Fresh papayas market in Ecuador

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the Ecuadorian fresh papaya market was shaped by new export opportunities and strong domestic demand. The entry of Ecuadorian papaya into the United States market in June 2018, after over a decade of phytosanitary negotiations, marked a significant milestone, though actual export volumes remained low. High local demand for fresh consumption, juices, and desserts supported stable production near 48 000 tons. In 2019, the market saw a slight dip as low commercialization in the U.S. due to strict phytosanitary standards posed challenges, despite a growing number of producers.

The market stabilized in the early 2020s with external demand playing a key role. In 2020, growing exports to destinations like Peru, Canada, and European countries, fueled by international popularity, helped production recover slightly. By 2021, technical support and input delivery from the state-owned company Agropzachin provided direct assistance to growers, contributing to steady production outcomes even as export barriers to the U.S. persisted.

Production surged past 50 000 tons in 2022. The following year, output declined moderately, influenced by the crop's ongoing sensitivity to pests like anthracnose, which requires specialized management and can limit yields. Concurrently, governmental support for a bill to enable papaya exports to the U.S. with tariff preferences aimed at improving the sector's long-term competitiveness, reflecting continued efforts to expand market access.

Production fresh papayas in Ecuador

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Ecuador was one of the world's leading producers of fresh papayas from 2017 to 2020, ranking 26th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of fresh papayas, 2017-2020

World map of production of fresh papayas, 2017-2020

After a two-year decline, Ecuador's fresh papaya production increased in 2020. The country produced 48 023 tonnes that year, marking a slight 1.2% rise compared to 2019. Production had reached its lowest point in 2019 at 47 452 tonnes, with the largest annual decline of 1.4% occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Ecuador in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports fresh papayas from Ecuador

Exports in kind, t

Ecuador's fresh papaya exports showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports fell to their lowest level in 2019 at 93 tonnes, then rebounded sharply to 158 tonnes in 2020—a substantial 70.0% increase compared to the previous year. The most dramatic decline occurred in 2018 with an 87.9% drop. Overall, exports varied by a factor of 17 between their peak in 2017 and their low point in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three countries dominated Ecuador's fresh papaya exports by volume: the United Kingdom accounted for 52.0% of exports, Peru for 23.1%, and the Netherlands for 11.7%. Together, these three markets represented 86.8% of Ecuador's total fresh papaya exports during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Ecuador's fresh papaya export revenues declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, falling to 34 thousand US dollars—a 70.0% decrease compared to 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, export values dropped by 97.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of negative 71.6%.

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

In value terms, Ecuador's fresh papaya exports from 2017 to 2020 were concentrated in two main markets: the United Kingdom accounted for 63.9% of total export value, while the Netherlands represented 16.1%. Together, these two countries comprised 80.0% of Ecuador's fresh papaya export revenues, with other partners making up the remaining 20.0%.

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

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

Imports fresh papayas to Ecuador

According to market intelligence reports, Ecuador did not import any fresh papayas between 2017 and 2020.