Market research

Fresh papayas market in Kenya

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

Kenya's fresh papaya production started at 134.4 thousand tonnes in 2018, a year when Kenya Papaya Products Limited secured KEBS certification, formalizing retail access and expanding the supply chain through hundreds of new farmers. In 2019, the introduction of a biological control agent against the papaya mealybug aimed to protect yields, though production fell to 105 thousand tonnes.

Market volume showed volatility in the following years, with a slight increase to 110.3 thousand tonnes in 2020 before declining sharply to 81.4 thousand tonnes in 2021 and further to 76.4 thousand tonnes in 2022.

Production recovered to 90.3 thousand tonnes in 2023, supported by research that identified optimal storage at 16°C to maintain quality and reduce postharvest losses, improving the available supply.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Kenya
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Kenya in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Kenya in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kenya in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Kenya by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kenya in value, 2018-2024, $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Kenya by countries, 2018-2024, $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Kenya, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Kenya by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kenya in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Kenya by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kenya in value, 2018-2024, $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Kenya by countries, 2018-2024, $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Kenya, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Kenya by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kenya in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Kenya by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kenya in value, 2018-2024, $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Kenya by countries, 2018-2024, $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Kenya, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Kenya by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kenya in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Kenya by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kenya in value, 2018-2024, $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Kenya by countries, 2018-2024, $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Kenya, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Kenya by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production fresh papayas in Kenya

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Kenya was among the world's leading producers of fresh papayas from 2017 to 2020, ranking 17th globally by production volume.

Top producers of fresh papayas, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of fresh papayas, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In 2020, Kenya produced 110.3 K t of fresh papayas, representing a 5.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 2.3%, which translates to an annualized decline of 0.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 105.0 K t, while the highest was in 2018 at 134.4 K t. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 21.9% decrease, whereas the largest increase was in 2018 with a 19.0% rise.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	19.0%	(21.9%)	5.0%	(0.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports fresh papayas from Kenya

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports peaked in 2018 and fell to their lowest point in 2020, with an 8.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Kenya's cross-border shipments of fresh papayas amounted to 3.1 t, marking a sharp decline of 72.0% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 24.9 t, with the largest increase that year at 56.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	56.2%	(55.9%)	(72.0%)	(42.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Somalia, and Norway were the key destinations for Kenya's fresh papaya exports in kind. The United Kingdom accounted for 59.3% of exports, Somalia for 19.0%, and Norway for 8.2%, together making up 86.4% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Export values fluctuated 11.1 times between the high in 2018 and the low in 2020. In 2020, Kenya exported fresh papayas worth 2 910 US dollars, equivalent to an 82.8% decline year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 32 277 US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 61.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	61.4%	(47.5%)	(82.8%)	(47.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Somalia played leading roles in Kenya's fresh papaya exports in value terms. The United Kingdom accounted for 48.5% of exports, Norway for 21.2%, and Somalia for 13.3%, jointly representing 83.0% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports fresh papayas to Kenya

Imports in kind, t

Kenya's fresh papaya imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2019, imports came to 0.1 t, which is 100.0% lower year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2019, imports decreased by 100%, with a compound annual growth rate of -94.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(11.1%)	(100.0%)	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda dominated Kenya's fresh papaya imports in kind, holding a 100.0% share of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, $ US

Fresh papaya deliveries to Kenya declined for the second consecutive year. In 2019, imports amounted to 1 236 US dollars, marking a fall of 98.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2019, imports decreased by 98.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 76.5%.

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