Melons and papayas market in Australia and New Zealand

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh melons and papayas in Australia and New Zealand saw fluctuating volumes from 396 thousand tons in 2018 to 411 thousand tons in 2023, peaking at 424 thousand tons in 2022. In value terms, the market expanded significantly, rising from 443 million USD in 2018 to 569 million USD in 2023, with a sharp increase in 2020.

The introduction of a Food Safety Best Practices Guide for Mexican papaya in 2020 raised quality standards and likely contributed to higher product values, even as physical volume growth was modest. This period also saw Australian papaya production shift toward higher-value output, with a 28% rise in value despite a 7% drop in tonnage. From 2021 to 2022, growing health consciousness boosted demand for digestion-friendly fruits like papaya, while advanced ripening technologies enabled faster delivery of ready-to-eat fruit, encouraging more frequent purchases.

However, rising global air freight costs increased retail prices, supporting market value growth. In 2023, persistent global supply chain disruptions and high freight expenses contributed to a decline in both market volume and value, as availability tightened and consumers adjusted to elevated prices.

Production melons and papayas in Australia and New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of melons and papayas, 2018-2021

World map of production of melons and papayas, 2018-2021

Australia and New Zealand have seen their melons and papayas production grow for the second year in a row. In 2021, production reached 425.1 thousand tonnes, marking a 3.9% increase from the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 392.7 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 6.0%. The most significant increase occurred in 2020, with production rising by 4.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

The value of melons and papayas production in Australia and New Zealand has increased for two consecutive years. In 2021, output was valued at 624.1 million US dollars, representing a substantial 10.9% rise compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production value grew by 36%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 10.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 435.9 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 5.0%. The most notable increase happened in 2020, with a 29.1% jump.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports melons and papayas from Australia and New Zealand

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, exports of melons and papayas from Australia and New Zealand reached 16 159 tonnes, showing a significant 11.1% increase from the previous year. However, between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 28.6%, averaging an annual decline of 10.6%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 14 550 tonnes, which saw the largest drop of 48.7%. The highest export volume occurred in 2019 at 28 375 tonnes, with the largest increase of 25.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and Japan were the key export partners for melons and papayas from Australia and New Zealand. Singapore accounted for 26.5% of exports in kind, the United Arab Emirates for 22.6%, and Japan for 16.1%. Together, these three markets represented 65.2% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Australia and New Zealand exported melons and papayas worth 23 724 thousand US dollars, an 18.6% increase from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, however, export value decreased by 4.5%, with an annualized decline of 1.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 20 004 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest drop of 36.5%. The highest value was in 2019 at 31 499 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 26.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, and Japan were the primary buyers of melons and papayas from Australia and New Zealand in value terms. The United Arab Emirates accounted for 23.7% of exports, Singapore for 21.2%, and Japan for 17.7%. Collectively, these three countries made up 62.5% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021

Imports melons and papayas to Australia and New Zealand

Imports in kind, t

The import market for melons and papayas in Australia and New Zealand showed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2021. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 880 tonnes and peaked in 2019 at 12 629 tonnes, with a 14.4-fold difference between these years. In 2021, imports surged to 5 567 tonnes, a dramatic 532.7% increase from 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2020, falling by 93.0%, while the most significant increase was in 2019, rising by 1 327.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the Philippines, Tonga, and Fiji were the main sources of melons and papayas imports to Australia and New Zealand. The Philippines accounted for 9.6% of imports in kind, Tonga for 5.5%, and Fiji for 4.1%. Together, these three countries contributed 19.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market for melons and papayas in Australia and New Zealand exhibited volatility during the observed period. Imports dropped to their lowest in 2020 at 1 656 thousand US dollars and reached their highest in 2019 at 10 261 thousand US dollars, with a 6.2-fold difference. In 2021, import value rose to 5 397 thousand US dollars, a 225.9% increase from 2020. The largest decline was in 2020, falling by 83.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018 to 2021, the Philippines, Fiji, and Tonga were the core markets for melons and papayas imports to Australia and New Zealand in value terms. The Philippines accounted for 12.2% of imports, Fiji for 8.5%, and Tonga for 4.8%. Combined, these three countries represented 25.5% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021