Fresh papayas market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh papaya market in Northern Africa displayed a clear growth trajectory from 2018 to 2023, marked by a significant acceleration in the final year. Market volume rose from 2 043 t in 2018 to 2 310 t in 2019, then experienced a minor contraction in 2020 before stabilizing around 2 200 t through 2022. The most pronounced change occurred in 2023, with the market expanding sharply to 3 099 t.

This expansion was underpinned by a substantial increase in local production, which grew from 2 101 t to 3 187 t over the six-year period. Import levels remained consistently low, while export volumes were more variable, reaching a high of 166 t in 2020 before declining in subsequent years.

Production fresh papayas in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of fresh papayas, 2017-2020

World map of production of fresh papayas, 2017-2020

Northern Africa's fresh papaya production saw a decline after two consecutive years of growth. In 2020, the region produced 2,325 tonnes of fresh papayas, representing a slight decrease of 0.8% compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually increased by 30.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.2%. The peak production was recorded in 2019 at 2,344 tonnes, while the most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when output rose by 17.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports fresh papayas from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The export market for fresh papayas from Northern Africa showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2019, exports reached their lowest point at 36.0 tonnes, but then surged dramatically in 2020 to 166.2 tonnes—a remarkable 361.2% increase from the previous year. This created a 4.6-fold difference between the minimum in 2019 and the maximum in 2020. The most substantial decline was recorded in 2019, when exports fell by 42.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Northern Africa's fresh papaya exports were primarily directed to three key markets. Spain was the largest buyer, accounting for 57.9% of exports by volume, followed by the Netherlands with 13.3%, and Saudi Arabia with 7.7%. Together, these three countries represented 79.0% of all fresh papaya exports from the region during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values also exhibited significant fluctuations. The lowest point was recorded in 2017, while 2020 saw the peak at 262.7 thousand US dollars—a sharp increase of 282.3% compared to the previous year. Overall, export values varied by a factor of 4.5 between these extremes. The most pronounced decline occurred in 2019, when export values dropped by 53.9%.

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

In terms of export value from 2017 to 2020, Spain remained the dominant market with 57.3% of total exports, followed by the Netherlands at 15.0%, and Italy at 10.5%. These three countries collectively accounted for 82.8% of Northern Africa's fresh papaya export revenues during this timeframe.

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

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

Imports fresh papayas to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of fresh papayas into Northern Africa displayed irregular patterns, reflecting a volatile market environment. In 2019, imports hit their lowest level at just 2.0 tonnes, but then rebounded strongly in 2020 to reach 8.1 tonnes—a substantial increase of 306.5% compared to the previous year. This resulted in a 4.1-fold variation between the 2019 minimum and 2020 maximum. The most significant decline was recorded in 2019, when imports fell by 51.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Brazil was overwhelmingly the main source of fresh papaya imports into Northern Africa, accounting for 82.1% of total import volumes. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values of fresh papayas into Northern Africa increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 7.4 thousand US dollars—a growth of 114.9% compared to the previous year. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, import values rose by 144.5%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 34.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil was the leading source of fresh papaya imports by value, representing 63.5% of total import spending. Spain followed with 15.3%, and Thailand with 13.7%. Together, these three countries accounted for 92.5% of Northern Africa's fresh papaya import expenditures during this period.

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

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