Melons and papayas market in Canada

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the Canadian fresh melon and papaya market operated under new regulatory frameworks, including the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations which set safety, labeling, and packaging standards for both imported and domestic produce. These rules, updated in 2019 to remain in force until 2025, provided a stable regulatory environment, though market volume fluctuated, declining from 445 thousand tons in 2018 to 422 thousand tons in 2020.

The market expanded to 450 thousand tons in 2021 as consumer preferences shifted towards fresh and healthy foods, particularly locally sourced products. However, in 2022, volume dropped to 402 thousand tons due to price increases driven by adverse weather, labor shortages, supply chain issues, and global events such as the war in Ukraine.

A recovery to 442 thousand tons occurred in 2023, supported by the ongoing trend for organic and sustainable produce and growth in local production, which reached 50 thousand tons. Additionally, the 2022 passage of the Financial Protection for Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Farmers Act (Bill C-280) helped secure financial safeguards for domestic growers.

Production melons and papayas in Canada

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Canada produced 44 620 tons of melons and papayas, marking a slight decline of 1.7% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 3.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 43 086 tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 45 414 tons. The most significant year-over-year increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 5.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Canada in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Canada's melons and papayas production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 15 402 thousand US dollars, representing a modest decrease of 3.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 2.4%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 18 638 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 14.6%, while the most substantial increase was in 2018, rising by 24.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Canada in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports melons and papayas from Canada

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 0.6 thousand tons, then peaked in 2019 at 1.5 thousand tons—a swing of 2.4 times between these years. In 2020, melons and papayas volumes exported from Canada totaled 0.8 thousand tons, reflecting a sharp drop of 45.4% from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 54.2%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2019, rising by 142.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States remained the dominant and nearly exclusive destination for Canada's melons and papayas exports in volume terms, accounting for 98.9% of the total.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 0.3 million US dollars, then reached their peak in 2019 at 0.5 million US dollars—a difference of 2 times between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of melons and papayas from Canada amounted to 0.3 million US dollars, marking a sharp drop of 46.3% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, rising by 96.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, virtually all exports of melons and papayas from Canada in value terms were associated with the United States, which accounted for 95.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports melons and papayas to Canada

Imports in kind, K t

Melons and papayas imports to Canada declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Canada imported 377.8 thousand tons, constituting a small drop of 2.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 2.5%, with an average annual decline of 0.8%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 403.0 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 3.7%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, rising by 4.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (47.8% of imports in volume terms), Mexico (25.3%), and Guatemala (13.7%) together accounted for 86.8% of total melons and papayas imports to Canada, making them the main sources.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, melons and papayas imports to Canada amounted to 230.7 million US dollars, remaining broadly stable year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 4.4%, equating to an average annual decline of 1.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 230.7 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 3.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States (47.9% of imports in value terms), Mexico (23.6%), and Guatemala (14.8%) formed the core of melons and papayas imports to Canada, together accounting for 86.3% of total flows.

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

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