Middle East: Papaya Market 2025

Papaya Market Size in the Middle East

In 2022, the Middle Eastern papaya market decreased by -3.9% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2021, and then declined slightly in the following year.

Papaya Production in the Middle East

In value terms, papaya production expanded sharply to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a slight increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% 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 +28.6% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 38%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Yemen (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of papaya production, accounting for 72% of total volume. Moreover, papaya production in Yemen exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Oman (X tons), fourfold. Saudi Arabia (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 6.2% share.

In Yemen, papaya production decreased by an average annual rate of -1.3% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Oman (+5.1% per year) and Saudi Arabia (-13.4% per year).

In 2022, the average papaya yield in the Middle East soared to X tons per ha, with an increase of 66% compared with 2021 figures. In general, the yield, however, recorded a deep contraction. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2020; however, from 2021 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.

In 2022, the papaya harvested area in the Middle East reduced remarkably to X ha, waning by -35.3% on the previous year's figure. Overall, the harvested area, however, enjoyed a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the harvested area increased by 239%. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of X ha, and then declined sharply in the following year.

Papaya Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2022, shipments abroad of papayas decreased by -17.2% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, exports, however, showed a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 85%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, papaya exports declined to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a resilient expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 84%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Saudi Arabia represented the main exporting country with an export of about X tons, which finished at 62% of total exports. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) took a 12% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Israel (10%) and Oman (7.3%). The following exporters - Yemen (X tons), Bahrain (X tons) and Jordan (X tons) - each resulted at a 7% share of total exports.

Exports from Saudi Arabia increased at an average annual rate of +26.9% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Bahrain (+36.4%), Oman (+27.4%), Yemen (+11.2%) and Israel (+7.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Bahrain emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +36.4% from 2012-2022. Jordan experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the United Arab Emirates (-4.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain increased by +45, +5.5 and +2.1 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest papaya supplying countries in the Middle East were the United Arab Emirates ($X), Israel ($X) and Saudi Arabia ($X), with a combined 86% share of total exports. Oman, Bahrain, Jordan and Yemen lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 12%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Oman, with a CAGR of +38.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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 the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a mild reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the export price increased by 84%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Israel ($X per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($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 more modest paces of growth.

Papaya Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2022, the amount of papayas imported in the Middle East declined remarkably to X tons, which is down by -17.6% against the previous year's figure. Overall, imports, however, recorded a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 47% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2021, and then dropped rapidly in the following year.

In value terms, papaya imports fell to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated prominent 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 +12.3% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 38% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the United Arab Emirates (X tons) was the key importer of papayas, making up 74% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Qatar (X tons), Bahrain (X tons) and Kuwait (X tons), together mixing up a 24% share of total imports. Oman (X tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

Imports into the United Arab Emirates increased at an average annual rate of +12.2% from 2012 to 2022. 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 the Middle East, with a CAGR of +21.1% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait increased by +18, +8 and +2.4 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest papaya importing markets in the Middle East were the United Arab Emirates ($X), Qatar ($X) and Kuwait ($X), together accounting for 88% of total imports.

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

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, growing by 9.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a perceptible shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 26% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2022, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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

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