Market research

Melons and papayas market in El Salvador, 2026

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market for melons and papayas in El Salvador showed relative stability, with volumes remaining around 140 000 tons. The peak occurred in 2019 when market size reached 143 042 tons.

A sharp contraction followed in 2021, as the market volume fell by 17.6% to 114 917 tons. Partial recovery brought the volume to 127 618 tons in 2022, before a slight decline to 126 294 tons in 2023. During the 2022‑2023 agricultural cycle, adverse weather conditions—including extreme temperatures and rainfall—combined with a reduction in cultivated area, led to a significant drop in domestic production of melons and papayas, constraining overall supply.

The Association Agreement between Central America and the European Union provides duty‑free access for fresh melons, watermelons and papayas to the EU market, offering a framework for Salvadoran producers to expand exports.

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, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in El Salvador
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in El Salvador in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in El Salvador 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, 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, 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 El Salvador in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to El Salvador in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  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 El Salvador, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, $ 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 El Salvador in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to El Salvador in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  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 El Salvador, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, $ 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 El Salvador in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from El Salvador in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  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 El Salvador, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, $ 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 El Salvador in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from El Salvador in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  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 El Salvador, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, $ 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, 2018-2025
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 El Salvador

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of melons and papayas, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of melons and papayas, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

In 2021, El Salvador produced 30 400 tons of melons and papayas, marking a sharp year-over-year decline of 48.6%. Production decreased by 47.5% between 2018 and 2021, which translates to an annualized rate of 19.3%. The peak was recorded in 2020 at 59 182 tons, with the largest annual increase of 4.1% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in El Salvador in kind, 2018-2021, t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(1.8%)	4.1%	(48.6%)	(19.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports melons and papayas from El Salvador

Exports in kind, t

In 2019, El Salvador exported 1 ton of melons and papayas, representing a steep 99.5% decline compared to 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from El Salvador in kind, 2018-2021, t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(99.5%)	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Guatemala accounted for nearly all of El Salvador's melon and papaya exports in volume, holding a 99.5% share of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from El Salvador in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2019, cross-border shipments of melons and papayas from El Salvador amounted to 1 000 US dollars, which is 93.8% lower than in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from El Salvador in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(93.8%)	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2018 and 2021, the export value structure was dominated by a single market: Guatemala, with a 93.9% share of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from El Salvador in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports melons and papayas to El Salvador

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, foreign supplies of melons and papayas to El Salvador totaled 84 517 tons, showing a measured 5.2% increase from the previous year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2020 at 80 352 tons, while the maximum was in 2019 at 86 209 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a 6.8% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to El Salvador in kind, 2018-2021, t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.6%	(6.8%)	5.2%	0.5%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Guatemala and Honduras accounted for the bulk of imports in volume, jointly representing 100.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to El Salvador in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, El Salvador's melon and papaya imports amounted to 9 500 000 US dollars, reflecting a 3.4% gain from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 17.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 11 074 000 US dollars. The largest decline was in 2020, with a 17.0% decrease, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 37.4% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to El Salvador in value, 2018-2021, K $ US