Melons and papayas market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh melons and papayas in Portugal exhibited considerable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023, starting at 196 thousand tonnes, dropping to 169 thousand tonnes in 2019, then recovering to 196 thousand tonnes in 2020 before entering a gradual decline to 171 thousand tonnes by 2023. This period began with the commercial introduction of papaya cultivation, capitalizing on Portugal's mild southern climate to establish a new domestic tropical fruit segment alongside traditional melon varieties.

The market rebound in 2020 coincided with heightened consumer interest in papaya due to its perceived health benefits and growing popularity, which encouraged local producers to expand output. The subsequent stabilization of the market around 193 thousand tonnes in 2021 was supported by the adoption of more efficient cultivation techniques for papaya, including the use of greenhouses in less favorable regions to improve yields and fruit quality.

In the following years, market volume contracted despite continued developments within the papaya segment. These included the 2022 launch of dwarf papaya seeds for home cultivation, which diversified production channels, and 2023 regulatory and practical focus on climate adaptation and irrigation management to support papaya farming. Traditional melon cultivation, centered on valued local varieties, maintained its presence through consistent agricultural practices during this phase of overall market contraction.

Production melons and papayas in Portugal

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of melons and papayas, 2018-2021

World map of production of melons and papayas, 2018-2021

Portugal's production of melons and papayas has increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 101 370 tonnes, which represents a 5.2% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 8.7%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 2.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 69 590 tonnes, marking a significant decline of 25.4% that year. However, production rebounded strongly in 2020 with a substantial increase of 38.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports melons and papayas from Portugal

Exports in kind, K t

Portugal's exports of melons and papayas have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, export volumes reached 8.5 thousand tonnes, showing a gradual decrease of 6.7% compared to 2020. Over the four-year period from 2018 to 2021, exports fell by 52.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -22.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, three key markets—Poland, Spain, and France—collectively accounted for 77.5% of Portugal's total melon and papaya exports by volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Portugal's export value of melons and papayas has decreased for the third year in a row. In 2021, exports were valued at 9 269 thousand US dollars, reflecting a modest reduction of 7.0% from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, export values dropped by 60.2%, with a compound annual decline rate of 26.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout the 2018–2021 period, Poland and Spain were the primary markets for Portugal's melon and papaya exports in value terms, together making up 81.2% of total export flows. Other destinations contributed relatively smaller shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Portugal in value, 2018-2021

Imports melons and papayas to Portugal

Imports in kind, K t

Portugal's imports of melons and papayas have fallen for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country imported 8.5 thousand tonnes, which is 7.3% lower than the previous year. Over the 2018–2021 period, import volumes decreased by 16.8%, with a compound annual decline rate of 6.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Spain remained the dominant source for Portugal's melon and papaya imports by volume, accounting for 87.3% of total imports. Other markets represented only a small fraction of the import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Portugal in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Portugal's import value for melons and papayas amounted to 76 788 thousand US dollars, showing a slight decrease of 5.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018–2021 period, import values declined by 7.6%, with a compound annual decrease of 2.6%. The largest drop occurred in 2019 at 6.1%, followed by an increase of 4.2% in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Spain and Brazil together accounted for 94.9% of Portugal's total melon and papaya import value. The remaining imports were distributed across various other markets in much smaller proportions.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Portugal in value, 2018-2021