Melons and papayas market in Kenya

Earlier Report Observations

Kenya's production of melons and papayas grew strongly from 323 thousand tonnes in 2018 to a peak of 492 thousand tonnes in 2020, driving the domestic market volume to a similar high.

Output then declined over the following three years, falling to 332 thousand tonnes by 2023. This contraction was primarily driven by unfavorable weather conditions and global price volatility, which reduced agricultural productivity for smallholder farmers. During this period, efforts to strengthen the sector's foundation emerged, including Kenya Papaya Products Ltd organizing 500 farmers into production clusters and the introduction of tissue culture propagation to create disease-free papaya plants.

The regulatory environment for the market evolved significantly by 2024. New measures included the Horticultural Crops Authority Bill, which introduced a licensing regime for fruit dealers, and stricter food crop regulations governing labeling and commercial activity. A sharp increase in papaya import prices and the launch of a national strategy to reduce post-harvest fruit losses also began influencing market dynamics.

Production melons and papayas in Kenya

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

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

Kenya's production of melons and papayas has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 491.8 thousand tonnes, marking a significant 12.1% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 103.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 26.7%.

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

Exports melons and papayas from Kenya

Exports in kind, t

Kenya's exports of melons and papayas have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 48 tonnes, showing no significant change compared to 2019. Over the span from 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 63.5%, averaging an annual decrease of 28.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the core destinations for Kenya's melons and papayas exports in volume terms were Somalia, accounting for 65.1% of exports, the United Kingdom with 10.3%, and Bunkers at 7.7%. Together, these three made up 83.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Kenya's export value of melons and papayas has fallen for the second year running. In 2020, exports totaled 40.1 thousand US dollars, down by 36.5% from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, the value decreased by 69.8%, with an average annual decline of 32.9%. The peak was in 2018 at 141.2 thousand US dollars, while the largest drop occurred in 2019 with a 55.2% decrease. The biggest increase was recorded in 2018 at 6.2%.

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

During 2017–2020, the main destinations for Kenya's melons and papayas exports in value terms were Somalia, with a 54.9% share, the Netherlands at 14.6%, and the United Kingdom with 9.3%. Combined, these countries represented 78.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports melons and papayas to Kenya

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. Import volumes peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2019, with a 394-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Kenya imported 33 tonnes of melons and papayas, showing a sharp increase of 170.9% compared to 2019. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 12 tonnes, and the largest decline that year was 99.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya's imports of melons and papayas in volume terms were heavily concentrated, with Uganda absorbing 98.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import values reached their highest in 2018 and fell to the lowest in 2019, with a 37-fold variation. In 2020, Kenya imported melons and papayas worth 39.8 thousand US dollars, marking a sudden rise of 148.7% from the previous year. The minimum value was 16.0 thousand US dollars in 2019, while the maximum was 597.6 thousand US dollars in 2018. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 97.3%.

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

In 2017–2020, the country structure of imports in value terms was highly concentrated, with Uganda alone accounting for 90.0% of total flows.

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

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