Market research

Melons and papayas market in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, melon and papaya production in the Democratic Republic of the Congo gradually declined from 210 thousand tons to 207 thousand tons. This was partly due to security challenges and the Ebola outbreak in North Kivu, which restrained output despite the restart of papaya cultivation in Beni. Concurrently, papaya gained traction as a poverty-alleviation crop in Kinshasa, with changing dietary habits and high yields supporting farm incomes.

Between 2021 and 2023, production stabilized, ranging from 208 thousand tons to 209 thousand tons. The market showed little volatility, with negligible trade flows. In 2023, papaya commercialization remained a key income source for families in Kinshasa, contributing to household food self-sufficiency.

For 2024, FAO-supported urban and peri-urban horticulture projects contribute to food security and income improvement, which are relevant to the fruit sector.

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 Democratic Republic of the Congo
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo 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. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, kg
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2024, kg
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, kg
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2024, $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, kg
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2024, kg
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, kg
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2024, $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Trade balance
1. 7.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. In kind, kg
  2. 7.1.2. In value, $ US
2. 7.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. In kind, kg
  2. 7.2.2. In value, $ US
8. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 8.1. Direct Data
  1. 8.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 8.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 8.2. Mirror Data
  1. 8.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 8.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production melons and papayas in Democratic Republic of the Congo

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

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, production of melons and papayas has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 206.7 thousand tonnes, a slight decrease of 0.8% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 2.4%, with an average annual decline of 0.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(0.8%)	(0.8%)	(0.8%)	(0.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports melons and papayas from Democratic Republic of the Congo

Market analysis indicates that the Democratic Republic of the Congo did not export any melons or papayas between 2017 and 2020.

Imports melons and papayas to Democratic Republic of the Congo

Imports in kind, kg

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019, then peaked in 2020 with a dramatic 8.1-fold increase. In 2020, foreign supplies of melons and papayas to the Democratic Republic of the Congo totaled 6 263 kg, surging by 707.1% compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	707.1%	18.6%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, imports in kind were dominated by two key markets: Uganda and South Africa. Together, they accounted for 100.0% of total imports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, $ US

In 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo imported melons and papayas worth 6 438 US dollars, a sharp increase of 469.8% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 2 498.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 196.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	469.8%	196.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017–2020, Uganda and South Africa were the core markets for imports in value terms, together making up 100.0% of total flows of melons and papayas to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io