Melons and papayas market in South-eastern Asia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The melon and papaya market in South-eastern Asia experienced steady volume growth from 2018 to 2020, rising from 3.5 million tons to over 4 million tons. This expansion was primarily fueled by the successful introduction of the Calina Papaya variety, which attracted consumer demand and export interest due to its superior taste, and was reinforced by government initiatives promoting domestic tropical fruit production and consumption. Concurrently, a growing consumer focus on healthy living and preference for fresh, locally sourced horticultural products provided a sustained boost to market demand.

Market volume contracted in 2021 to 3.7 million tons, a shift concurrent with factors highlighting the influence of consumer income levels and price sensitivities on demand. The following year saw stabilization, as strong consumer valuation of food origin and demand from the food industry were counterbalanced by rising production costs and supply chain disruptions. A recovery to nearly 4 million tons in 2023 was supported by more regular reimbursement schedules for state-owned enterprises and industry investments aimed at modernizing production and expanding market access.

Heading into 2024, the market environment was shaped by seasonal factors including the Eid Al-Fitr period and the El Nino weather pattern, which introduced volatility to supply and prices. These elements, alongside a broader context of efforts to improve production standards and comply with international regulations, continued to influence the market's trajectory.

Production melons and papayas in South-eastern Asia

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-eastern Asia's production of melons and papayas has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 4 323 thousand tonnes, marking a 4.6% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 15%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of decline, melons and papayas production in South-eastern Asia rebounded in 2020. The output was valued at 2 000 million US dollars, showing a modest gain of 5.0% compared to the previous year. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 12.4%, averaging an annual decline of 4.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 904 million US dollars, with the largest drop of 10.9% occurring that same year.

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

Exports melons and papayas from South-eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of melons and papayas from South-eastern Asia fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totalled 315.8 thousand tonnes, representing a sharp decline of 25.3% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 21.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.9%. The peak was in 2018 at 431.7 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 7.0% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China remained the top buyer of melons and papayas from South-eastern Asia, accounting for 79.7% of total exports in volume. The remaining exports were distributed among various other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Shipments of melons and papayas from South-eastern Asia declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 146.1 million US dollars, a significant drop of 25.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 40.4%, with an average annual decrease of 15.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export structure in value terms was heavily concentrated on China, which held an 81.9% share of total flows. Other partners made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports melons and papayas to South-eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, South-eastern Asia's imports of melons and papayas reached 45.6 thousand tonnes, a 37.9% decrease from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 27.6%, averaging an annual decline of 10.2%. The highest volume was in 2019 at 73.4 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 29.6% that year.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, China and Australia led as the main sources for melons and papayas imports into South-eastern Asia in volume terms, together making up 21.9% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of melons and papayas into South-eastern Asia grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 60.2 million US dollars, remaining relatively stable compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 2.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 51.5 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 12.3% that year, while the largest increase of 16.6% occurred in 2019.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, imports in value terms were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. China accounted for 26.1% of imports, Australia for 13.2%, and Japan for 2.4%, with these three countries together representing 41.7% of total flows.

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

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