MAJOR

TROPICAL FRUITS
Market Review 2023
 MAJOR
TROPICAL FRUITS

Market Review 2023

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Rome, 2024
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CONTENTS

Note on methodology .................................................................................................................................... iv

Foreword ....................................................................................................................................................... vi
Developments at a glance ............................................................................................................................. vii
Overview ........................................................................................................................................................... 1
Developments in world average export unit values ............................................................................................. 2
Risks and uncertainties ...................................................................................................................................... 3
Commodity Briefs .......................................................................................................................................... 4
Mango, mangosteen and guava .......................................................................................................................... 4
Exports .......................................................................................................................................................... 4
Imports .......................................................................................................................................................... 6
Pineapple .......................................................................................................................................................... 7
Exports .......................................................................................................................................................... 7
Imports .......................................................................................................................................................... 8
Avocado ............................................................................................................................................................ 9
Exports .......................................................................................................................................................... 9
Imports .........................................................................................................................................................11
Papaya .............................................................................................................................................................12
Exports .........................................................................................................................................................12
Imports .........................................................................................................................................................13

iii
NOTE ON METHODOLOGY
This report analyses full-year results of developments in global trade in major tropical fruits in 2023 and represents
an update to the Major Tropical Fruits Market Review Preliminary Results 2023, which was published on January
2024. The analysis contained herein is based on data on trade quantities that were compiled from the following
sources: country responses to the 2024 questionnaire of the FAO Intergovernmental Sub-Group on Tropical Fruits;
data from the UN Comtrade database, Global Trade Tracker Inc. and Trade Data Monitor Inc.; communications with
national sources and industry partners in trading countries; and secondary data and information from desk research.
The findings incorporate revised data and information as available up to the end of May 2024. All data in this report
should be considered as provisional. FAO continuously monitors global trade flows of tropical fruits and publishes
updates when revisions of officially reported data are released.

All datasets refer to global trade of fresh or dried major tropical fruits, as covered by HS codes 080430 (pineapple);
080440 (avocado); 080450 (mango, mangosteen and guava); and 080720 (papaya) under the harmonized tariff
nomenclature system of the World Customs Organization. Data on the import volumes of the European Union
exclude the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland since February 2020.

Unless otherwise specified, the source of the figures is the author(s)' own elaboration of various data sources as
explained above.

Primary data on global trade flows and prices were kindly provided by the following organizations:

• Secretaría de Agricultura, Ganadería y Pesca, Argentina

• Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia
• Statistics Austria
• Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture Bahrain
• Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS)
• Banque Nationale de Belgique
• Ministry of Agriculture, Belize
• Ministerio de Desarrollo Rural y Tierras, Bolivia
• Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Cananda, Statistics Canada
• Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
• Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería, Costa Rica
• Ministry of Agriculture, Croatia
• Statistical Service of Cyprus
• Ministry of Agriculture, Czech Republic
• Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries of Denmark
• Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería, Ecuador
• Agricultural Office - Embassy of Arab Republic of Egypt
• Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería, El Salvador
• Statistics Estonia
iv
• Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), Germany
• Hellenic Statistical Authority
• Planeamiento del Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganadería y Alimentación, Guatemala
• Hungarian Central Statistical Office
• Statistics Indonesia - BPS
• Central Bureau of Statistics, Israel
• Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan
• Ministry of Agriculture of Latvia
• Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania
• Ministère de l'Agriculture et de l'Elevage, Madagascar
• Ministry Of Agriculture And Food Security, Malaysia
• Secretaria de Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural, Mexico
• Ministarstvo poljoprivrede, šumarstva i vodoprivrede, Montenegro
• Ministère de l’Agriculture, de la Pêche Maritime, du Développement Rural et des Eaux et Forêts, Maroc
• Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand
• Norwegian Agriculture Agency (Landbruksdirektoratet)
• Ministerio de Agricultura y Riego del Perú
• Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Poland
• Ministério da Agricultura e Pescas, Portugal
• National Institute of Statistics, Romania
• Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Natural Resources and Co-operatives, Saint Lucia
• Ministry of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, South Africa
• Department of Agriculture Sri Lanka
• Jordbruksverket, Sweden
• Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand
• Turkish Statistical Institute
• Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores del Uruguay
• General Statistics Office of Viet Nam

v
FOREWORD
The Major Tropical Fruits Market Review is issued on an annual basis to Members and Observers of the Subgroup on
Tropical Fruits of the Intergovernmental Group on Bananas and on Tropical Fruits, which is a subsidiary body of the
Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP).

