Fresh papayas market in Fiji

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh papaya market in Fiji expanded from 3 198 t in 2018 to 3 733 t in 2019, supported by industry efforts to diversify tropical fruit offerings for the growing tourism and retail sectors. However, in 2020, market volume fell to 3 496 t as the closure of the tourism sector during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced demand for fresh produce.

A strong recovery began in 2021, with market size jumping to 4 348 t, driven by the expansion of exporter Unik Tropical Export into new international markets such as the USA and Canada, which stimulated production. Growth continued in 2022, reaching 5 095 t, following the identification of Vanua Levu as suitable for high-quality papaya cultivation and the launch of pilot projects, alongside strengthened market access partnerships with New Zealand through Fresh Direct.

The market surged further to 6 787 t in 2023, reflecting sustained production expansion and export momentum, with the overall period from 2018 to 2023 seeing a more than doubling of market volume.

Production fresh papayas in Fiji

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of fresh papayas, 2017-2020

World map of production of fresh papayas, 2017-2020

In 2019, Fiji produced 4 005 tons of fresh papayas, marking the highest output during the period. However, production declined to 3 635 tons in 2020, representing a 9.2% decrease from the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 285 tons. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 5.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.9%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production surged by 21.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two consecutive years of growth, Fiji's fresh papaya production value declined in 2020. Output was valued at 8 629 thousand US dollars that year, down 5.0% from 2019. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 9 082 thousand US dollars. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 20.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.3%. The largest year-on-year increase took place in 2019, when the value rose by 24.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Fiji in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports fresh papayas from Fiji

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes of fresh papayas from Fiji showed significant volatility between 2017 and 2020. The lowest point was in 2018 at 89.2 tons, which represented a 67.3% decline from the previous year. Volumes then rebounded sharply in 2019 with a 204.6% increase. However, exports fell again in 2020 to 139.5 tons, marking a steep 48.6% decrease year-over-year. The difference between the peak in 2017 and the trough in 2018 was 3.1-fold, highlighting the market's instability.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, New Zealand and Australia dominated Fiji's fresh papaya exports in volume terms, together accounting for 97.0% of total shipments. The remaining 3.0% was distributed among other markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of Fiji's fresh papaya exports experienced considerable fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 198.2 thousand US dollars, representing a 65.2% drop from the previous year. This was followed by a dramatic recovery in 2019, with values surging 210.8% to reach 615.9 thousand US dollars. In 2020, export value declined to 331.1 thousand US dollars, down 46.2% year-over-year. The 3.1-fold difference between the 2018 low and the 2019 high underscores the market's volatility.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand and Australia collectively accounted for 95.9% of Fiji's fresh papaya export value. The remaining 4.1% was spread across various other markets.

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

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

Imports fresh papayas to Fiji

Imports in kind, t

Fiji's imports of fresh papayas remained minimal throughout the period. In 2020, imports totaled 0.4 tons, showing little change from 2019. From 2018 to 2020, import volumes decreased by 80.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 41.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Thailand and New Zealand were the exclusive sources of Fiji's fresh papaya imports in volume terms, together accounting for 100.0% of total inflows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Fiji's imports of fresh papayas were valued at 1.1 thousand US dollars, showing minimal change from the previous year. From 2018 to 2020, import value decreased by 22.3%, with an average annual decline of 8.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand and New Zealand together supplied 100.0% of Fiji's fresh papaya imports by value, forming a highly concentrated supplier base.

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

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