Spanish household melon and watermelon consumption grows by 8.6 percent

Spanish households consumed 663.5 million kilos of melon and watermelon between June 2024 and May 2025, i.e., 8.6% or 52.5 million kilos more than in the previous year, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food's food consumption panel.

The average price of melons and watermelons is 1.20 euros per kilogram. That is 6.4% lower than in the previous year and also below the 2.2 euros per kilogram average price of fresh fruit. With these figures, the sector generated a turnover of 792,989,290 million euros, 1.6% more than in the previous year.

During the reference period, each Spaniard consumed an average of 14.16 kilos of melons and watermelons, 7.9% more than in the previous year, equivalent to one additional kilogram per person annually. Per capita expenditure experienced a moderate increase and stands at 16.92 euros per person per year (0.9% more than a year ago).

Melon and watermelon consumption is seasonal, from May to September, which aligns with the harvest periods. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food, through the #AlimentosdeEspaña strategy, is launching initiatives like the "The richest country in the world" campaign to highlight the efforts of farmers, livestock breeders, and fishermen—the true heroes behind Spanish food.

These actions also seek to increase public awareness of the importance of eating seasonal products and promote responsible practices that help reduce food waste.

The production and seasonality of these fruits explain why the proportion of household purchase volumes varies by month and fruit type. Watermelon consumption peaks in the main summer months. Meanwhile, melon has a slightly longer season, with significant consumption even in early autumn.

Supermarkets are the preferred channel for Spaniards to buy these fruits, accounting for 54.5% of purchases. Melons and watermelons are the most popular fresh fruits purchased in this type of establishment. Traditional stores follow with 23.3% of the total volume, and hypermarkets are the third most common distribution channel.

The autonomous communities with the highest consumption of these fruits are Extremadura, Castile-La Mancha, and Castile and León. Cantabria, Galicia, Asturias, and the Canary Islands have a below-average level of purchase.

For more information:
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food
www.mapa.gob.es