Melons and papayas market in Tunisia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for melons and papayas in Tunisia contracted from 625.1 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 551.0 thousand tonnes in 2020, reflecting a downward trend in domestic availability.

A sharp recovery to 625.9 thousand tonnes occurred in 2021, supported by market studies under the PAMPAT 2 project that identified promising export destinations for local products, encouraging producers to increase output for foreign markets. This expansion was reversed in 2022 when volume fell to 539.4 thousand tonnes, coinciding with a surge in fruit prices—including for yellow melons—due to reduced supply, alongside government price regulation efforts through the Code online application.

By 2023, the market partially rebounded to 567.0 thousand tonnes. Moving into 2024, the sector faced significantly higher prices for melons and watermelons linked to lower quantities available on the wholesale market, while government research centers advanced organic papaya production in greenhouses, indicating innovation within the segment.

Production melons and papayas in Tunisia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Tunisia ranked as the 27th largest global producer of melons and papayas, placing it among the world's leading producers during this period.

Top producers of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

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

Tunisia's production of melons and papayas declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 557.1 thousand tons, marking a 6.7% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 17.5%, with an average annual decline of 6.2%.

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

Exports melons and papayas from Tunisia

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed significant fluctuations during this period. In 2017, exports hit their lowest point, then peaked in 2019 at 12 580 tons, representing a 3.3-fold increase from the 2017 low. In 2020, Tunisia exported 6 063 tons of melons and papayas, a sharp decline of 51.8% from the previous year. The largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2018, with exports surging by 141.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Libya, and France were Tunisia's primary export markets for melons and papayas in volume terms. Italy accounted for 35.1% of exports, Libya for 31.4%, and France for 23.7%. Together, these three countries represented 90.2% of Tunisia's total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Tunisia's melons and papayas exports declined in value terms. In 2020, export value reached 3 124 thousand US dollars, a sharp decrease of 38.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 27.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 5 044 thousand US dollars, while the largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2018 at 46.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Italy, Libya, and France remained Tunisia's key export partners in value terms. Italy accounted for 33.4% of export value, Libya for 21.2%, and France for 19.5%. Collectively, these three markets represented 74.1% of Tunisia's total export value.

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

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

Imports melons and papayas to Tunisia

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes demonstrated considerable volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their highest point in 2018 and their lowest in 2020, with a 7.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Tunisia imported 16 tons of melons and papayas, representing a 29.2% increase compared to 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, Libya, and Brazil consistently led as Tunisia's main sources of melons and papayas imports in volume terms. Egypt accounted for 35.6% of imports, Libya for 26.5%, and Brazil for 5.6%. Together, these three countries represented 67.6% of Tunisia's total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values showed notable volatility during this period. Values peaked in 2018 and reached their lowest point in 2020, with a 3.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Tunisia imported 12 thousand US dollars worth of melons and papayas, representing a substantial 102.1% increase compared to 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Egypt, Libya, and Brazil emerged as Tunisia's primary sources of melons and papayas imports in value terms. Egypt accounted for 15.8% of import value, Libya for 11.6%, and Brazil for 4.2%. Collectively, these three countries represented 31.5% of Tunisia's total import value.

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

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