Melons and papayas market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh melons and papayas in Russia peaked at 1 977 Kt in 2018, supported by unrestricted imports and stable consumer demand. However, geopolitical tensions emerged in 2019, contributing to a decline in market volume to 1 785 Kt. The downward trend continued in 2020, with the market falling to 1 611 Kt as logistics chains deteriorated, likely due to global disruptions, despite state programs aimed at boosting domestic agricultural production.

Recovery followed in 2021, with market volume rising to 1 940 Kt driven by resumed imports and growing retail demand for fresh fruit, fueled by consumer interest in ready meals. In 2022, sanctions and new tariffs on non-aseptic packaging created shortages and higher packaging costs, increasing production expenses and leading to a market contraction to 1 758 Kt. That year also saw the launch of an experimental AI-driven industrial papaya cultivation project in Sochi, targeting production localization.

Market growth resumed in 2023, reaching 1 881 Kt, supported by the ongoing Sochi papaya project, which partially replaced imports, and import substitution in packaging, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers. Factors for 2024 point to further import reduction due to tightened sanctions and currency challenges, alongside continued strengthening of domestic papaya production from the Sochi initiative.

Production melons and papayas in Russia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Russia held the 11th position globally in the production of melons and papayas.

Top producers of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

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

Russia's production of melons and papayas declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 1 584 thousand tonnes, down 11.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 12.7%, with an average annual decline of 4.4%. The peak was in 2018 at 1 970 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 8.5%.

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

Exports melons and papayas from Russia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Russia's exports of melons and papayas amounted to 29 621 tonnes, marking a sharp decline of 27.4% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 23.3%, with an average annual decrease of 8.5%. The highest export volume was in 2019 at 40 791 tonnes, which also recorded the largest increase of 21.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—Ukraine, Belarus, and Lithuania—collectively accounted for 83.7% of Russia's total melons and papayas exports by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Russia exported melons and papayas worth 4 784 thousand US dollars, showing a slight drop of 2.6% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 3.1%, with an average annual decline of 1.1%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 4 631 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 6.2%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the largest increase of 6.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—Belarus, Ukraine, and Lithuania—together made up 83.3% of Russia's total melons and papayas exports by value.

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

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

Imports melons and papayas to Russia

Imports in kind, t

Russia's imports of melons and papayas increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume rose to 56 706 tonnes, reflecting a sharp increase of 39.2% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 8.8%, with an average annual rise of 2.9%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 40 392 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 22.5%.

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

During 2017-2020, three main markets—Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Iran—collectively accounted for 68.3% of Russia's total melons and papayas imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Russia's imports of melons and papayas increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 36 980 thousand US dollars, corresponding to an uptick of 24.5% over the past year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 40.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.1%.

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

An analysis of imports by value from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across many markets. Kazakhstan (16.7% of import value), Iran (16.5%), and Brazil (16.0%) together accounted for only 49.2% of total flows, with a significant 50.8% coming from other partners.

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

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