Melons and papayas market in ECOWAS

Earlier Report Observations

The ECOWAS market for melons and papayas showed strong growth from 2018 to 2020, with volume rising from 2 684 thousand tons to 3 541 thousand tons. This expansion was supported by the continued influence of the Economic Community of West Africa Agricultural Policy (ECOWAP), which promoted regional agricultural development. In 2020, the development of local storage facilities and proximity stock management further boosted the market by reducing post-harvest losses and improving supply chain efficiency.

After a decline to 3 350 thousand tons in 2021, the market stabilized in 2022, aided by the launch of the ECOWAS Regional Trade Facilitation Committee and other initiatives aimed at improving intra-regional trade flows and regulatory harmonization. By 2023, market volume experienced a slight increase to 3 393 thousand tons, reflecting a period of consolidation.

Production melons and papayas in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

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

ECOWAS has seen its production of melons and papayas grow for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 3 570 thousand tonnes, representing a significant 21.5% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 110.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 28.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market showed an unstable pattern over the observed period. Production volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with the peak being 2.3 times higher than the trough. In 2020, the output of melons and papayas in ECOWAS was valued at 2 564 million US dollars, reflecting a 34.1% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 3.1%, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2018, at 79.6%.

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

Exports melons and papayas from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, ECOWAS exported 30 687 tonnes of melons and papayas, marking a robust decrease of 14.2% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 5.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.8%. The lowest export volume was in 2018, at 23 866 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019, at 35 759 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 17.9%, and the largest increase was in 2019, at 49.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain was the dominant destination for exports in kind, accounting for 70.3% of total flows, with a fragmented group of other markets making up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, ECOWAS exported 22 036 thousand US dollars worth of melons and papayas, corresponding to a moderate decrease of 5.2% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 17.1%, which averages out to an annual growth rate of 5.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018, at 17 401 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019, at 23 253 thousand US dollars. The largest decline happened in 2018, at 7.5%, and the largest increase occurred in 2019, at 33.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports of melons and papayas from ECOWAS in value terms were primarily directed towards Spain and France, with their combined share reaching 80.6% of total flows, while other destinations played a secondary role.

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

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

Imports melons and papayas to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, t

Melons and papayas imports into ECOWAS have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 1 439 tonnes, showing a substantial drop of 10.9% year-on-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 47.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -19.3%.

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

The market base for imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was broad, with Morocco (11.2% of imports in kind), Portugal (10.0%), and Spain (7.3%) together accounting for just 28.6% of total flows, while the remaining 71.4% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

ECOWAS's imports of melons and papayas have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 1 246 thousand US dollars, which is 30.0% lower than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 21%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018, at 1 799 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 14.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal (37.7% of imports in value terms), Spain (27.4%), and Morocco (5.3%) were the largest suppliers of melons and papayas to ECOWAS, together forming 70.5% of total imports in value terms.

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

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