It is prepared by the Team on Responsible Global Value Chains, Markets and Trade Division, Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome.

The Team on Responsible Global Value Chains collects data and conducts analysis on trade in bananas and tropical
fruit and carries out research and analysis on global value chains and agricultural commodities. Regular publications
include market reviews, outlook appraisals and projections for bananas and tropical fruits. The team also provides
technical assistance to developing countries in designing and implementing national policies regarding responsible
value chains in agriculture.

The report is available at the following FAO website:

https://www.fao.org/markets-and-trade/commodities/tropical-fruits

vi
DEVELOPMENTS AT A GLANCE
World exports of major tropical fruits rose by approximately 8 percent in 2023, to almost USD 10.8
billion in constant 2014–2016 dollar terms, marking the highest level reached thus far.

The main drivers of trade were higher output in the main production zones for most major tropical
fruits, including a steep increase in global supplies of avocado, as well as firm demand in major
import markets.

Developments by commodity:
• Global exports of mango, mangosteen and guava grew by 5.2 percent, to 2.4 million tonnes.
• Global pineapple exports expanded by 3.9 percent, to 3.2 million tonnes.
• Global exports of avocado rose by 10.6 percent, to 2.8 million tonnes.
• Global exports of papayas contracted by 2.6 percent, to 370 000 tonnes.

Despite the overall positive supply situation at the global level, concerns surrounding adverse
weather events as well as the spread of plant diseases continued to negatively impact producers in
some cases and locations, especially regarding the cultivation of papayas.

Because of a relatively strong global import demand, indicative world average export unit values
displayed an overall tendency to increase, with the exception of avocados, whose unit values
declined owing to the fast growth in supplies in 2023.

vii
 Major Tropical Fruits Market Review ⚫ 2023 ⚫

higher production in both South American and Asian

Overview suppliers, but also from the resolution of the supply
Available full year data indicate that the volume of chain disruptions that had affected shipments to
world trade in major tropical fruits1 in 2023 rose to a China in 2022. However, detrimental weather
new peak of USD 10.8 billion in constant dollar terms, conditions, including the aftermath of hurricanes
marking an increase of approximately 8 percent from Dora and Julia, and a lack of sunshine, reduced papaya
2022 (Figure 1). This constituted a strong recovery production in key producing areas and impeded their
from the decline experienced in 2022 and placed the exports.
global aggregate export volume some 5 percent
above their previous peak of USD 10.3 billion in On the import side, positive developments in the
constant dollar terms registered in 2021. It is hospitality sector supported demand growth in both
noteworthy that the drop in 2022 was due entirely to the United States of America and the European Union,
lower exports from Central America and the the two main importers, particularly of avocados and
Caribbean. Furthermore, with the exception of 2022, pineapples. In both markets, consumers reportedly
growth in exports over the past decade was highest also displayed a higher propensity to spend on
from the two regions with the already highest exports, nutrient-rich foods in retail outlets despite the
Central America and the Caribbean and South inflationary pressures. Industry sources attributed
America. this to the relatively elastic nature of demand for most
major tropical fruits. Demand for tropical fruits in
Favourable weather conditions resulted in higher
China, meanwhile, reportedly also continued on a
outputs in several major tropical fruit production
zones, most notably a steep increase in avocado positive trajectory, as Chinese customers continued to
supplies from Mexico and in pineapple supplies from display a growing interest in, and propensity to spend
Costa Rica. Exports of the commodity cluster mango, on, premium imported tropical fruits, especially in the
mangosteen and guava similarly benefited from case of fresh pineapples and mangosteens.

Figure 1. Major tropical fruits: global aggregate export volumes, 2013 to 2023, USD billion, (constant 2014–2016
prices)

12
USD billion, (constant

10
2014–2016 prices)

0
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Africa 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.7 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.9 1.0
Asia 1.3 1.2 1.0 1.2 1.3 1.2 1.7 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.8
Central America and the Caribbean 3.0 3.3 3.7 4.1 4.2 4.7 4.8 4.9 5.0 4.6 5.0
South America 1.0 1.3 1.2 1.3 1.5 1.8 1.8 2.0 2.5 2.5 2.4
Others 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4

1
This note defines major tropical fruits as pineapple, avocado, papaya and the commodity cluster composed of mango,
mangosteen and guava.

