Melons and papayas market in Côte d'Ivoire

Earlier Report Observations

The melons and papayas market in Côte d'Ivoire began its growth from 2018, supported by rising local demand for fresh fruits driven by rapid urban population growth, particularly in Abidjan. During this period, the state intervened to facilitate the sector's development by establishing a technology demonstration center aimed at promoting the installation of industrial processing units, although low industrialization levels with a shortage of local processing capacity remained a constraint.

Market volume continued to expand through 2020 before a slight dip in 2021. Growth resumed in 2022 as ongoing efforts to improve local fruit processing and reduce post-harvest losses, estimated at 15% annually, helped enhance the supply of fruit available for consumption.

A notable surge brought the market to 15 300 t in 2023. This increase coincided with rising melon seed prices and a trend of higher export prices, which improved profitability for local growers and encouraged production, even as extreme weather conditions posed challenges to fruit yields.

Production melons and papayas in Côte d'Ivoire

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

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

Côte d'Ivoire's production of melons and papayas has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 14 902 tonnes, marking a slight increase of 1.3% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 5%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of melons and papayas production in Côte d'Ivoire was 948 thousand US dollars, representing a year-on-year decline of 6.1%. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 7.1%, which translates to an annualized rate of 2.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 814 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 1 009 thousand US dollars. The largest decrease occurred in 2018 at 8.0%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 23.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports melons and papayas from Côte d'Ivoire

Exports in kind, t

Côte d'Ivoire's export volume of melons and papayas has fallen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 692 tonnes, showing a notable reduction of 16.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 33.9%, with an annualized decline rate of 12.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, nearly all of Côte d'Ivoire's melons and papayas exports in volume terms went to Mali, which accounted for 91.3% of total exports.

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

World map of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Côte d'Ivoire's export value of melons and papayas has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 44.0 thousand US dollars, reflecting a strong year-on-year drop of 22.4%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 32.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -12.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Mali remained the primary destination for Côte d'Ivoire's melons and papayas in value terms, making up 72.0% of total exports, while other markets played a much smaller role.

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

World map of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020

Imports melons and papayas to Côte d'Ivoire

Imports in kind, t

The import market for melons and papayas in Côte d'Ivoire showed volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 303 tonnes, indicating a 21.0% increase from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.9%, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 109.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Burkina Faso (33.9% of import volume), Morocco (23.3%), and Ghana (10.8%) were the top sources for melons and papayas imports into Côte d'Ivoire, together accounting for 67.9% of total imports.

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

World map of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Côte d'Ivoire's import value of melons and papayas has risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 374.0 thousand US dollars, representing an 86.4% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 264.5%, with an annualized growth rate of 53.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Senegal (44.3% of import value), Morocco (16.7%), and Spain (9.0%) formed the key group of partners for melons and papayas imports into Côte d'Ivoire, jointly representing 70.1% of total import value.

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

World map of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020