Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook 2020/2021

We have reviewed the Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook for 2020/21 and, to save you time we’ve pulled out the relevant statistics. Overall, it has been a great effort by our industry in very uncertain times and, we’re heading into 2021/2022 with some strong growth predicted.

Happy reading!

Overall Melon Production

• 182,572 tonne was produced to the value of $149m, slightly down on the previous year by 4%.
• The wholesale value of the fresh supply was $148.6m, with $122.2m distributed into retail and $26.4m into food service.
• 50% of Australian households purchased fresh melons, buying an average of 1.7kg per shopping trip.
• The supply per capita was 6.5kg, based on the volume supplied.
• Fresh export volume decreased by 41%.
• Fresh supply value increased slightly compared to the previous year by 6%.
• Retail supply volume was down by 6%.
• Food service supply volume increased by a whopping 62%, with a value increase of 69% on last year.

Muskmelons

• 67,598 tonne was produced to the value of $84.1m, an increase in volume of 16% and value of 23%.
• The wholesale value of the fresh supply was $77.7m, with $62.2m distributed into retail and $15.5m into food service.
• 34% of Australian households purchased fresh muskmelons, buying an average of 1.2kg per shopping trip.
• The supply per capita was 2.2kg, based on the volume supplied.
• Fresh export volume decreased by 27% compared to the previous year.
• Local supply chains saw significant increases:
  • Fresh supply volume increased by 32%, with an increase in value of 44%.
  • Retail supply volume increased by 23%, with an increase in value of 34%.
  • Food service supply volume increased by a massive 81%, with an increase in value of 98%!

• Rockmelons, accounted for 85% of fresh production.
• Honeydew melons, accounted for 14% of fresh production.
• Other muskmelon varieties include the newly introduced Piel de Sapo variety, accounted for 1% of fresh production.
• 41% of all fresh Muskmelon exports went to Japan, see the chart below for other export breakdown.

Watermelons

• 114,975 tonne was produced to the value of $64.9m, a decrease in volume of 13% from last year.
• The wholesale value of the fresh supply was $70.9m, with $60.1m distributed into retail and $10.8m into food service.
• 49% of Australian households purchased fresh watermelons, buying an average of 2kg per shopping trip.
• The supply per capita was 4.3 kg, based on the volume supplied.
• Over the past year Watermelons have seen a decrease across the following sectors:
  • Fresh export volume saw a decrease of 70%.
  • Fresh supply volume saw a slight decrease of 10%.
  • Retail supply volume decreased by 16%.
• The Food Service Supply sector saw an impressive increase of 51%, with an increase in value of 39%.

• 40% of exported fresh watermelons were sent to United Arab Emirates, see the chart below for other export breakdown.