Melons and papayas market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market volume for melons and papayas in South America expanded from 5.4 million to 5.8 million tons. This growth was supported by a strong export push, particularly from Brazil, where a depreciated currency and increased international flights boosted overseas shipments. The industry's target to export $1 billion in fresh fruit by 2020 further incentivized production, while the opening of the Chinese market to Brazilian melons in 2020 added a significant new outlet for future growth.

Market volume declined after 2020, falling to 5.5 million tons by 2022. This contraction coincided with supply and demand fluctuations influenced by climate variability, which affected production planning and commercialization. Brazilian fruit exports, including melons and papayas, recorded a reduction in both volume and revenue in 2022 due to these market oscillations, contributing to the smaller domestic availability.

The market stabilized at 5.5 million tons in 2023. Production recovered slightly, aided by lower production costs in Brazil for the 2022/23 season, including reduced prices for fertilizers, packaging, and maritime freight. Exports from key regions like Rio Grande do Norte grew sharply by 36%, driven by greater local output and sustained international demand linked to ongoing production shortages in European competitor Spain. For 2024, favorable climatic conditions in Brazil and the seasonal gap in Spanish supply continued to support export volumes.

Production melons and papayas in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

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

South America's production of melons and papayas has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 6,128 thousand tons, marking a slight rise of 0.7% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.6%, which translates to an average annual increase of 1.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 5,648 thousand tons, with the largest decline that year at 2.7%. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest increase of 7.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

South America's production value for melons and papayas has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 3,833 million US dollars, reflecting a modest decrease of 4.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 6.6%, averaging an annual decline of 2.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 4,211 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 2.6%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decline of 4.8%.

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

Exports melons and papayas from South America

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, South America exported 385.5 thousand tons of melons and papayas, representing a slight decrease of 1.6% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 9.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.9%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 302.2 thousand tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 14.5%. The peak was reached in 2019 with 391.6 thousand tons, showing the highest increase of 29.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South America in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, the main destinations for South America's melons and papayas exports in volume terms were the Netherlands, accounting for 34.5% of exports, the United Kingdom with 24.8%, and Spain at 18.5%. Together, these three countries represented 77.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, South America's melons and papayas export value stood at 241.1 million US dollars, down by 6.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 3.5%, with an average annual decline of 1.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 225.3 million US dollars, which saw the largest drop of 9.8%. The highest value was in 2019 at 257.9 million US dollars, marking the biggest increase of 14.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of South America's melons and papayas in value terms were the Netherlands, with 32.9% of exports, the United Kingdom at 25.8%, and Spain contributing 19.6%. Combined, these three markets made up 78.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports melons and papayas to South America

Imports in kind, K t

The import market for melons and papayas in South America showed an unstable trend over the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 22.1 thousand tons, reflecting a significant increase of 88.6% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South America in kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The import market for melons and papayas in South America exhibited volatility throughout the timeframe. Imports varied by 2.1 times, from a low in 2017 to a high in 2020. In 2020, foreign supplies amounted to 14.0 million US dollars, corresponding to a substantial improvement of 101.8% compared to the prior year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 4.3%.

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

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

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