Melons and papayas market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

The domestic market for fresh melons and papayas in Costa Rica experienced significant volatility between 2018 and 2023. After a sharp contraction in 2019, when the market volume fell to 36.4 thousand tons from 105.0 thousand tons the previous year, the sector began a gradual recovery. This initial drop coincided with the country's consolidation as Central America's leading exporter of fresh fruits and vegetables, which directed more production toward international markets.

Market volume rebounded to 60.8 thousand tons by 2021, supported by a decline in export volumes that made more product available domestically. In 2022, the detection of pesticide residues in melons bound for Germany highlighted quality control challenges, coinciding with new regional technical regulations for fresh fruits that aimed to standardize safety and quality requirements. These developments occurred as the market volume saw a slight decrease to 53.8 thousand tons.

The market expanded again to 61.8 thousand tons in 2023. This growth was supported by active participation in international trade fairs like Fruit Attraction in Madrid and the efficient logistics network operated by key players such as Melones del Sol and Pura Vida Melons, which helped maintain the flow of goods to both export and domestic markets.

Production melons and papayas in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

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

Costa Rica's production of melons and papayas has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 196.9 thousand tons of these fruits, marking a 7.7% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 38.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 15.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of melons and papayas production in Costa Rica has also dropped for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 94.0 million US dollars, showing a significant decrease of 10.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value declined by 45.3%, with an average annual rate of 18.2%.

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

Exports melons and papayas from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Costa Rica exported 149.4 thousand tons of melons and papayas, which was 15.9% lower than in the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 13.7%, with an average annual decline of 4.8%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 177.6 thousand tons, with a 3.0% increase that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Costa Rica's melons and papayas exports by volume were the Netherlands, accounting for 37.1% of exports, the United States with 33.3%, and the United Kingdom at 12.3%. Together, these three countries represented 82.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Costa Rica's melons and papayas exports in value terms have fallen for the third year running. In 2020, exports totaled 71 327 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp reduction of 18.3% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, export value dropped by 22.8%, with an average annual decrease of 8.3%.

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

During 2017-2020, the leading markets for Costa Rica's melons and papayas exports by value were the Netherlands, which took 39.3% of exports, the United States with 29.6%, and the United Kingdom at 12.2%. Combined, these destinations made up 81.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports melons and papayas to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, K t

Costa Rica's imports of melons and papayas have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported a total of value_last_year thousand tons, indicating a substantial drop of 19.5% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports plummeted by 72.8%, with an average annual decline of 35.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the import pattern for melons and papayas in Costa Rica showed a heavy reliance on Nicaragua, which accounted for 100.0% of all imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Costa Rica's imports of melons and papayas in value terms saw an increase. In 2020, imports amounted to 43 thousand US dollars, rising sharply by 28.9% compared to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, import value decreased by 65.4%, with an average annual decline of 29.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 34 thousand US dollars, when imports fell by 63.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nicaragua was overwhelmingly the main source for Costa Rica's melons and papayas imports by value, representing 99.8% of total import flows.

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

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