Market research

Fresh papayas market in Latin America and the Caribbean, 2026

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Latin America and the Caribbean" region includes following countries:

Argentina

Bolivia

Bouvet Island

Brazil

Chile

Colombia

Ecuador

Falkland Islands (Malvinas)

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

French Guiana

Guyana

Paraguay

Peru

Suriname

Uruguay

Venezuela

Belize

Costa Rica

El Salvador

Guatemala

Honduras

Mexico

Nicaragua

Panama

Antigua and Barbuda

the Bahamas

Barbados

British Virgin Islands

Cayman Islands

Cuba

Dominica

Dominican Republic

Grenada

Guadeloupe

Haiti

Jamaica

Martinique

Montserrat

Curacao

Aruba

Saint Maarten (Dutch part)

Bonaire

Puerto Rico

Saint-Barthélemy

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Anguilla

Saint Lucia

Saint-Martin (French Part)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Trinidad and Tobago

Turks and Caicos Islands

United States Virgin Islands

Earlier Report Observations

Latin America's fresh papaya market expanded in physical volume from 2018 to 2023, with production rising from 4.1 million tons to 4.8 million tons. The region's output is concentrated in Brazil, Mexico, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic, which are major producers and exporters. This structural characteristic supported steady supply growth throughout the period.

Despite volume growth, the market's value in dollar terms contracted sharply between 2018 and 2021, from $5.6 billion to $3.0 billion, before partially recovering to $3.4 billion by 2023. The recovery coincided with increased U.S. import demand, which grew 5.8% in 2022, pulling up Latin American exports. Concurrently, wholesale prices in key producer Mexico climbed from $0.89 per kg in 2021 to $1.06 per kg in 2023, boosting the value of remaining domestic sales.

Supply-side challenges emerged in 2023, as anthracnose disease constrained papaya output in Ecuador, affecting international competitiveness. However, regional production continued to rise, aided by the dominant U.S. export channel and ongoing price appreciation.

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. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Latin America and the Caribbean
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2018-2023, K t
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, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, M $ 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/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, M $ 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/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, M $ 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/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, M $ 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/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ 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 Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of fresh papayas, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of fresh papayas, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Fresh papaya production in Latin America and the Caribbean has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 4 514 thousand tons of fresh papayas, marking a 3.4% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 14.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	5.5%	5.2%	3.4%	4.7%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports fresh papayas from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, K t

Fresh papaya exports from Latin America and the Caribbean have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 177.0 thousand tons, showing a strong year-on-year rise of 24.7%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 9.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 122.8 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 23.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(23.8%)	15.5%	24.7%	3.2%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Portugal, and Spain were the primary markets for fresh papaya exports in volume terms. The United States accounted for 58.5% of exports, Portugal for 5.6%, and Spain for 4.8%. Together, these three countries represented 68.8% 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 Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, fresh papaya export value from Latin America and the Caribbean declined. In 2020, exports totaled 175.9 million US dollars, down by 2.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 6.7%, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 179.8 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 4.4% occurring in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.4%	4.4%	(2.1%)	2.2%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017–2020, the United States, Portugal, and Spain emerged as the leading markets for fresh papaya exports in value terms. The United States held a 69.8% share, Portugal 5.5%, and Spain 4.6%. Combined, these three markets made up 79.8% of total export value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports fresh papayas to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, K t

Latin America and the Caribbean imported 2.9 thousand tons of fresh papayas in 2020, reflecting a significant year-on-year decrease of 21.7%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 2.8 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 3.7 thousand tons. The largest increase of 34.3% was recorded in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(5.2%)	34.3%	(21.7%)	(0.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the dominant source for fresh papaya imports in volume terms, accounting for 1.1% 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 Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year upward trend, fresh papaya import value in Latin America and the Caribbean fell. In 2020, imports amounted to 6.6 million US dollars, an 11.3% drop compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value rose by 28.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.7%. The highest value was in 2019 at 7.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 26.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	14.5%	26.4%	(11.3%)	8.7%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017–2020, the United States was the top supplier of fresh papayas to Latin America and the Caribbean in value terms, with a share of 9.1%.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io