Market research

Melons and papayas market in Cuba

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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Earlier Report Observations

Cuban melon and papaya production began the period at 303 thousand tons in 2018, supported by government efforts to stimulate direct sales to tourism and import substitution programs, though the sector's underlying dependence on imported seeds and fertilizers posed a structural challenge. Output remained near 301 thousand tons in 2019 as new projects sought foreign investment to boost fresh fruit production and infrastructure.

A sharp and sustained decline commenced in 2020, with production falling to 264 thousand tons and then collapsing to 182 thousand tons in 2021. This was driven by extreme food inflation reaching 400-700%, a direct consequence of the failed 'Tarea Ordenamiento' economic reform. The inflation crisis was fueled by severe domestic production shortages, skyrocketing transport costs, and the distorting effect of the informal currency market on import prices.

The downward trajectory continued, with output dropping to 173 thousand tons in 2022 and 139 thousand tons in 2023 amid persistent inflationary pressure, international sanctions, and a chronic lack of agricultural investment. The market structure was simultaneously reshaped by the rapid emergence of private micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). In 2024, constraints on production capacity were sustained as imports of critical fertilizers and pesticides continued to be hampered by global price surges linked to the war in Ukraine.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Cuba
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Cuba in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Cuba in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cuba in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cuba by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cuba in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cuba by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cuba, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cuba by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cuba in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cuba by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cuba in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cuba by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cuba, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cuba by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cuba in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cuba by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cuba in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cuba by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cuba, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cuba by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cuba in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cuba by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cuba in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cuba by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cuba, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cuba by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production melons and papayas in Cuba

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Cuba's production of melons and papayas has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 264.4 thousand tonnes, marking a significant year-on-year decrease of 12.1%. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 18.6%, which translates to an annualized decline of 6.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(6.8%)	(0.7%)	(12.1%)	(6.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports melons and papayas from Cuba

Exports in kind, t

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, exports of melons and papayas from Cuba were dominated by two markets: Dominica and Mexico. Together, they accounted for 100.0% of total export volumes.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

In value terms, Mexico and Dominica were the two main destinations for Cuba's melons and papayas exports from 2017 to 2020, each representing 50.0% of total flows. Combined, they made up 100.0% of export value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports melons and papayas to Cuba

Imports in kind, t

The import market for melons and papayas in Cuba showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2018, imports hit their lowest point at 6.4 tonnes, then surged to a peak of 234.7 tonnes in 2019—a 37-fold increase. By 2020, import volume dropped to 46.0 tonnes, which is 80.4% lower than in 2019. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 3 577.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(71.6%)	3 577.5%	(80.4%)	27.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Costa Rica and Mexico were the top two sources for Cuba's imports of melons and papayas in volume terms, together accounting for 99.9% of total imports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values for melons and papayas in Cuba exhibited significant fluctuations, reflecting a volatile market. In 2018, the value was at its minimum of 9.2 thousand US dollars, then rose sharply to a maximum of 480.5 thousand US dollars in 2019—a 52-fold rise. In 2020, imports fell to 74.5 thousand US dollars, representing an 84.5% drop compared to 2019. The most substantial increase was recorded in 2019, with a growth of 5 142.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(73.5%)	5 142.2%	(84.5%)	29.1%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico and Costa Rica were the primary suppliers of melons and papayas to Cuba in value terms, jointly making up 99.9% of total import value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io