Fresh papayas market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh papaya market in Western Asia showed strong growth in production from 25 500 t in 2018 to 44 300 t in 2023, which supported the overall market volume. Total market size reached a high of nearly 70 000 t in 2019 before a contraction in 2020.

Following the 2020 dip to 54 400 t, the market recovered over the next three years, returning to 66 400 t by 2023. This recovery occurred alongside a sustained reduction in import volumes, suggesting a growing reliance on domestic output.

In 2024, papayas began appearing in Alexandria markets via imports from Saudi Arabia, indicating the entry of new players and a shift in consumer preferences towards non-traditional tropical fruits due to their health benefits. Decades of local cultivation in Aswan continued to provide a foundation for domestic supply.

Production fresh papayas in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of fresh papayas, 2017-2020

World map of production of fresh papayas, 2017-2020

Western Asia's fresh papaya production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 34 630 tons of fresh papayas, marking a 13.8% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 25.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 7.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 25 500 tons, with the largest decline that year at 7.5%. In contrast, the biggest increase occurred in 2019, when production jumped by 19.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports fresh papayas from Western Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable pattern over the years. Export volumes varied significantly, with a 4.4-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2020. In 2020, Western Asia exported 534 tons of fresh papayas, representing a substantial increase of 281.2% from the year before. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, when exports fell by 59.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of fresh papayas from Western Asia were the United States, accounting for 4.3% of exports in kind, the Netherlands at 3.4%, and Afghanistan at 0.7%. Together, these three markets made up 8.4% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market experienced considerable volatility during this period. Export values fluctuated widely, with a 5.3-fold gap between the minimum in 2017 and the peak in 2020. In 2020, Western Asia exported fresh papayas worth 1 149 thousand US dollars, a rise of 120.2% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 27.6%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, when values surged by 234.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the three key markets for fresh papaya exports from Western Asia in value terms were the United States, the Netherlands, and Afghanistan. Together, they accounted for 20.2% of total export value.

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

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

Imports fresh papayas to Western Asia

Imports in kind, t

Import activity was marked by volatility over these years. The highest import volume was in 2019, while the lowest was in 2017, showing a 2-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Western Asia imported 20 350 tons of fresh papayas, a sharp decline of 48.1% year-over-year. The peak volume was recorded in 2019 at 39 205 tons, and the largest increase happened in 2018, with imports growing by 85.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sri Lanka and India were consistently the top sources for fresh papaya imports into Western Asia, together making up 85.3% of total imports in kind. This highlights a highly concentrated market with many smaller suppliers playing a minor role.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Western Asia's fresh papaya import value has decreased for two consecutive years. In 2020, imports totaled 21 118 thousand US dollars, down 16.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value fell by 14.6%, with an average annual decline of 5.1%. The highest value was in 2018 at 25 411 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase that year was 2.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, the leading sources for fresh papaya imports into Western Asia in value terms were India, with 39.1% of imports, Sri Lanka at 29.2%, and Thailand at 21.6%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 90.0% of total import value.

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

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