Melons from Japan

We have released a draft report for our 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 conducted a preliminary assessment of the potential pests 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.
• there are appropriate risk management measures already established for these pests or pest groups.

Draft report

We released the draft report on 17 October 2024 for a 60-calendar day public consultation period, closing on 16 December 2024.

We proposed that the importation of commercially produced fresh melons from Japan can be permitted provided they meet the biosecurity import conditions.

Pests

Three pests associated with melons from Japan require risk management measures to reduce the biosecurity risk to an acceptable level. These pests are:

• intonsa flower thrips (Frankliniella intonsa)
• western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis)
• melon thrips (Thrips palmi).

Risk management measures

We proposed risk management measures to reduce the risk of these pests arriving in Australia via the fresh melon fruit pathway. The proposed measure for thrips is pre-export visual inspection and, if found, remedial action.

Download draft report

Announcement

We announced the commencement of this risk analysis on 30 August 2023.

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 $143.3 billion in 2022-23. They are also Australia’s second largest export market for agriculture, forestry and fisheries products; worth $6.5 billion in 2022-23.

Melon industry in Japan

In 2020 Japan produced 147,900 tonnes of melons. Melons are grown throughout the country.

Japan can produce melons year-round, though production volumes vary seasonally. 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, Taiwan, Malaysia and Hawaii.

Melon industry in Australia

The Australian melon industry is well established and consists of approximately 200 growers producing melons across 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 2022-23, the Australian melon industry produced 60,299 tonnes of melons (rockmelons, honeydew melons and Piel de Sapo melons), valued at $89.9 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 2022-23, Australia exported 9,912 tonnes of melons, valued at $19.7 million. The top export markets were Japan, Singapore, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong.

Melon imports

Australia currently allows imports of rockmelon and honeydew melon from European countries, New Zealand and the United States of America (except Hawaii), as well as imports of oriental melon and rockmelon from the Republic of Korea. All imports must meet Australia’s biosecurity import conditions.

• Between 2015 and 2023, there were no imports of Cucumis melo from any country.
• Prior to this, a single consignment of honeydew melons from the USA was imported.
• Between February and May 2024, Australia imported a small volume of fresh oriental melons from Korea (about 6,600 kg).

Proposed new food safety requirements for imported food

Separate to the import risk analysis for fresh melons from Japan, the department is proposing changes to the food safety requirements for imported foods, including melons.

To review the proposed changes to imported food legislation and share your feedback, please visit our Have your say webpage. Submit your feedback by 5pm (AEDT) on Friday 6 December 2024.

NOTE: the above Have your say survey regarding the proposed changes to food safety requirements is separate from the Melon fruit from Japan: biosecurity import requirements draft report and its corresponding Have your say consultation. While both relate to melons, they are distinct processes with different timelines and objectives. The outcomes of one will not impact the other.

Next steps

We are considering all comments we received on the draft report. Your feedback is helping to inform our final report.

We expect to release the final report by mid 2025. Please note that this is an indicative timeline and may be subject to change.

After verifying that Japan can meet the risk management measures recommended in the final report, we will develop import conditions. These will be published on our Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON).

Keep informed

Register as a stakeholder

Subscribe to ‘Biosecurity Risk Analysis Plant’ via our online subscription service to receive Biosecurity Advices and other notifications relating to plant biosecurity policy.

Contact us

For more information, email imports@aff.gov.au or phone 1800 900 090 (when prompted select option 1, then option 1).