Melons and papayas market in Cyprus

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh melons and papayas in Cyprus experienced a steady decline in volume from 24 193 tonnes in 2018 to 17 095 tonnes in 2023. In the initial years, papaya began to appear more frequently as an exotic fruit, with cultivation developing in villages of Paphos, while melons and watermelons remained popular summer staples without major production expansions.

The downward trend accelerated from 2021 onward. Significant price increases for basic consumer products due to inflation in 2022 and 2023 raised costs and likely dampened consumer demand for fresh fruits. Legislative changes in taxation and VAT that year further impacted the broader food market, contributing to the contraction. Although health and natural product trends supported papaya's presence, it remained a niche segment.

Local cultivation of papaya and mango continued in Paphos through 2024, with domestic production competing against imports. The European Commission's proposed revision of agri-food marketing standards may introduce future changes to the fruit market in Cyprus, though no new large production facilities for melons or papayas were reported.

Production melons and papayas in Cyprus

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

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

Melon and papaya production in Cyprus declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production totaled 21,790 tonnes, showing no significant change from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 7.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 23,970 tonnes, which represented a 1.3% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with an 8.6% drop.

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

Exports melons and papayas from Cyprus

Exports in kind, t

Melon and papaya exports from Cyprus declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 23.6 tonnes, marking a sharp decrease of 34.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 28.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.4%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 37.9 tonnes, which represented a 15.4% increase from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom and Greece were the two leading export markets, together accounting for 83.0% of total export volumes. The remaining exports were distributed across a wide range of other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in export performance during this period. In 2020, melon and papaya exports from Cyprus reached 13.4 thousand US dollars, which is 70.3% lower than in 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 13.4%. Import levels varied significantly, with a 4.2-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom remained the dominant export destination in value terms, accounting for 74.3% of total export flows. The remainder was fragmented across other markets.

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

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

Imports melons and papayas to Cyprus

Imports in kind, t

There were noticeable fluctuations in import performance during this period. In 2020, melon and papaya imports into Cyprus amounted to 361.1 tonnes, marking a decrease of 30.6% compared to 2019. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 261.4 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2019 at 520.4 tonnes, representing a 99.1% increase from the previous year. Import levels varied, with a 2-fold difference between the high in 2019 and the low in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece, the Netherlands, and Germany were the largest sources of imports in volume terms, accounting for 36.0%, 31.0%, and 20.1% of total imports, respectively. Together, these three countries comprised 87.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Cyprus imported 346.1 thousand US dollars worth of melons and papayas, marking a sharp decline of 26.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 16.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.7%. The minimum import value was recorded in 2018 at 325.4 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 471.1 thousand US dollars, representing a 44.8% increase from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and Greece were the main suppliers of melons and papayas to Cyprus in value terms, accounting for 38.1%, 28.4%, and 19.8% of total imports, respectively. Together, these three countries comprised 86.4% of total import value.

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

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