GCC: Papaya Market 2025

Papaya Market Size in GCC

The GCC papaya market shrank to $X in 2022, dropping by -7.1% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +9.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +24.8% against 2018 indices. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

Papaya Production in GCC

In value terms, papaya production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 78%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Oman (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of papaya production, comprising approx. 75% of total volume. Moreover, papaya production in Oman exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Saudi Arabia (X tons), threefold.

In Oman, papaya production expanded at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the period from 2012-2022.

The average papaya yield rose notably to X tons per ha in 2022, surging by 9.2% against 2021 figures. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the yield increased by 45%. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the papaya yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the papaya harvested area in GCC stood at X ha, approximately reflecting the previous year's figure. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the harvested area increased by 60%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to papaya production reached the maximum in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Papaya Exports

Exports in GCC

After two years of growth, overseas shipments of papayas decreased by -18.9% to X tons in 2022. In general, exports, however, recorded a prominent expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 93% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, papaya exports declined to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, posted a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 119% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Saudi Arabia (X tons) represented the key exporter of papayas, generating 74% of total exports. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Oman (X tons). All these countries together held near 24% share of total exports. Bahrain (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Saudi Arabia increased at an average annual rate of +26.9% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Bahrain (+36.4%) and Oman (+27.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Bahrain emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in GCC, with a CAGR of +36.4% from 2012-2022. By contrast, the United Arab Emirates (-4.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Saudi Arabia (+52 p.p.), Oman (+6.3 p.p.) and Bahrain (+2.5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the United Arab Emirates saw its share reduced by -60.6% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), Saudi Arabia ($X) and Oman ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 97% of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Oman, with a CAGR of +38.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 11% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the export price increased by 92% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+12.0%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Papaya Imports

Imports in GCC

Papaya imports declined dramatically to X tons in 2022, reducing by -17.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded resilient growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 47% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2021, and then contracted significantly in the following year.

In value terms, papaya imports dropped to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +12.1% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 38%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates was the key importer of papayas in GCC, with the volume of imports accounting for X tons, which was near 74% of total imports in 2022. Qatar (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Bahrain (X tons) and Kuwait (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 24% share of total imports. Oman (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to papaya imports into the United Arab Emirates stood at +12.2%. At the same time, Qatar (+21.1%), Kuwait (+17.7%), Oman (+12.5%) and Bahrain (+6.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Qatar emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in GCC, with a CAGR of +21.1% from 2012-2022. The United Arab Emirates (+18 p.p.), Qatar (+8 p.p.) and Kuwait (+2.4 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Bahrain saw its share reduced by -1.7% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), Qatar ($X) and Kuwait ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 88% share of total imports.

Qatar, with a CAGR of +23.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 9.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a pronounced setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 26%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2022, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Kuwait ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Oman (+5.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform