United States: Papaya imports reached record levels

Papaya imports by the United States reached record levels in 2023, exceeding half a million pounds for the first time, specifically 501.2 million pounds. The amount marks the fifth consecutive year of increased volumes and follows a decades-long trend of increased imports of fresh papaya, as highlighted in the report 'Fruit and Tree Nuts Outlook: July 2024', from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Rising imports also boosted per capita availability to a new high of 1.51 pounds per person, double the average of 0.75 pounds between 2000 and 2002. But, just as a record was achieved in 2023, in the first five months of 2024, fresh papaya imports fell 4.8% compared to the same period in 2023, largely due to lower volumes from Guatemala, the second largest exporter to the market. US. The main supplier of fresh papaya to the United States is Mexico, representing on average 82% of the volume during the last five years (2019-2023). While shipments from Mexico between ...