Market research

Melons and papayas market in Nigeria

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

Nigeria's market for fresh melons and papayas grew steadily between 2018 and 2023, with production volume increasing from 835.7 thousand tons to 880.6 thousand tons. Market size mirrored this expansion as imports and exports were negligible, indicating the market is almost entirely supplied by domestic cultivation. This consistent upward trend reflected stable output and consumption during the period.

In 2024, key developments influenced the market's direction. A federal import waiver on grains helped lower overall food prices but also intensified demand for local crops like egusi melon, causing its price to surge. Concurrently, growing demand from the Nigerian diaspora abroad created new export opportunities for packaged melon seeds. Consumer preference for fresh fruits like papaya was supported by its noted health benefits, particularly during the rainy season when these fruits are most abundant.

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, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Nigeria
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Nigeria in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Nigeria 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, K 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, K 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 Nigeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nigeria in value, 2018-2024, $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Nigeria, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
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 Nigeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nigeria in value, 2018-2024, $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Nigeria, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
7. Trade balance
1. 7.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 7.1.2. In value, $ US
2. 7.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 7.2.2. In value, $ US
8. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 8.1. Direct Data
  1. 8.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 8.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 8.2. Mirror Data
  1. 8.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 8.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production melons and papayas in Nigeria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria ranked 23rd globally in the production of melons and papayas.

Top producers of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Nigeria's production of melons and papayas increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 852.2 thousand tonnes, marking a 1.0% rise from the previous year. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 835.7 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 0.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(0.3%)	0.9%	1.0%	0.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports melons and papayas from Nigeria

Market analysis indicates that Nigeria did not export any melons or papayas between 2017 and 2020.

Imports melons and papayas to Nigeria

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Imports reached their highest point in 2018 at 120.3 tonnes, then dropped to their lowest in 2020 at 2.7 tonnes, creating a 45-fold gap. In 2020, imports fell by 80.9% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 88.5% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 297.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	297.8%	(88.5%)	(80.9%)	(55.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, India consistently made up 73.6% of Nigeria's total imports of melons and papayas by volume, showing a high reliance on this market. The remaining imports were distributed among other countries.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, $ US

The market exhibited volatility during this period. Import values peaked in 2019 at 79 816 US dollars and hit their lowest in 2017, with a 2.6-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Nigeria imported 56 581 US dollars worth of melons and papayas, a 29.1% decrease from the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 160.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.7%	160.7%	(29.1%)	23.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, two countries—India and the Netherlands—accounted for the majority of Nigeria's imports of melons and papayas in value terms, while other markets played smaller individual roles.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io