Melons and papayas market in Europe, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The European market for fresh melons and papayas began the period at 9.5 million tons in 2018, with initial activity including the launch of the novel Limelon melon variety aimed at Spanish and later French and Portuguese markets, reflecting efforts to diversify supply. Consumer interest in papayas continued to grow, though from a smaller base. Despite these developments, the overall market volume entered a phase of gradual decline over the following years.

A more pronounced contraction occurred from 2021 onward, with the market volume falling to 8.2 million tons in 2022. This drop was influenced by extreme heatwaves in major producing countries like Spain, which forced an early harvest and shortened the growing season, directly reducing output. Concurrently, persistent air freight capacity shortages and broader supply chain disruptions, legacies of the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly constrained the import availability of papayas into Europe, tightening total supply. These challenges extended into 2023, where unfavorable weather conditions continued to affect melon production volumes.

Industry focus has since shifted toward resilience, with 2024 trends highlighting increased investment in sustainable production methods and stronger supply chains. Efforts are underway to develop more weather-resistant melon varieties and to reduce the carbon footprint associated with papaya imports, while digital sales channels gain importance for distribution.

Production melons and papayas in Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

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

Europe's production of melons and papayas has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 7 365 K t, which represents a 4.7% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 4.3%, with an average annual decline of 1.5%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 8 133 K t, marking a 5.6% increase that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest drop of 5.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of melons and papayas produced in Europe was 10 638 M $ US, showing a slight decline of 7.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 6.1%, averaging an annual drop of 2.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 9 680 M $ US, which was a 14.5% decrease. The highest value occurred in 2019 at 11 514 M $ US, reflecting a 19.0% increase.

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

Exports melons and papayas from Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Europe's exports of melons and papayas by volume reached 1 139 K t in 2020, up 11.3% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 24.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.6%. The peak export volume was in 2018 at 1 380 K t, which represented a 50.8% increase. However, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 25.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Switzerland and Norway together accounted for the largest share of exports by volume, making up 3.6% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Europe's exports of melons and papayas in value terms stood at 1 645 M $ US, showing a modest year-on-year increase of 7.9%. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 22.2%, with an average annual growth of 6.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 7.2%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 22.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland and Norway remained the key partner countries for Europe's exports of melons and papayas in value terms, jointly accounting for 5.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports melons and papayas to Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Europe's imports of melons and papayas by volume have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume totaled 3 005 K t, reflecting a 6.8% gain compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 42.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, imports of melons and papayas to Europe by volume were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. Brazil accounted for 12.8% of imports, Morocco for 7.9%, and Costa Rica for 4.0%, with these three countries together making up only 24.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Europe's imports of melons and papayas in value terms registered 2 510 M $ US, up 7.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 16.9%, averaging an annual growth of 5.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 521 M $ US, which was a 17.4% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 7.3%.

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

An analysis of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 shows a broad distribution across many markets. Brazil accounted for 17.2% of imports, Morocco for 8.6%, and Costa Rica for 5.0%, with these three countries together making up only 30.8% of total flows. The remaining 69.2% was distributed among other partners.

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

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