Market research

Fresh papayas market in South America

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"South America" 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

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, papaya production in South America increased from 1 673 thousand tons to 1 929 thousand tons. This expansion was driven by the adoption of a traceability system and phytosanitary measures under the System Approach, which secured export market access. Concurrently, investments in cloned Tainung seedlings by companies like SBW enhanced planting efficiency and supported higher yields.

From 2021, production began to decline, falling to 1 815 thousand tons by 2023. Heavy rainfall in key growing regions during the 2022/23 summer reduced planted area and fruit quality, directly limiting output. This contraction in supply also affected export volumes, even as new destinations such as Chile opened for Brazilian papaya following phytosanitary audits.

In value terms, the market grew significantly, reaching $2.6 billion in 2023. Domestic price spikes, resulting from tight harvests and higher logistics costs, propelled the increase. Export growth to Europe and new markets like the United Arab Emirates, alongside ongoing regulatory updates for packaging and labeling, further boosted revenue despite the softer physical volume.

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 South America
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in South America 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, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Argentina 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, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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 Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina 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 Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Argentina 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, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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 Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina 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 Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Argentina 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, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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 Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina 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 Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Argentina 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, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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 Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina 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, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ 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 South America

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

South America's fresh papaya production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 1 929 K t of fresh papayas, marking an 11.2% year-over-year rise. Production grew by 12.4% between 2017 and 2020, averaging a 4.0% annual increase. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 673 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 2.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(2.5%)	3.7%	11.2%	4.0%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, South America's fresh papaya output was valued at 1 970 M $ US, up 4.3% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 3.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest value occurred in 2019 at 1 888 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 5.6%. In contrast, the highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 000 M $ US, with the largest increase of 4.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in South America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.8%	(5.6%)	4.3%	1.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports fresh papayas from South America

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, South America's fresh papaya export volume declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 42 326 t, down 4.3% from 2019. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 44 238 t, which also saw the largest increase of 3.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.4%	3.5%	(4.3%)	(0.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal, Spain, and Germany were the core markets for South America's fresh papaya exports in volume terms. Portugal accounted for 20.3% of exports, Spain for 16.9%, and Germany for 14.0%. Together, these three countries represented 51.2% 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 South America in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Fresh papaya exports from South America declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value totaled 43 213 K $ US, a 10.2% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 8.6%, averaging a 3.0% annual decline. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 51 108 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 8.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	8.0%	(5.8%)	(10.2%)	(3.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Portugal, Spain, and Germany were the main destinations for South America's fresh papaya exports in value terms. Portugal accounted for 19.9% of export value, Spain for 16.3%, and Germany for 13.9%. Collectively, these three markets absorbed 50.1% 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 South America in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports fresh papayas to South America

Imports in kind, t

South America's fresh papaya import volumes showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 404 t, which also saw the largest decline of 8.5%. By 2020, imports surged to 919 t, a 118.6% increase year-over-year, resulting in a 2.3-fold variation between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(8.5%)	4.1%	118.6%	27.7%

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

South America's fresh papaya import values experienced significant fluctuations. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 803 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 9.1%. In 2020, import value jumped to 1 956 K $ US, a 143.6% increase from the previous year, showing a 2.4-fold variation between the trough in 2019 and the peak in 2020.

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