Melons and papayas market in Guatemala

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, domestic market volume for fresh melons and papayas in Guatemala grew by 35% to 439 thousand tons. This increase was supported by sectoral policies that provided market opportunities, financing, and technology to growers, boosting production. The following year, market volume dipped slightly to 424 thousand tons as heightened international demand for immunity-boosting exotic fruits during the pandemic redirected more output to export channels.

The market reached a peak of 488 thousand tons in 2021, aided by industry events and conferences that strengthened the production chain and encouraged agricultural industrialization. However, in 2022, volume fell sharply by 30% to 340 thousand tons. This decline was primarily due to cold fronts and low temperatures that reduced harvests, combined with the opening of new export destinations like Israel, which increased overseas shipments.

In 2023, the market recovered to 390 thousand tons. Production rose as growers benefited from the enhanced reputation of Guatemalan melon quality in key markets and from regulatory measures that enabled tariff-free exports of fresh produce, including papaya, to the United States.

Production melons and papayas in Guatemala

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala ranked as the 22nd largest producer of melons and papayas globally.

Top producers of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

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

Guatemala's production of melons and papayas grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 934.4 thousand tonnes, marking a gradual increase of 3.2% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 13.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 4.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of Guatemala's melons and papayas production declined. In 2020, output was valued at 347.5 million US dollars, showing a controlled decrease of 3.3% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 17%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4%. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 359.4 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year of 16.2%.

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

Exports melons and papayas from Guatemala

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Guatemala's exports of melons and papayas rebounded. In 2020, exports reached 511.7 thousand tonnes, up by 9.4% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 4.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 1.7%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 467.9 thousand tonnes, with the largest drop that year of 11.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States was the primary market for Guatemala's melons and papayas exports in volume terms, accounting for 87.2% of total flows. The remaining volume was distributed among various other destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year downturn, Guatemala's melons and papayas exports in value terms increased. In 2020, exports were recorded at 190.3 million US dollars, up by 2.4% from 2019. The lowest value was in 2019 at 185.8 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year of 3.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States remained the dominant and nearly exclusive destination for Guatemala's melons and papayas exports in value terms, holding a 96.0% share.

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

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

Imports melons and papayas to Guatemala

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Guatemala's imports of melons and papayas in volume terms rose. In 2020, imports totaled 1.3 thousand tonnes, increasing by 4.7% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 25.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -9.2%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 1.2 thousand tonnes, with the largest drop that year of 18.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Honduras was the leading source for Guatemala's melons and papayas imports in volume terms, accounting for 81.3% of total flows, while the remainder was spread across other partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, Guatemala's imports of melons and papayas in value terms surged. In 2020, imports amounted to 0.1 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp rise of 64.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 65.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -29.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 0.1 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year of 59.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (36.8% of imports in value terms), Honduras (30.5%), and Belgium (10.0%) accounted for the largest shares of Guatemala's melons and papayas imports in value terms, together comprising 77.2% of total flows.

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

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