In 2024, Guatemala positioned itself as the world's leading melon exporter by volume, surpassing Spain, which had held the lead until 2023. According to a report by Hortoinfo, based on data from the UN Statistics Division COMTRADE using TARIC code 080719 (Fresh melons), Spain still leads in value by exporting melons at higher prices than Mexico.
Historically, Spain was the world's largest melon exporter, but in 2023, it was overtaken by Guatemala, a trend that continued in 2024. That year, the world exported 2,053.39 million kilos of melon for 1,642.36 million euros, with an average price of 0.80 euros per kilo.
In 2024, Guatemala, Spain, Brazil, and Honduras accounted for 46.28% of world melon exports. Guatemala exported 364.41 million kilos (17.75%), Spain exported 342.44 million kilos (16.68%), and Brazil exported 243 million kilos (11.85%). China ranked fourth with 166.14 million kilos, followed by the United States with 157.26 million kilos, and Honduras with 153.9 million kilos. Other exporters included the Netherlands (113.24 million kilos), Mexico (108.09 million kilos), Uzbekistan (58.01 million kilos), Costa Rica (57.32 million kilos), and Morocco (43.1 million kilos).
Spain led in revenue with 313.66 million euros, accounting for 19.1% of the world total. Guatemala was second with 179.94 million euros, followed by Brazil (171.18 million), China (168.97 million), the Netherlands (154.25 million), the U.S. (124.32 million), Mexico (82.23 million), Honduras (80.81 million), Morocco (60.92 million), and France (49.82 million).
Myanmar achieved the highest price per kilo in 2024 (2.9 euros), followed by France (1.53 euros), Morocco (1.41 euros), and the Netherlands (1.36 euros). Spain sold at 0.92 euros per kilo. Guatemala sent 95.1% of its exports to the United States, while Spain mainly exported to Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Portugal. Brazil principally exported to the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
Source: hortoinfo.es