Melons and papayas market in ASEAN

Earlier Report Observations

The ASEAN fresh melon and papaya market volume in physical terms grew from 3 512 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 3 985 thousand tonnes in 2023, peaking at 4 050 thousand tonnes in 2020. In value terms, the market showed more volatility, starting at 1 951 million USD in 2018, dipping to 1 768 million USD in 2019, and then recovering to reach 2 130 million USD by 2023.

Market volume expansion in 2019 and 2020 was followed by a contraction in 2021 and stabilization in 2022, before growth resumed in 2023. The market value trajectory differed, with a significant drop in 2019, a partial recovery through 2020-2021, another decline in 2022, and a strong increase in 2023, suggesting shifts in pricing or consumption patterns.

For 2024, while complete market size data is unavailable, trade flows indicate imports rising to 206 thousand tonnes and exports to 199 thousand tonnes. The market context is shaped by global developments such as India's progress on disease-resistant papaya varieties and Brazil's export growth, alongside sustained consumer demand for healthy, convenient fresh fruit.

Production melons and papayas in ASEAN

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

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

ASEAN's production of melons and papayas has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 4 320 K t of these fruits, marking a 4.6% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 15%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of decline, melons and papayas production in ASEAN rebounded in value terms. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 999 M $ US, up 5.1% compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production value fell by 12.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 903 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 10.9% that year.

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

Exports melons and papayas from ASEAN

Exports in kind, K t

Melons and papayas exports from ASEAN declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 315.8 K t, a sharp decrease of 25.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports dropped by 21.8%, with an average annual decline of 7.9%. The peak was in 2018 at 431.8 K t, which also experienced the largest increase of 6.9% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China was the primary market for ASEAN's melons and papayas exports in volume terms, accounting for 79.7% of the total. Other destinations made up a smaller portion of the export structure.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Melons and papayas exports from ASEAN fell for the third year in a row in value terms. In 2020, exports amounted to 146.1 M $ US, a significant contraction of 25.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 40.4%, with an average annual decline of 15.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, China dominated ASEAN's melons and papayas exports in value, holding 81.9% of the total. The remaining share was distributed among various countries, each with smaller individual contributions.

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

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

Imports melons and papayas to ASEAN

Imports in kind, K t

ASEAN's imports of melons and papayas in volume terms dropped sharply in 2020, totaling 45.6 K t, a 37.9% decline from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 27.6%, with an average annual decline of 10.2%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 73.4 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 29.6% that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China and Australia were the main sources for ASEAN's melons and papayas imports in volume, together accounting for 21.9% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Melons and papayas imports into ASEAN increased for the second consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, imports totaled 60.2 M $ US, showing no change from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 2.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 51.5 M $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 12.4% that year, while 2019 saw the largest increase of 16.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the import structure for melons and papayas in ASEAN was highly diversified in value terms. China accounted for 26.1% of imports, Australia for 13.2%, and Japan for 2.4%, together making up 41.7% of total flows. The remaining 58.3% came from a wide range of smaller markets.

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

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