Melons and papayas market in Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for melons and papayas in Egypt showed high volatility from 2018 through 2023. It began at 2 093 thousand metric tons in 2018 before contracting by 28% the following year to 1 511 thousand tons. The decline continued into 2020, with volume falling a further 17% to 1 254 thousand tons.

A turnaround began in 2021 as the market grew 17% to 1 463 thousand tons. Expansion accelerated sharply in 2022, with volume jumping 37% to 2 008 thousand tons, nearly matching the 2018 level. This recovery was short-lived, however, as the market plummeted 38% in 2023 to 1 251 thousand tons, the lowest point in the six-year period.

By 2024, several developments began shaping the market environment. The price of melons at Cairo's major Al-Obour wholesale market dropped in July, indicating shifts in local supply and demand. Concurrently, the Egyptian government and the United Nations started redeveloping the historic Attaba market, aiming to formalize vendor rights and regulate trade, which may influence fruit distribution channels. Consumer behavior also adjusted due to economic factors like the depreciation of the Egyptian pound against the dollar, affecting import costs.

Production melons and papayas in Egypt

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Egypt ranked as the world's 12th largest producer of melons and papayas.

Top producers of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

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

Egypt's production of melons and papayas fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1,264 thousand tonnes, marking a significant decline of 16.9% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, overall production dropped by 32.6%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 12.3%. The highest output was recorded in 2018 at 2,112 thousand tonnes. The sharpest decline occurred in 2019, with a 28.0% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 12.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of melons and papayas production in Egypt also declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 756 million US dollars, representing a solid decrease of 17.0% compared to the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value fell by 25.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.5%. The peak value was in 2018 at 1,265 million US dollars. The most significant drop was in 2019, at 27.9%, while the largest rise was in 2018, at 24.0%.

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

Exports melons and papayas from Egypt

Exports in kind, t

Egypt's exports of melons and papayas in volume terms decreased for the third straight year. In 2020, exports totaled 9,790 tonnes, showing a controlled decline of 4.5% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 75.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 37.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates were the top destinations for Egypt's melons and papayas exports in volume. Together, they accounted for 67.4% of total flows, with Kuwait leading at 43.0%, followed by Saudi Arabia at 16.5%, and the UAE at 7.9%.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Egypt's melons and papayas exports in value terms also declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 5,858 thousand US dollars, down by 4.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 72.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -35.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates were the three main markets for Egypt's melons and papayas exports in value, collectively representing 66.3% of total exports.

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

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

Imports melons and papayas to Egypt

Imports in kind, t

The import market for melons and papayas in Egypt showed volatility from 2017 to 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 17 tonnes, an 82.3% year-on-year drop, and peaked in 2018 at 97 tonnes. This resulted in a 5.7-fold swing between the two years. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 220.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and Spain were the primary sources for Egypt's melons and papayas imports in volume, together accounting for 21.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Egypt's melons and papayas import market exhibited an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. Imports hit a low in 2019 at 18 thousand US dollars, an 83.2% decrease from 2018, and a high in 2018 at 105 thousand US dollars, creating a 5.9-fold variation. The largest increase was in 2018, at 238.7%.

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

In 2017-2020, the leading sources for Egypt's melons and papayas imports in value were Germany, Spain, and Thailand. Together, they made up 21.7% of total flows, with Germany at 10.1%, Spain at 10.0%, and Thailand at 1.5%.

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

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