1
Major Tropical Fruits Market Review ⚫ 2023 ⚫

Globally, pineapple, avocado and mango continued to sensitivity in transport, which renders Central and
be the three most significantly traded tropical fruits in South American produce less suitable for supply to far
terms of their export quantities in 2023, bananas afield destinations, including the European Union. The
aside (Figure 2). With global exports of approximately situation was further complicated by a mounting
3.2 million tonnes, pineapples remained the reluctance of consumers in key European Union
predominant commodity in quantity, with their markets to purchase produce imported by air2.
popularity primarily driven by the fruit’s low average
export unit values. However, in value terms, avocados
accounted for some 60 percent of global trade in
Developments in world
major tropical fruits in 2023 (Figure 2) due to the
significantly higher average export unit value of this
average export unit values
fruit, which is typically a multiple of the average World average export unit values of all four major
export unit value of pineapples. In addition, global tropical fruits (Figure 3) continued to reflect closely
trade in avocados experienced very fast growth in their respective supply and demand conditions over
quantity terms in 2023, further consolidating the the course of 2023.
strong position of this commodity in global tropical
fruit markets. The commodity cluster mango, Average export unit values of avocados dipped from a
mangosteen, and guava, meanwhile, accounted for peak of USD 2 603 in October to a trough of USD 1 749
approximately one quarter of global major tropical per tonne in July 2023, and fluctuated at relatively low
fruit trade in both quantity and constant value terms levels thereafter, as abundant supplies from the two
in 2023. At an export quantity of only 370 000 tonnes, major exporters, Mexico and Peru, outstripped
papayas continued to play only a marginal role in demand in world markets. Over the full year, average
international markets. A major obstacle to a export unit values of avocados thereby remained
significant expansion in global papaya trade, outside 10 percent below their 2022 level, at a reported USD
of its main destination of the United States of 2 265 per tonne, the lowest recorded since 2015.
America, remains the fruit’s high perishability and

Figure 2. Major tropical fruits: Share of 2023 export quantities by type, measured in USD (constant 2014–2016 prices)
and tonnes

USD, (constant
57% 26% 3% 14%
2014–2016 prices)

tonnes 32% 27% 4% 36%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Avocado Mango, Mangosteen, and Guava Papaya Pineapple

2
https://www.freshplaza.com/europe/article/9585769/global-market-overview-papayas/

2
 Major Tropical Fruits Market Review ⚫ 2023 ⚫

World average export unit values for the commodity export unit value remained largely unchanged from
cluster mango, mangosteen and guava, meanwhile, 2022, at USD 809 per tonne, due to the effect of
continued to largely follow their regular seasonal seasonal price decline between July and October
variations throughout the year, starting from USD 2023.
1 260 in January 2023 and ranging noticeably above
their 2022 level in the last quarter. On average, export
unit values for this commodity group stood 8 percent
Risks and uncertainties
higher in 2023 than in the previous year. The outlook for global production, trade and
consumption of tropical fruits is subject to several
World export unit values of pineapples averaged potentially significant risks and uncertainties.
11 percent higher in 2023 than in 2022, on account of Elevated inflation rates, high interest expenses and
firm demand in both key destinations, the United exchange rate fluctuations threaten to hinder
States of America and the European Union. demand in domestic and import markets, especially
Notoriously characterized by relatively little for consumers in poorer economic strata. With
fluctuation, average export unit values of pineapples several ongoing wars affecting the global economy,
started the year at an average of USD 627 per tonne the risks of potential future disruptions to local and
in January 2023, lingered around USD 650 to 660 per global supply chains, fertilizer markets, transport
tonne between June and September, and finished at routes and access to export markets add further
USD 683 per tonne in December, the highest average uncertainties to the outlook. Geopolitical
unit value recorded since 2017. uncertainties that may result in the disruption of
established trade relationships and potentially cause
World average export unit values of papayas, large effects on domestic and global markets are of
meanwhile, rose from USD 775 per tonne in January additional concern.
2023 to USD 901 per tonne in December 2023, on
account of the positive demand situation in the On the supply side, the effects of global warming are
United States of America, the main importer of resulting in a higher occurrence of droughts, floods,
papayas. Over the full year, however, the average hurricanes and other natural hazards, which render

