Between January and June 2026, the European Union imported 351,672 tonnes of watermelons from countries outside the bloc, marking a 15% increase over a one-year period according to Eurostat data gathered by the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture and published by EFE Agro. This surge in external supply has coincided with severe price drops for domestic growers in Spain, creating widespread market saturation during the peak of the local harvest season.
External Supply Growth Led by Morocco and South America
Morocco remains by far the leading external supplier to the European Union. During the first six months of the year, Morocco shipped 148,950 tonnes of watermelons, representing a 14% increase compared to the same period in 2025. However, this growth follows a period when Moroccan watermelon was briefly surpassed on the European market by Almería; data covering the first five months of the year showed that the Spanish province sold more watermelons in the EU than the entirety of Morocco.
Other countries also expanded their exports to the European market during the first semester. Brazilian watermelon exports climbed by 39.4%, while shipments from Senegal rose by 24.9%. This broader expansion across multiple supplier nations compounded the total volume of competing produce arriving inside the bloc.
Did You Know? Import trends for watermelons contrasted sharply with melons during the same six-month window, as European melon imports from third countries declined by 11.2% to total 173,770 tonnes, while Moroccan melon sales plunged by 41.3% down to 24,587 tonnes.
Market Saturation and Price Collapse in Spain
For Spanish producers, the core challenge centers on heavy import volumes arriving precisely when their own farming campaigns reach peak production. Andrés Góngora, general secretary of the Coordinadora de Organizaciones de Agricultores y Ganaderos (COAG), states that these imports have directly contributed to saturating the market. Góngora points specifically to Morocco, though he notes that Moroccan watermelons differ from those grown in Almería because the imported fruit tends to be larger and contains more seeds.
The resulting economic pressure is reflected in official agricultural quotations. According to the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, watermelons traded at an average of just 24.1 euros per 100 kilos—approximately 24 euro cents per kilo before transport, distribution, and commercial margins—between August 17 and 23. Frustration among domestic growers is widespread, with some having previously reported heavy financial losses after market prices collapsed. In response to crashing European market prices, some Moroccan operators have suspended certain shipments.
Expert Insight: The friction between domestic European producers and international exporters underscores the structural vulnerabilities of overlapping agricultural calendars. When peak harvest periods in member states coincide with surging volumes from preferential external trade partners like Morocco, spot prices can deteriorate rapidly before logistics and distribution layers absorb the excess supply.
Industry Demands and Regulatory Calls
Agricultural organizations in Spain are pressing for increased oversight and regulatory alignment to manage the market pressures. Industry groups regularly demand stricter controls on incoming produce, clearer origin identification for consumers, and the mandatory application of production standards comparable to those enforced on European farmers.
As market conditions remain volatile, industry observers note that ongoing discussions regarding production calendars and import requirements could influence future trade flows. A possible next step involves heightened scrutiny from trade organizations regarding the timing and volume of incoming harvests.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did EU watermelon imports from outside the bloc increase in 2026?
Between January and June 2026, European Union imports of watermelons from third countries reached 351,672 tonnes, marking a 15% increase compared to the previous year according to Eurostat data.
What were the average prices for watermelons in Spain during August?
Between August 17 and 23, watermelons traded at an average of 24.1 euros per 100 kilos—roughly 24 cents per kilo before transport, distribution, and commercial margins, based on Spanish Ministry of Agriculture data.
How did Moroccan watermelon and melon exports perform differently?
While Moroccan watermelon exports to the EU rose by 14% to 148,950 tonnes in the first half of the year, Moroccan melon sales to the EU fell sharply by 41.3% down to 24,587 tonnes.
How do shifting seasonal harvest windows impact local market stability for perishable produce across the Mediterranean region?