Global Papaya Market Overview

The year round papaya producers and exporters from Brazil anticipate a 15% growth in papaya exports in 2024. Revenue from Brazil’s increased papaya exports are also up by 7.9% compared to last year. The German market appreciates the Papaya Formosa from Brazil which is traded all year round and found on many German wholesale markets. North America is seeing some quality issues that impact papaya supply from the major suppliers in Mexico. At the same time, demand is elevated for papaya, while prices will stay elevated due to the shorter supply. In Italy consumption of papayas has fallen dramatically, leading to an oversupply mainly from Brazil.

Brazil: 15% growth in papaya exports in 2024 is anticipated

The Brazilian Fruit Growers Association (Abrafrutas) analysis of government statistics shows that Brazil’s papaya exports have shown an upward trend in 2024. The market acceptance of Brazilian papaya often exceeds that of local offerings, despite potential price variances.

From January to October, papaya exports reached 35.84 thousand tons, a 14.65% increase, generating $47.79 million in revenue, up 7.39% from the previous year. Espírito Santo led in papaya exports with 15.85 thousand tons, followed by Rio Grande do Norte and Bahia. Portugal, the UK, and Spain are the primary importers of Brazilian papaya. A 15% growth in papaya exports in 2024 is anticipated, emphasizing the trend of appreciation for Brazilian papaya on the global stage.

The chart below illustrates the pattern of Brazilian exports of melons, watermelons, and papaws in maritime ports in the period that goes from January to October 2021 to its corresponding months in the following years. The data comes from DataLiner, a Datamar intelligence product.

Papaya Exports | Jan-Oct 2021 vs Jan-Oct 2024 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Germany: Constant papaya supply from Brazil

Papaya Formosa from Brazil is traded all year round on many German wholesale markets. Demand is relatively consistent throughout the year, and the same applies to prices and product availability, as the harvest is almost continuous in Brazil. The wholesale markets mainly sell 5 and 6 packs in 7.5 kg cartons. “However, very large fruit, for example 5-packs in 10 kg cartons, are also currently being loaded,” explains a fruit wholesaler.

Despite the sustainability issue and the often critical attitude towards air cargo, papayas continue to be well received in Germany. According to fruit traders, further growth is recorded every year. Promotions are mainly run after the school holidays or in late summer and autumn.

North America: Quality issues impact papaya supply

Papaya supply is seeing some challenges throughout the industry at the moment thanks to some weather in Mexico and it’s causing some choppiness in the market. The majority of the fruit in the marketplace is coming from Mexico.

At the same time, demand is elevated for papaya, which in North America is mostly the Maridol variety. The item has been growing in popularity with consumers in recent years, thanks in part to the change in demographics in both Canada and the United States. There’s also more overall awareness of the item.”

In turn, this is collectively impacting pricing. It is more elevated than usual at this time and pricing is forecast to stay elevated for some time due to the shortness in supply. While there’s hope that the supply will pick up in the coming weeks, the quality of the fruit will be watched closely.

Italy: Consumption has fallen dramatically

According to a wholesaler in northern Italy, the papaya market, particularly the Brazilian variety Formosa, can be described as “extra-calm”, in line with the same period last year. “Consumption has fallen dramatically, with supply far exceeding demand. In the coming weeks, we may see a reduction in shipments from Brazil due to adverse weather conditions in some parts of the country. During the end of year festivities, papaya is a product that performs well as it is used in gift baskets. In general, the product is priced at around €4-6 per 4.5kg box at the point of origin (Brazil). In Europe, we buy from €13 to €16 in pallet distribution. A lot depends on the brand.

A category manager from central Italy confirms that demand and consumption were low in November, while supply was higher. The main origin is Brazil, with airfreighted Formosa papayas, as well as the smaller Golden variety. Other origins such as Ecuador, Spain, Italy, Santo Domingo, Peru and Colombia complete the range. “The exotic and super-exotic varieties are an extra for Italian families. The basic basket is made up of other references. In areas where there have been no particular climatic problems, the quality has improved considerably since the last week of October and throughout November. So let’s say that, theoretically, we should arrive at the end of the year/mid-January with adequate goods in terms of quantity and quality”.

The fruit and vegetable buyer of a large supermarket chain in central Italy (200 stores) says that papaya is a niche product. Fifteen years ago it was thought that it would grow gradually, but it has not, it has not had the growth of avocados and mangos. Its presence on the shelves is constant throughout the year, with no particular changes. Currently, Formosa papayas, imported by air from Brazil, are sold in supermarkets at a consumer price of 4.99 €/kg. In addition, another high quality reference is sold per unit at €4.19 with a guaranteed weight of 350 grams.

Netherlands: Strong demand for Formosa and Golden papayas leading up to Christmas

According to a Dutch papaya importer, the market for Formosa papayas has been relatively stable recently. However, an increase in sales is expected in December due to the upcoming holiday season. “There remains a distinction among customers choosing between Spain and Brazil, despite the significant price difference.”

Golden papayas remain a product sensitive to weather conditions, which can sometimes affect their quality and lead to significant size variations. Currently, there are many large-sized papayas, while retail prefers smaller sizes due to unit pricing. Nonetheless, prices have remained quite stable, and there is strong demand as Christmas approaches.

Belgium: Stable supply, but rising demand heading into holiday season

“It is a stable papaya market at the moment,” says a Belgian importer. “In these times there are many products where the market often goes up and down, but remarkably this is certainly not the case with papaya. The supply from Brazil remains fairly constant, yet we do see that toward the future we may start to see the same problem as with other exotics. Namely, that European regulations and requirements may force exporters to other parts of the world. That is something we as a sector have to work on, but at the moment we don’t notice much of that. The expectation in the coming weeks is that demand will increase somewhat, which it always does towards the holidays. Then the price will automatically go up a bit with it.”

Source:  FreshPlaza

Sharing is caring!