Fresh papayas market in Colombia

Earlier Report Observations

Colombian fresh papaya production expanded from 125.3 thousand tons in 2018 to 196 thousand tons in 2020. This strong growth was supported by government programs aimed at strengthening agricultural production for export, which included non-traditional products like papaya. The crop's inherent characteristics of high yield and continuous harvest cycles also facilitated larger output. Concurrently, a rise in consumer attention to nutrition, evidenced by increased reading of food labels from 2019, bolstered domestic demand for fresh fruit.

Output contracted sharply to 146.2 thousand tons in 2021, coinciding with the implementation of new front-of-pack nutritional labeling rules under Resolución 810 de 2021. These regulations, requiring warning seals on packaged foods, likely introduced temporary compliance adjustments for the industry. Recovery commenced in 2022, aided by updated ICA phytosanitary norms for exporting fresh vegetables, which streamlined international trade procedures and contributed to a 41.7% surge in export value early that year. The consolidation of Córdoba as the nation's leading papaya-producing region, supplying over 25% of the national volume, provided a stable production base for this rebound.

Production continued its recovery to 178.5 thousand tons in 2023. This was sustained by a shift in consumer habits toward healthier food choices, which increased demand for nutritious fresh fruits like papaya. The sector's growing export capability, with international sales to markets such as Curaçao, provided an additional outlet for production, encouraging further output expansion despite the ongoing adaptation to new labeling standards.

Production fresh papayas in Colombia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia ranked as the 13th largest producer of fresh papayas globally.

Top producers of fresh papayas, 2017-2020

World map of production of fresh papayas, 2017-2020

Colombia's fresh papaya production grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 196.0 thousand tonnes, marking a 35.2% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 16.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.2%. The lowest production level was in 2018, at 125.3 thousand tonnes, when output fell by 25.7%.

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

Exports fresh papayas from Colombia

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018, at 148.1 tonnes, and peaked in 2020, at 458.6 tonnes—a 3.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports jumped by 55.8% compared to 2019. The sharpest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 57.2%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 98.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main destinations for Colombia's fresh papaya exports were Ecuador, with 37.6% of the volume, Curaçao at 34.1%, and Aruba at 20.0%. Together, these three markets made up 91.7% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Colombia's fresh papaya exports in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 568 thousand US dollars, down 20.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 86.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -49.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ecuador dominated Colombia's fresh papaya exports in value, accounting for 88.9% of the total, while other markets represented the remainder.

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

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

Imports fresh papayas to Colombia

Imports in kind, t

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

During 2017-2020, imports in volume were entirely dependent on Ecuador, which accounted for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

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

Throughout 2017-2020, imports in value were heavily concentrated on Ecuador, making up 100.0% of total flows.

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

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