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. In western Sicily, production of organic papaya takes place in greenhouses to ensure year round supply. Spain is seeing full production in the Canary Islands. Demand is fluid and the local supply is not clashing with Brazil. In France the consumption is expected to rise sharply in December. There is strong demand for Formosa and Golden papayas in the Netherlands leading up to Christmas.
South Africa is coming to the end of their papaya season, with prices rising. However, a damaging disease has spread while the number of growers has dwindled. In Ethiopia the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed encouraged growers to intensify efforts to increase papaya cultivation, which is a major crop in the country.
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.
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".
In western Sicily, production was satisfactory this year. A small grower says: "It is true that we produce papaya all year round, but we record the bulk of the harvest in two periods of the year: the first between March and June and the second between September and December. During these periods we mainly harvest ripe papaya, while the rest of the year we harvest green papaya, which is marketed to the Thai community living in Italy. Ours is an organic production of 5000 square meters, grown in greenhouses and 80% of the marketing is done directly, only 20% is given to wholesalers. Our average selling prices are between 3.50 and 5.00 €/kg".
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.
Spain: Full production underway in Canary Islands
Papaya is currently in full production in the Canary Islands, the main producing area in Spain. A grower and exporter in Tenerife reports good yields and a more fluid demand than usual at this time of the year, with acceptable prices. "We normally find an oversupply of papayas during the weeks 45 to 49, with lots of promotions in the supermarkets, but this year we are experiencing a good and steady demand and we are not clashing much with the Brazilian papayas, our main competitor in the European countries".
France: Consumption to rise sharply in December
On the French market, supplies are regular all year round. Consumption will rise sharply in December, for the festive season. This is particularly the case for the Golden variety, a small yellow papaya that is very popular with consumers. Sales are likely to increase by a factor of 4 or 5.
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."
South Africa: Harvest season ending, prices rising on markets
South Africa is coming to the end of the papaya season and until the new season starts in mid-February, volumes will continue dropping - volumes at the Johannesburg market halved between last week and this - and prices rising. "In a week or two we'll have fewer than a thousands [cartons] on the market floor and then prices will climb even higher," a market agent predicts.
A 10kg carton sells for between R100 (5 euro) and R120 (6 euro) while pre-packed punnets go for R20 (1 euro) to R22, says a market agent. A packet of two papayas retail from R42 upwards currently. "We would like prices to be better," says a papaya farmer. "Between what we're getting and what the consumers are paying there's a vast difference."
Papayas recently came out of a high price period as a result of a hot and dry previous summer which reduced the amount of fruit available from July to September. Overall papaya hectares are decreasing in South Africa, at least partly as a result of a Phytophthora strain for which there's currently no cure. Another grower predicts replacing all of that farm's papayas with avocados in the not too distant future. There already are only "a handful" of papaya farmers left in South Africa, says the market agent. Papayas are also grown in Mozambique for the South African market.
Ethiopia: Growers urged to intensify efforts to increase papaya cultivation
The Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has highlighted the role of papaya in the country's agriculture, emphasizing its importance for both local consumption and the export market. He acknowledged the value of papaya farming. "In Ethiopia, papaya is one of the most significant fruit crops, valued for both local consumption, as well as its potential for fresh fruit export," PM Abiy stated. He advocated for the adoption of improved farming techniques to increase yield and profitability for farmers engaged in papaya cultivation to intensify their efforts.
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