Market research

Melons and papayas market in the United Arab Emirates

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the UAE market for fresh melons and papayas saw its volume rise from 213 thousand tons to a peak of 302 thousand tons in 2022, following a sharp contraction to 189 thousand tons in 2020. The market's value, however, declined significantly in 2020 and stabilized at a lower level, indicating changes in average prices or the mix of products traded. Despite global economic headwinds and trade tensions that affected international fruit flows in 2019, the physical volume of melons and papayas available in the UAE continued to expand through the period.

By 2023, the market volume showed slight stabilization at 296 thousand tons alongside a modest increase in value. This period coincided with a reported boom in Dubai's real estate sector and the rapid growth of e-commerce, which began altering consumer purchasing channels for fresh produce. The subsequent year, 2024, was marked by the development of the world's largest food, vegetable, and fruit market in Dubai, featuring a major dedicated logistics zone designed to strengthen the emirate's position as a global trade hub for these goods.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in the United Arab Emirates
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in the United Arab Emirates in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production melons and papayas in the United Arab Emirates

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

The United Arab Emirates has seen its production of melons and papayas grow for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 7,202 tonnes of these fruits, representing a steady increase of 9.7% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 188.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 42.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	136.3%	11.4%	9.7%	42.4%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The market performance for melons and papayas showed notable fluctuations during this period. The lowest output value was recorded in 2017, while the highest was in 2019, with the peak being three times higher than the trough. In 2020, the value of melons and papayas produced in the United Arab Emirates was 3,622 thousand US dollars, down 9.3% from the year before. The maximum value of 3,994 thousand US dollars was achieved in 2019. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, with a jump of 185.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	185.3%	6.0%	(9.3%)	40.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports melons and papayas from the United Arab Emirates

Exports in kind, K t

The United Arab Emirates has increased its exports of melons and papayas for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the export volume reached 50.3 thousand tonnes, a substantial rise of 142.8% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 2,487%, averaging an annual growth rate of 195.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	635.9%	44.8%	142.8%	195.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Bahrain and Kuwait were the primary markets for exports in kind, together accounting for 86.1% of total flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

The United Arab Emirates has experienced a third straight year of growth in cross-border shipments of melons and papayas. In 2020, the country exported 25,300 thousand US dollars worth of these fruits, marking a sharp increase of 100.7% over the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports soared by 2,356.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 190.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	788.4%	37.8%	100.7%	190.7%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Bahrain, Kuwait, and Afghanistan—collectively absorbed 88.4% of the total export value of melons and papayas from the United Arab Emirates.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports melons and papayas to the United Arab Emirates

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, the United Arab Emirates imported 231.8 thousand tonnes of melons and papayas, showing a measured decrease of 7.5% from 2019. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 221.6 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 250.5 thousand tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 13.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(3.2%)	13.1%	(7.5%)	0.4%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017-2020, Iran was the leading source for imports in kind of melons and papayas to the United Arab Emirates, holding a 71.1% share of total flows, while the rest was distributed among other partners.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of melons and papayas imported by the United Arab Emirates from abroad was 59,150 thousand US dollars, reflecting a decline of 21.4% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 28.3%, averaging an annual decrease of 10.5%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 4.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(12.3%)	4.1%	(21.4%)	(10.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Iran, India, and Australia—together accounted for 55.7% of the total import value of melons and papayas to the United Arab Emirates.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io