Melons and papayas market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

Production of fresh melons and papayas in SADC rose from 512 thousand tons in 2018 to 676 thousand tons in 2020, with market volume following a similar growth trajectory to 673 thousand tons. The period after 2020 saw production and market volume stabilize, moving within a narrow band between 660 and 684 thousand tons through 2023.

In value terms, the market contracted significantly from 2.9 billion US dollars in 2018 to 1.9 billion in 2021, before rebounding to 2.4 billion by 2023. This substantial volatility in market value indicates shifting price levels and demand conditions throughout the period.

Factors such as El Niño weather events and global supply chain disruptions emerged as influences on the Southern African fresh produce market, contributing to price volatility and affecting supply dynamics for fruits including melons and papayas.

Production melons and papayas in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

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

Production of melons and papayas in SADC has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, SADC produced 676.2 thousand tons of melons and papayas, marking a significant 11.2% rise compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 32%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.7%. The lowest production level was in 2018, at 512.1 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 0.0% change, while the biggest increase was in 2019, at 18.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of melons and papayas production in SADC has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 2 332 million US dollars, showing a modest decrease of 8.8% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 27.5%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 10.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in SADC in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports melons and papayas from SADC

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, SADC's volume of melons and papayas exports declined. In 2020, SADC exported 6 107 tons of melons and papayas, reflecting a sharp drop of 35.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 16.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.2%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019, at 9 435 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 35.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in kind were spread across a diverse range of partner countries. The United Kingdom accounted for 12.3% of exports in kind, the Netherlands for 4.6%, and Kenya for 4.2%, with these three countries together making up just 21.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of melons and papayas exports from SADC has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 7 687 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a sharp decrease of 39.6% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value fell by 63.7%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 28.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, three key markets—the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Switzerland—collectively accounted for 59.2% of the total export value of melons and papayas from SADC.

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

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

Imports melons and papayas to SADC

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, melons and papayas imports into SADC declined. In 2020, imports totaled 3 275 tons, representing a steep reduction of 52.6% compared to the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 33.4%, with an annualized decline rate of 12.7%. The highest import volume was in 2019, at 6 909 tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 39.2%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Egypt was the main supplier of melons and papayas to SADC, accounting for 2.7% of imports in kind, followed by Special Categories at 1.2% and Spain at 0.6%. Together, these three sources comprised 4.5% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of increase, SADC's melons and papayas imports declined. In 2020, SADC imported a total of value_last_year thousand US dollars of melons and papayas, amounting to a drop of 27.6% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 8.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%. The peak import value was recorded in 2019, at 8 615 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018, at 22.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of imports in value terms was highly diversified. Egypt accounted for 9.2% of imports in value terms, Australia for 2.9%, and Spain for 1.6%, with these three countries together making up only 13.7% of total flows. The remaining 86.3% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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