euros per kilo). Greece is the fourth largest supplier of watermelons to the EU with 141.52 million kilos and an average price of 0.26 euros per kilo. Germany follows with 111.96 million kilos sold at an average price of 0.65 euros per kilo.