Figure 3. Major tropical fruits: World average export unit values, January 2021 to December 2023, USD per tonne
3 500

3 000

2 500
USD per tonne

2 000

1 500

1 000

500

01–2021 07–2021 01–2022 07–2022 01–2023 07–2023

Mango, Mangosteen and Guava Pineapples Avocado Papaya

3
Major Tropical Fruits Market Review ⚫ 2023 ⚫

the production of major tropical fruits increasingly

challenging and costly. This is a particularly acute Commodity Briefs
difficulty, as the vast majority of tropical fruits are
produced in remote, informal settings, where Mango, mangosteen and
cultivation is highly dependent on rainfall, prone to
the adverse effects of increasingly erratic weather guava
events and disconnected from major transport routes.
The risk of adverse conditions limiting the production Exports
of fruits that meet the quality levels demanded by Global exports of mango, mangosteen and guava grew
consumers in importing markets is therefore high. to 2.4 million tonnes in 2023, an increase of 5.2
percent from the previous year. Higher exports of
Importing countries are increasingly enacting laws mangosteen from Thailand, as well as of mangoes
requiring producers and businesses to adopt from Brazil and Mexico, were the main driving factor
responsible practices and perform mandatory due behind this. In terms of export quantities by type at
diligence to address various sustainability risks. the global level, mango continued to account for
Complying with these regulations may take time for around 85 percent of global shipments and
producers and exporters, as it requires the generation mangosteen for around 15 percent. As previously,
of information and development of new skills for guava continued to display a low availability in import
effective due diligence. These requirements also markets, in particular due to its lower suitability for
entail additional costs for businesses and the need for transport.
staff capacity development. Given the perishable
nature of tropical fruits in production, trade and Favourable weather conditions in Mexico resulted in a
distribution, environmental challenges, insufficient successful expansion in domestic production as well
infrastructure, transport bottlenecks and challenges as satisfactory fruit quality. Data provided by the
complying with sustainability requirements continue Mexican government in May 2024 indicate that
to jeopardize production and supply to international mango harvested area in the country expanded by 6
markets. percent in 2023, leading to an equivalent increase in
production quantities. Available trade data for 2023
Producer organizations and governments of accordingly show that exports from Mexico grew by
producing and importing countries have a key role to 3.5 percent over the full year, to some 480 000
play in mitigating the possible impacts stemming from tonnes, thereby consolidating the country’s 21
these various risks, particularly in view of their percent market share in global mango exports.
potential repercussions for smallholder farmers and According to trade data by destination provided by
workers employed in the industry. Close co-ordination the Mexico National Institute of Statistics, some 80
of the capacity development and extension activities percent of Mexican mangoes were destined for the
of all concerned national institutions and value chain United States of America, and some 7 percent for
actors will be beneficial to the development of proper Canada in 2023. According to industry sources,
policies, regulations and strategic measures that mangoes from Mexico continued to be met with rising
address these challenges in a comprehensive way. consumer demand in the United States of America
The transparent collaboration among all stakeholders due to their flavour and texture characteristics.
of the tropical fruit sector will be critical, especially
with regard to addressing current and future Exports from Thailand, the leading supplier of
sustainability concerns related to the expansion of mangosteens to world markets, rose by some 12
this industry. percent in 2023, to 370 000 tonnes, as production of
mangosteens remained strong and the supply chain
disruptions that had affected shipments to China in
2022 resolved. In 2023, China procured some 88
percent of Thai exports of mangosteen, at a relatively
high price of USD 2 118 per tonne, as the premium

