Latin America and the Caribbean: Papaya Market 2025

Papaya Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American papaya market contracted slightly to $X in 2022, shrinking by -1.6% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Papaya Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, papaya production dropped to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +4.2% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 50% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Brazil (X tons), Mexico (X tons) and the Dominican Republic (X tons), with a combined 78% share of total production. Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Cuba, Guatemala and Guyana lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 18%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Guyana (with a CAGR of +31.6%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average papaya yield reached X tons per ha in 2022, rising by 1.6% against the previous year. Overall, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 5.5%. Over the period under review, the papaya yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the 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.

The papaya harvested area declined to X ha in 2022, waning by -1.6% against the previous year. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the harvested area increased by 9.7%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to papaya production reached the maximum at X ha in 2021, and then shrank slightly in the following year.

Papaya Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, shipments abroad of papayas increased by 3.7% to X tons, rising for the third year in a row after four years of decline. Total exports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +82.7% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 49% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, papaya exports expanded rapidly to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 19%. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Mexico (X tons) represented the key exporter of papayas, generating 67% of total exports. Guatemala (X tons) held a 17% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Brazil (13%).

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to papaya exports from Mexico stood at +6.4%. At the same time, Guatemala (+8.6%) and Brazil (+4.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Guatemala emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +8.6% from 2012-2022. Mexico (+5.4 p.p.) and Guatemala (+4.3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Brazil saw its share reduced by -1.6% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) remains the largest papaya supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 61% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Brazil ($X), with a 24% share of total exports.

In Mexico, papaya exports expanded at an average annual rate of +7.4% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Brazil (+3.2% per year) and Guatemala (+11.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, growing by 5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 21%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Brazil ($X per ton), while Guatemala ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Guatemala (+2.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Papaya Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, the amount of papayas imported in Latin America and the Caribbean totaled X tons, growing by 8.7% on 2021. Total imports indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.1% 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 +10.6% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 30%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, papaya imports expanded rapidly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports posted a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 28% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

El Salvador prevails in imports structure, amounting to X tons, which was approx. 77% of total imports in 2022. Paraguay (X tons) held a 9.7% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Argentina (7.3%). Uruguay (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into El Salvador increased at an average annual rate of +6.9% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Argentina (+22.1%), Uruguay (+13.8%) and Paraguay (+10.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Argentina emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +22.1% from 2012-2022. While the share of Argentina (+5.3 p.p.) and Paraguay (+2.5 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, El Salvador ($X), Argentina ($X) and Uruguay ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 82% share of total imports.

Argentina, with a CAGR of +27.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of 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 Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 1.9% against the previous year. Import price indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, papaya import price increased by +99.0% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the import price increased by 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Argentina ($X per ton), while Paraguay ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (+4.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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