Melons and papayas market in Mozambique

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market volume for melons and papayas in Mozambique gradually declined from 41 064 t to 40 671 t. This was primarily driven by rising exports, which reached 2 751 t in 2020, as the sector relied heavily on the South African market due to limited domestic absorption capacity. Structural challenges in fruit farming, including a lack of large-scale investments, constrained broader market expansion.

Market volume recovered to 41 528 t by 2022, supported by a temporary drop in exports and stable production. Efforts by the Mozambican Fruit Growers Association (FRUTISUL) and government programs aimed at improving the value chain helped maintain output, while political stability provided a favorable environment. The emphasis on post-harvest processing to reduce losses also contributed to more efficient supply to the domestic market.

In 2023, the market volume fell sharply to 37 831 t as exports surged to 5 934 t, reflecting increased external demand. Export revenues for horticultural products, including melons and papayas, grew significantly, with a 45% rise reported in early 2024, highlighting the sector's continued orientation toward international markets despite ongoing structural limitations.

Production melons and papayas in Mozambique

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

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

Mozambique's production of melons and papayas has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 43 152 tonnes of these fruits, remaining nearly unchanged from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Mozambique in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports melons and papayas from Mozambique

Exports in kind, t

Mozambique's exports of melons and papayas have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country shipped 2 751 tonnes abroad, marking an 18.9% advance from 2019. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 14.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 079 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 35.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa accounted for almost all of Mozambique's melons and papayas exports in volume terms, with a share of 99.7% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Mozambique's exports of melons and papayas in value terms have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 2 599 thousand US dollars, representing a modest 9.3% increase from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 126.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 31.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, South Africa dominated Mozambique's export structure in value terms, holding a 99.7% share of total flows.

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

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

Imports melons and papayas to Mozambique

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment for imports. In 2020, Mozambique's volume of melons and papayas imports totalled 269 tonnes, representing a sharp 76.2% gain compared to 2019. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 110 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 27.7%. Overall, there was a 2.4-fold variation between the maximum in 2020 and the minimum in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa dominated the partner structure of Mozambique's melons and papayas imports in volume terms, consistently accounting for 99.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Mozambique's melons and papayas imports amounted to 200 thousand US dollars, representing a 6.2% reduction year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 2.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 171 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 12.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 214 thousand US dollars, marking the largest increase of 24.9%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, South Africa concentrated almost all of Mozambique's melons and papayas imports in value terms, with a share of 99.8% of total flows.

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

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