4
 Major Tropical Fruits Market Review ⚫ 2023 ⚫

quality of Thai fruits continued to be met with firm European Union, Brazil benefits from its ability to
consumer demand in China. Data provided by the produce mangoes perennially, including a number of
Thailand Ministry of Finance indicate an average varieties that are popular in key European import
export unit value for shipments from Thailand to markets such as Tommy Atkins, Keitt and Kent.
China of USD 2 110 per tonne in 2023, a 6-percent
year-on-year rise. Aside from China, Thailand also In terms of emerging suppliers to world markets,
supplies fresh mangosteens in significant quantities to available data for India show a drop in mango exports
Viet Nam as well as fresh mangoes to Malaysia, albeit of some 35 percent, pointing to a full-year estimate of
both at substantially lower average export unit values 110 000 tonnes. India ranks by far as the largest
of only around USD 550 to 600 per tonne. producer of mangoes globally, at a production
quantity of 26.3 million tonnes in 2022, as reported by
Exports of mango, mangosteen and guava from South the latest officially available FAOSTAT data. Strong
American suppliers declined by 10.5 percent in 2023, domestic demand for mangoes in the country means
to some 500 000 tonnes, as shipments from Peru and that supplies almost exclusively cater to the domestic
Ecuador, two of the three key suppliers from the market. In 2023, lucrative domestic prices reportedly
region, were affected by adverse weather conditions. reduced the quantities available for export markets,
Trade data for 2023 accordingly indicate a contraction thereby causing the decline in exports from India.
of 21 percent for shipments from Peru, to just below Generally, some 25 to 30 percent of shipments from
200 000 tonnes. Exports from Ecuador, which are India are supplied to the United Arab Emirates and
almost exclusively destined to the United States of Saudi Arabia, where demand for tropical fruits has
America, dropped to 27 000 tonnes, a decrease of 58 been burgeoning in recent years, and another 10
percent from 2022. Favourable weather conditions, percent to neighbouring Nepal. Available data for
meanwhile, resulted in a 15-percent increase in exports from Pakistan, meanwhile, suggest that the
supplies from Brazil, to approximately 270 000 country saw a rise in shipments by 20 percent in 2023,
tonnes. Shipments from Peru and Brazil are primarily to 130 000 tonnes.
destined for European Union markets, with only some
20 to 30 percent of exports from either country
reaching the United States of America. In the
Figure 4. Mango, Mangosteen and Guava: Export quantities from the leading exporters, 2019 to 2023, thousand
tonnes

600

2019 2023
500

400
Thousand tonnes

300

200

100

0
Mexico Thailand Brazil Peru India

5
Major Tropical Fruits Market Review ⚫ 2023 ⚫

fell by a reported 20 percent in 2023, to

Imports approximately 270 000 tonnes, equivalent to 12
Total global import quantities of fresh mangoes, percent of global imports. Chinese imports of this
mangosteens, and guavas rose by 2 percent in 2023, commodity group are dominated by mangosteens,
to 2.3 million tonnes, as suggested by available trade which accounted for some 95 percent of total
data. The United States of America and the European quantities in 2023, according to available data on
Union remained the two leading global importers, imports by type provided by China Customs Statistics.
with import shares of 25 percent and 17 percent, Growth in imports of this commodity group to China
respectively. In both markets, consumer demand for had in previous years been driven by higher
mangoes increased slightly, driven by a mounting procurements of mangosteens from Thailand.
nutritional awareness of the assumed health benefits However, in 2022, substantially higher imports of
of these fruits. However, import growth was only mangoes from Viet Nam and Cambodia, which
registered in the European Union in 2023, on account respectively reached some 50 000 tonnes and 28 000
of a positive supply situation in Brazil. Shipments to tonnes, also played a large role. Available import data
the United States of America, meanwhile, were by origin for 2023 show near-100 percent declines in
hindered by the supply shortages in Peru and Ecuador, procurements from these two suppliers, which could
two of the top five exporters of mangoes to the United not be offset by higher imports from Thailand. This
States of America. Overall, imports into the United impeded the overall growth prospects of imports of
States of America thereby contracted by 3 percent in this commodity cluster by China. In terms of average
2023, to approximately 570 000 tonnes. Imports into import unit values, shipments of mangosteens to
the European Union, meanwhile, grew by 2.4 percent, China continued to range at a high level of USD 3 013
to some 400 000 tonnes. Available data further show per tonne, the same as recorded in 2022, as indicated
that unit values at the import stage rose in both by available data.
markets, by around 5 to 6 percent, to averages of USD
1 509 in the United States of America and USD 2 000 Further noteworthy importers of mango,
in the European Union. mangosteens and guavas continued to be
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which
Imports by China, the third leading global importer of respectively procured some 95 000 and 120 000
mangoes, mangosteens and guavas in recent years, tonnes from world markets in 2023, following fast
growth of 40 percent for the United Arab Emirates.
Figure 5. Mango: United States of America, Indicative average wholesale prices, January 2021 to December 2023,
USD per kg
4

