Watermelon Market Overview in Malaysia

The Malaysian watermelon market totaled $ in 2019, growing by % 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). Overall, the total consumption indicated a perceptible expansion from 2007 to 2019: its value increased at an average annual rate of +% over the last twelve years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, consumption increased by +% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2008 with an increase of % against the previous year. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $ in 2010; however, from 2011 to 2019, consumption failed to regain the momentum.

In value terms, watermelon production stood at $ in 2019 estimated in export prices. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +% from 2007 to 2019; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2008 with an increase of % against the previous year. Watermelon production peaked at $ in 2010; however, from 2011 to 2019, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2019, the average watermelon yield in Malaysia stood at tonnes per ha, remaining stable against 2018. In general, the yield recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2012 with an increase of % y-o-y. The watermelon yield peaked at tonnes per ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2019, the yield failed to regain the momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2019, approx. ha of watermelons were harvested in Malaysia; standing approx. at the previous year. Overall, the total harvested area indicated slight growth from 2007 to 2019: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +% over the last twelve-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, watermelon harvested area increased by +% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2009 with an increase of % y-o-y. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of ha. From 2010 to 2019, the growth of the watermelon harvested area failed to regain the momentum.

In 2019, the amount of watermelons consumed in Malaysia expanded notably to tonnes, with an increase of % against 2018 figures. In general, the total consumption indicated temperate growth from 2007 to 2019: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +% over the last twelve-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, consumption increased by +% against 2015 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2008 when the consumption volume increased by % y-o-y. Watermelon consumption peaked at tonnes in 2009; however, from 2010 to 2019, consumption failed to regain the momentum.

The revenue of the watermelon market in Malaysia reached $ in 2019, growing by % 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). Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a pronounced expansion from 2007 to 2019: its value increased at an average annual rate of +% over the last twelve-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, consumption increased by +% against 2017 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2008 with an increase of % against the previous year. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $ in 2010; however, from 2011 to 2019, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The watermelon market is expected to start a downward consumption trend over the next decade. The performance of the market is forecast to decrease slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of -% for the eleven-year period from 2019 to , which is projected to depress the market volume to tonnes by the end of .

Over the period under review, imports of watermelon in Malaysia were negligibly small compared to the production volumes. Therefore, the share of imports in the total market was practically nonexistent, both in volume and in value terms. This situation has remained constant over the period under review, which means that domestic producers entirely meet the domestic demand for watermelon.

This tangible trade surplus reflects the fact that the market remains buoyed by domestic production, and the industry is highly incorporated into the global market, which is likely to continue in the medium term.