Fresh papayas market in Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

Caribbean fresh papaya production expanded from 1 248 thousand metric tons in 2018 to 1 686 thousand metric tons in 2023, with notable fluctuations. Output grew by 13% in 2019, contracted by 8% in 2020 and stabilized in 2021, before rebounding with a 10% increase in 2022 and a strong 20% rise in 2023.

The market is primarily supplied by domestic output, as external trade played a minor role throughout the period. Imports and exports each averaged around 1 000 metric tons annually, leaving market size closely aligned with production volumes.

Entering 2024, global supply challenges such as weather-related flooding in Guatemala affected papaya volumes and regional market dynamics. At the same time, rising health consciousness in North America boosted demand for papaya as a digestive-friendly fruit.

Production fresh papayas in Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of fresh papayas, 2017-2020

World map of production of fresh papayas, 2017-2020

Fresh papaya production in the Caribbean declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 1 408 thousand tonnes, but by 2020 it had fallen to 1 298 thousand tonnes, marking a 7.9% decrease. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 18%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.7%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 13.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports fresh papayas from Caribbean

Exports in kind, t

Exports of fresh papayas from the Caribbean declined for the second consecutive year. In 2019, exports dropped by 50.9%, followed by a further decrease of 4.4% in 2020, bringing the total to 1 978 tonnes. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 46.8%, with an average annual decline of 19.0%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 211 tonnes, which also saw an increase of 13.3% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada were the leading destinations for fresh papaya exports from the Caribbean. The United States accounted for 62.9% of exports in volume, followed by the United Kingdom at 12.4% and Canada at 5.6%. Together, these three countries represented 80.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Fresh papaya exports from the Caribbean declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 2 198 thousand US dollars, a 34.3% drop compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 65.9%, with an average annual decline of 30.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada consistently led as the top markets for fresh papaya exports from the Caribbean in value terms. The United States accounted for 56.1% of export value, the United Kingdom for 18.7%, and Canada for 13.3%. Collectively, these three countries made up 88.1% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports fresh papayas to Caribbean

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, fresh papaya imports into the Caribbean increased. In 2019, imports hit a low of 767 tonnes, but by 2020 they had risen to 967 tonnes, a 26.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 13.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 9.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia, the United States, and Venezuela were the primary sources of fresh papaya imports into the Caribbean in volume terms. Colombia accounted for 23.9% of imports, the United States for 20.2%, and Venezuela for 5.8%. Together, these three countries represented 49.8% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, fresh papaya imports into the Caribbean amounted to 1 294 thousand US dollars, a 7.6% increase year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 22.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.1%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 1 372 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase that year at 30.3%. In 2019, imports declined by 12.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Over the 2017-2020 period, the United States, Colombia, and Venezuela stood out as the main sources for fresh papaya imports into the Caribbean in value terms. The United States accounted for 43.2% of import value, Colombia for 17.1%, and Venezuela for 5.5%. Together, these three countries represented 65.8% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Caribbean in value, 2017-2020