Market research

Melons and papayas market in Eastern Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

Report language:

Report language:

Submission method: to your account

File format: docx, xlsx

Single Report

$500

Instant access to detailed data on one specific market
Ideal for one-off tasks: niche assessments, presentations, investment decisions
Available in Excel and Word in 15 minutes after purchase
Cheaper than subscription, but each market requires a separate purchase

Best if you know exactly what you need

Buy a single report

Platform Subscription

from$600

Complete and unlimited data access across products and regions
Includes continuous data updates during subscription period
Download reports instantly in Word, and Excel formats
More cost-effective for multiple markets or regular analysis

Ideal for regular data users

View pricing plans

"Eastern Africa" region includes following countries:

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh melons and papayas in Eastern Africa experienced substantial growth from 2018 to 2020, with volume increasing from 645.2 thousand tons to 989.2 thousand tons. This expansion was followed by a consistent decline over the next three years, bringing the market size down to 827.3 thousand tons by 2023.

Regional context for the fruit sector includes high post-harvest losses, reported at up to 56% for fresh fruits, which regularly constrain effective supply to the market. Concurrently, consumer preferences across the region have been shifting towards fresh, healthy, and organic produce, a trend that supports long-term demand for fruits like melons and papayas.

While specific annual drivers for the observed fluctuations are not detailed in available sources, the overall market trajectory shows a clear cycle of rapid growth and subsequent correction, against a backdrop of structural supply challenges and evolving consumption patterns.

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 Eastern Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
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, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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 British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory 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, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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 British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory 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 Eastern Africa

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

Eastern Africa's production of melons and papayas has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 996.4 thousand tonnes, marking a significant 18.0% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production surged by 80%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 21.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	16.5%	30.9%	18.0%	21.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports melons and papayas from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Exports of melons and papayas from Eastern Africa have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 8 939 tonnes, showing a sharp 46.6% jump compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 83.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 22.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 276 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 12.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(12.0%)	42.6%	46.6%	22.5%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and the Netherlands were the top buyers of melons and papayas from Eastern Africa. South Africa accounted for 22.2% of exports in kind, the United Arab Emirates for 0.8%, and the Netherlands for 0.7%. Together, these three markets represented 23.7% of total exports in kind.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of melons and papayas exports from Eastern Africa has increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value totaled 6 270 thousand US dollars, up by 27.2% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports in value terms rose by 147.9%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 35.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	38.9%	40.4%	27.2%	35.3%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017-2020, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and the Netherlands emerged as the leading markets for exports in value terms. South Africa held 48.6% of exports in value, the United Arab Emirates 1.4%, and the Netherlands 1.3%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 51.2% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports melons and papayas to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Imports of melons and papayas into Eastern Africa have fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 1 752 tonnes, down by 48.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 44.7%, with a compound annual decline rate of 17.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 167 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 31.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	31.5%	(17.9%)	(48.8%)	(17.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the sources of imports in kind for Eastern Africa were diverse, with no single partner dominating. South Africa contributed 12.4% of imports in kind, Egypt 5.5%, and the United Arab Emirates 1.4%. Together, these three countries made up just 19.2% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of melons and papayas imports into Eastern Africa has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, import value was 2 399 thousand US dollars, reflecting a dramatic 46.2% drop compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports in value terms fell by 39.9%, with an average annual decline rate of 15.6%. The peak import value occurred in 2018 at 4 691 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 17.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	17.6%	(5.0%)	(46.2%)	(15.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

In 2017-2020, South Africa, Egypt, and Australia were the primary suppliers of melons and papayas to Eastern Africa in value terms. South Africa accounted for 35.7% of imports in value, Egypt for 18.1%, and Australia for 5.6%. Collectively, these three suppliers represented 59.4% of total imports in value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io