What type of product is a fresh melon?

A fresh melon is an edible fruit classified as a fresh fruit commodity, distinct from watermelons.

How should fresh melons be stored to maintain quality?

Fresh melons should be kept cool, ideally at temperatures between 0 °C and 4 °C, and protected from direct sunlight to preserve firmness and flavor.

Yes, fresh melons can be cooked by steaming or boiling, which is a common method for preparing them for certain culinary uses.

Melon is a fresh edible fruit classified under produce. It is harvested and sold as whole fruit for consumption.

Prices, specifications and international trade for melon under HS 080719.

$936USD/t

Published reference · Jul 1, 2026

Melon Historical Unit Values

Melon is quoted in USD/t at ESP. Historical customs values may differ from the headline reference.

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Spain led reported melon exports in 2025, at $395M.

Melon belongs to fresh fruit within produce, nuts, spices and food ingredients. Its customs classification covers HS 080719.

Product type	Raw
Form	Fresh
Position in the chain	Primary
Category	Fresh fruit — Produce, nuts, spices and food ingredients
HS codes	080719
Quoted in	USD/t
Reference location	ESP

Processing steps for melon include Harvesting, Field cleaning, Sorting.

Perishability	High
Temperature regime	Chilled
Processing steps	Harvesting Field cleaning Sorting Bulk packaging for transport

Typical melon packaging includes Unpackaged and Packaged for retail sale.

Unpackaged
Fresh melons sold without any packaging, as listed under HS code 0807.19.0000.
Packaged for retail sale
Fresh melons packaged for retail distribution, as listed under HS code 0807.19.0010.

Melon is used in Fresh consumption, Culinary preparation, and Juice production.

Fresh consumption
Whole melons sold to retailers and consumed raw
Culinary preparation
Cut melons used in salads, desserts, and garnish
Juice production
Melon flesh processed into fresh juice for beverage manufacturers

Downstream industries	Fresh produce retail, Food service and catering, Beverage and juice manufacturers
Leading origins	Afghanistan, Brazil, China, Guatemala, India, Italy, Kazakhstan, Spain, Türkiye, United States

Risk	Category	Severity	Mitigation
Salmonella contamination Food safetyHigh Melons, especially cantaloupes, have been linked to nationwide Salmonella outbreaks due to contamination on the rind and inadequate washing before packing.	Food safety	High	Implement rigorous pre‑packing wash steps, enforce strict hygiene for field workers, and test surface swabs for Salmonella.
Surface bacterial contamination (Listeria, other pathogens) Food safetyMedium Contact with soil, manure‑laden irrigation water, and poor handling can leave bacteria on the melon skin, which may transfer to the flesh during cutting.	Food safety	Medium	Wash the rind thoroughly with a brush under running water, sanitize cutting surfaces, and enforce hand‑washing after handling melons.

What type of product is a fresh melon?: A fresh melon is an edible fruit classified as a fresh fruit commodity, distinct from watermelons.
How should fresh melons be stored to maintain quality?: Fresh melons should be kept cool, ideally at temperatures between 0 °C and 4 °C, and protected from direct sunlight to preserve firmness and flavor.
Can fresh melons be processed by steaming or boiling?: Yes, fresh melons can be cooked by steaming or boiling, which is a common method for preparing them for certain culinary uses.