We are conducting a risk analysis for fresh melon fruit for human consumption from Japan.
Risk analysis:
When we do a risk analysis, we:
- review the science on pests and diseases of concern
- assess and analyse biosecurity risks
- develop proposed risk management measures, if required
- consult the public on the draft report and then review comments
- publish the final report
- verify that the country can meet the recommended risk management measures
- develop import conditions
- publish import conditions in our Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON).
About the risk analysis
We initiated this risk analysis because Japan requested market access for fresh melons (Cucumis melo). The request covers all melon varieties except oriental melon (C. melo var. makuwa) and oriental pickling melon (C. melo var. utilissimus, syn. C. melo var. conomon). Learn more about why we carry out risk analyses and our international obligations.
This risk analysis is being conducted as a review of biosecurity import requirements. This is because we have completed a preliminary assessment of the pests of potential biosecurity concern associated with melons from Japan and have found that:
- the pests of concern are the same as, or similar to, pests or pest groups we have previously assessed for other horticultural goods. These pests include true bugs, spider mites, thrips, fungi, fungus-like organisms and viruses.
- appropriate risk management measures exist for these pests or pest groups.
Trade
Australia-Japan trade
Japan is an important trading partner of Australia. Japan is Australia’s second largest trading partner, with two-way goods and services totalling $117.2 billion in 2021-22. They are also Australia’s second largest export market for agriculture, forestry and fisheries products; worth $6.2 billion in 2021-22.
Melon industry in Japan
In 2020 Japan produced 147,900 tonnes of melons. Melons are grown throughout the country.
Japan produces melons year-round. They use a range of cultivation techniques, with different cultivars harvested in different seasons.
Most melons in Japan are consumed as fresh fruit in the domestic market, however fruit are also exported to Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan.
Melon industry in Australia
The Australian melon industry is well established and consists of approximately 200 growers producing melons across an area of around 8,500 hectares. The major melon types produced in Australia are rockmelons, honeydew melons and watermelons.
Importantly, the melons from Japan risk analysis only applies to fruit varieties within the melon (Cucumis melo) species. This means it does not include watermelons (Citrullus lanatus). Accordingly, the Australian statistics outlined below are applicable to melons (Cucumis melo) only.
Melons are grown across most states and territories within Australia. Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia and the Northern Territory are the largest producers. Smaller volumes are produced in Victoria and South Australia.
In 2021-22, the Australian melon industry produced 57,800 tonnes of melons (rockmelons, honeydew melons and Piel de Sapo melons), valued at $81.1 million. Rockmelons, honeydew melons and Piel de Sapo melons account for 85%, 14% and 1% of melon production, respectively.
Melons are available year-round in Australia, with the main production periods being: August to April for rockmelon, July to October for honeydew melon, and February to April for Piel de Sapo.
In 2021-22, Australia exported 10,336 tonnes of melons (rockmelons, honeydew melons and Piel de Sapo melons), valued at $20.6 million. The top export markets were Singapore, Japan, New Zealand, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates.
Melon imports
Australia permits the import of fresh rockmelon and honeydew melon from New Zealand, European countries, and the United States of America (except Hawaii) and fresh rockmelon and oriental melon from Korea. All imports must meet Australia’s biosecurity import conditions.
Australia has not imported melons (Cucumis melo) in the last 5 years.
Next steps
We will:
- review the science on pests and diseases of concern
- assess and analyse the biosecurity risks
- develop a draft report, which will propose risk management measures (if required) to manage the identified biosecurity risks
- release the draft report for a 60-calendar day public consultation period. We plan to release the draft report in the mid-2024. Please note that this is an indicative timeline and may be subject to change.
Keep informed
Register as a stakeholder
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Contact us
For more information, email imports@aff.gov.au or phone 1800 900 090 (when prompted select option 1, then option 1).