Melons and papayas market in Argentina

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh melons and papayas in Argentina expanded from 211 thousand tons in 2018 to 220 thousand tons in 2021. This growth occurred alongside regulatory modernization, including updates to the Argentine Food Code that set stricter packaging and labeling standards for fresh produce, potentially affecting melons and papayas. Concurrent debates on updating the long-standing Seed Law aimed to improve the regulatory framework for agricultural production. In 2021, legislative proposals to promote export-oriented agribusiness and add value to agricultural products further supported the market's upward trend.

From 2022, the market volume contracted, falling to 211 thousand tons by 2023. Adverse climatic factors, such as high temperatures, abundant rains, and hail, negatively impacted horticultural production, including melons and papayas, leading to supply fluctuations. During this period, SENASA's modernization of fruit production and commercial norms, emphasizing traceability and phytosanitary standards, continued to shape market quality. New supply sources emerged, including greenhouse melons from Salta province and drip-irrigation projects for tropical fruits in Formosa, diversifying the domestic offer despite the overall market decline.

Production melons and papayas in Argentina

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

World map of production of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

Argentina's production of melons and papayas has declined for the third year in a row. In 2019, output remained nearly unchanged from the previous year, with 2020 production reaching 206.6 thousand tonnes.

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

Exports melons and papayas from Argentina

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 38-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Argentina's shipments of melons and papayas abroad totaled 399 tonnes, marking a dramatic 3 696.3% increase compared to 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina's exports in volume terms were heavily concentrated on Paraguay, which accounted for 76.4% of total flows. The remaining volume was distributed among other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Argentina's melons and papayas exports were valued at 68 thousand US dollars, up 116.9% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 284.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 56.7%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Chile and Paraguay together accounted for 89.5% of Argentina's total export value for melons and papayas. The rest was spread across other destinations, each with smaller individual shares.

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

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

Imports melons and papayas to Argentina

Imports in kind, t

The import market displayed volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 4 111 tonnes and peaked in 2020, showing a 3.1-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Argentina's melons and papayas import volumes totaled 12 749 tonnes, a 196.7% increase from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 13.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina's imports in volume terms were entirely focused on Brazil, which represented 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market showed an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. Imports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 1 146 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2020, with a 5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Argentina's melons and papayas imports were valued at 5 697 thousand US dollars, a sharp 397.2% rise from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, dropping by 41.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Brazil was the overwhelmingly dominant supplier of melons and papayas to Argentina, accounting for 100.0% of total import value.

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

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