For 2021, watermelon exports were unchanged significantly, during that year 140,093 metric tons were registered with a value of $52 million, mainly destined for the United States of America, reaching $23 million in purchases from the Central American region.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
The first foreign sale of the fruits was carried out by the company Melones de la Península, which sent 1,500 kilos to Europe by air and 10,000 kilos by sea.
After the organization Kiwa BCS Limitada granted the certification of organic product, in a first stage Melones de la Península exported 1,500 kilos during two weeks, by air, between both varieties (melon-yellow honey dew and watermelon-quetzali), as well as approximately 10 thousand kilos by sea in the same period.
During the first three months of the year countries in Central America sold $52 million worth of watermelons abroad, which is 20% more than what was exported in the same period in 2017.
Figures from the information system on the Fresh Watermelon Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData : [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
Last year countries in the region exported $68 million worth of watermelons, the highest value in the last six years, registering an increase of 58% compared to 2016.
Figures from the information system on the Fresh Watermelon Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
Between January and September 2016 the volume of watermelon exports from the region grew by 17% compared to the same period in 2015.
Figures from the information system on themarket for fresh watermelon in Central America complied by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Clic para interactuar con la gráfica"]
In 2015 the region as a whole exported $36 million worth of watermelons, led by Costa Rica and Panama who exported $14 million each, followed by Honduras, with $4 million.
Watermelon Tradefiguresin Central America,analyzed by the Business Inteligence Unit at CentralAmericaData.com show that in 2015 the countries in Central America exported 154,476 tons of whole watermelon, at an average price of $0.23 per kilogram.
The increase in production and international prices of melon, pineapple and coffee explain the better performance of the agricultural sector during the first quarter of 2014.
The monthly index of economic activity indicates that the agricultural and construction sectors were those that performed best in recent months. The agricultural sector in April showed a rise of 6% compared to the same month in 2013.
Honduran melon production for the 2012-2013 harvest is set to perform better because of improved farming practices, which producers hope will translate into increased exports for the country.
A statement from the Costa Rica Foreign Trade Promotion Office reads:
Medardo Galindo, head of Honduran agricultural exporters, explained that "we are expecting an increase of up to 5 and 10% of production, which will mean the country will see an upward curve in production", while in the 2009-2010 harvest 1.100 boxes were exported, in the following period the number rose to 1,300, he also added that if the sanitary and phytosanitary problems, which are being managed, had not occurred, the expansion of production could have been higher.
The financial crisis affecting Europe has resulted in low prices for melons and watermelons.
So says Alexis Bravo, president of the Nontraditional Agribusiness Group in Panama (Grantap), at the end of the XX International Congress of Producers and Exporters of Melons and Watermelons, held in Panama.
"... The European market prospects remain good, but ...
The Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Trade is negotiating with China on export rules for pineapples and melons.
The understandings are necessary for the implementation of the FTA signed between the two countries which came into force in 2011, reported freshplaza.com.
The protocols for bananas and leathers have been already agreed and Costa Rican meat exporters have received phytosanitary certificates to start exporting beef to China.
For the 2008-2009 period, the country exported $75 million, 10% more than the previous year.
Despite the positive numbers, melon exporters remain cautious, awaiting the upcoming harvest.
"The sales figure surprised melon growers, who, from one period to the other, reduced planted area in 35%, going from 10.000 hectares in 2008 to 6.500 in 2009. The main planted area is located in Guanacaste, plus a smaller one in Puntarenas", reports Nacion.com..
Exports of some products increased despite the crisis: meat, melon, fruit purée, fruit concentrates, fruit juices and medical devices.
Even though Costa Rican exports diminished 14.2% in the first semester of 2009 when compared to the same period of the same year, some sectors of the economy remained stable, and some even registered increases.
In his Nacion.com article, Marvin Barquero extracts details from the exports report by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Agency (Procomer): "Melon shipments increased 11%, and fruit juices and concentrates 14.2%. Meat exports increased 12%, fruit purée 7% and medical infusion devices, medicines and medical devices exports increased 8%, 4% and 6% respectively".
Whole-bean coffee, melon, banana and ornamental plants producers are betting for the high level of consumption of the Russian market.
Last year, banana producer Bonanza S.A., of Russian capital, exported an average of 75 containers per week, making banana the most exported product to Russia.
"Whole-bean coffee producers have made small shipments, to test the Russian consumer, and analyze the possibility of consolidating exports", published El Financiero's website. "Melon producers are also testing Russia as a niche".