Melons and papayas market in Dominican Republic

Earlier Report Observations

The market for melons and papayas in the Dominican Republic saw its volume rise from 1 432 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 642 thousand tons in 2019. A contraction to 1 550 thousand tons followed in 2020, primarily due to adverse weather conditions, including hurricanes and droughts that had impacted agriculture since 2017, alongside rising production costs which constrained output.

From 2021, the market entered a sustained expansion, reaching 2 455 thousand tons by 2023. This growth was driven by strategic government plans to bolster national food supply, which encouraged production increases. The sector's adoption of new agricultural technologies and responsiveness to international demand enhanced productivity. Concurrently, the implementation of new front-of-pack nutritional warning labels (EFAN) and updated Dominican packaging standards (NORDOM 53) reshaped the market landscape, aligning with healthier consumption trends.

Production melons and papayas in Dominican Republic

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the Dominican Republic ranked as the 16th largest global producer of melons and papayas, establishing itself among the world's leading producers of these fruits.

Top producers of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

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

Melons and papayas production in the Dominican Republic grew for two consecutive years before declining in 2020. That year, output reached 1 552 K t, marking a 5.7% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 22.1%, averaging an annual growth rate of 6.9%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 1 646 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 14.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year upward trend, the value of melons and papayas production in the Dominican Republic fell in 2020. Output was valued at 1 540 M $ US, representing a significant 14.8% drop compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value rose by 3.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.0%. The highest value occurred in 2019 at 1 808 M $ US, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 10.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Dominican Republic in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports melons and papayas from Dominican Republic

Exports in kind, t

Melons and papayas exports from the Dominican Republic declined for the second year in a row in 2020. Export volume totaled 2 627 t, showing a sharp 24.3% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 26%, averaging an annual decline of 9.5%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 4 197 t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 18.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Haiti, and France were the main buyers of melons and papayas from the Dominican Republic. The United States accounted for 54.5% of exports in kind, Haiti for 13.2%, and France for 12.6%. Together, these three countries represented 80.3% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of melons and papayas exports from the Dominican Republic decreased for the second consecutive year in 2020. Export value reached 2 607 K $ US, reflecting a 31.6% decline from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 37.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -14.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 785 K $ US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 14.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States, France, and Haiti remained the top buyers of melons and papayas from the Dominican Republic in value terms. The United States held 45.2% of export value, France 27.1%, and Haiti 8.3%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 80.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports melons and papayas to Dominican Republic

Imports in kind, t

Melons and papayas imports into the Dominican Republic showed notable fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. Import volumes varied significantly, with a 15-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2018. In 2020, imports amounted to 120 t, a 35.4% increase year-over-year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 57 t, which also saw the largest annual decline of 93.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 53.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala, the United States, and Chile were the primary suppliers of melons and papayas to the Dominican Republic in kind. Guatemala accounted for 20.1% of imports, the United States for 2.1%, and Chile for 0.6%. Together, these three countries represented 22.9% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of melons and papayas imports into the Dominican Republic exhibited volatility from 2017 to 2020. Imports peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2019, with a 14.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, import value totaled 66 K $ US, up 30.9% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 50 K $ US, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 93.1%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Guatemala, the United States, and Chile led in supplying melons and papayas to the Dominican Republic in value terms. Guatemala accounted for 13.8% of import value, the United States for 2.8%, and Chile for 1.0%. Collectively, these three countries represented 17.5% of total import value.

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

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