3
USD per kg

01–2021 07–2021 01–2022 07–2022 01–2023 07–2023

6
 Major Tropical Fruits Market Review ⚫ 2023 ⚫

Available trade data for 2023 indicate that imports of

this commodity cluster by Saudi Arabia continued to Pineapple
be dominated by fresh or dried mangoes at 88.6
percent, with guavas accounting for 11 percent, and
Exports
mangosteens making up only a negligible share of Based on available trade data, global exports of
total imports. The main origins of mango imports to pineapples grew by 3.9 percent in 2023, to 3.2 million
Saudi Arabia in 2023 were Yemen, Egypt and Pakistan, tonnes, determined largely by higher supplies from
with procurements from Yemen and Egypt showing Costa Rica, the world’s largest exporter at a market
year-on-year growth of 49 percent and 33 percent, share of some 65 percent. According to industry
respectively. information, weather conditions in key Costa Rican
growing areas were favourable for the cultivation of
Indicative average wholesale prices of mangoes in the pineapples throughout 2023, resulting in higher yields
United States of America (Figure 5), which exclude and thus higher supplies for export. Lower freight
mangosteen and guava, continued to reflect seasonal costs, in particular to the United States of America,
fluctuations in supply and demand over the course of additionally supported export growth from the
2023, but ranged some 9 percent above their average country. Shipments from Costa Rica accordingly
of 2022. Prices stood as low as USD 1.08 in January increased by 5 percent in 2023, to 2.1 million tonnes,
2023, reached a peak of USD 2.94 per kilogram in April in strong contrast with the near 5-percent drop
2023, ranged between USD 1.60 and 1.80 per experienced in 2022. However, industry sources
kilogram from May to August, when competition from reported that despite this positive performance, there
cheaper summer fruits exerted downward pressure, was a noticeable reduction in planted area in Costa
then rose again to USD 3.61 per kilogram in December Rica, as smaller pineapple farmers had been
2023. At an average of USD 2.28 per kilogram over the discouraged from continuing their operations in view
full year of 2023, the United States of America of the low profit margins that had prevailed in this
wholesale prices thereby ranged some 25 percent industry for many years. In terms of leading
higher than their five-year average registered before destinations, pineapple shipments from Costa Rica
the pandemic. continued to be almost exclusively destined to the

Figure 6. Pineapple: Export quantities from the leading exporters, 2019 to 2023, thousand tonnes
2 500

2019 2023

2 000
Thousand tonnes

1 500

1 000

500

Costa Rica Philippines Ecuador Mexico

7
Major Tropical Fruits Market Review ⚫ 2023 ⚫

United States of America and the European Union, are almost exclusively destined for the United States
where demand reportedly remained firm. The of America, where the country ranks as the third
average export unit value of shipments from leading origin of pineapple imports behind Costa Rica
Costa Rica to world markets was USD 554 per tonne in and Honduras. The average export unit value of
2023, a year-on-year increase of 12 percent. shipments from Mexico to world markets stood at
USD 788 per tonne in 2023, an increase of 7.8 percent
Exports from the Philippines, the second leading from 2022.
exporter of pineapples to global markets, expanded
by a reported 2.7 percent in 2023, to some 600 000 Exports from Côte d’Ivoire, the leading African
tonnes. Trade data by destination show a 3-percent supplier of pineapples to world markets, declined by
increase in shipments to China in 2023, the leading nearly 30 percent in 2023, to around 23 000 tonnes,
recipient of pineapples from the Philippines at a share well below their previous five-year-average of 30 000
of some 43 percent. Industry sources reported that tonnes. While at the time of writing no confirmed
imports of pineapples from the Philippines to China information on the underlying causes was available, it
benefited from higher Chinese demand for premium is assumed that adverse weather conditions resulted
quality pineapples. In this regard, the long shelf life, in a reduction in supplies in terms of both quantity
year-round production cycle and attractive price-to- and quality, causing difficulties to cater to import
quality ratio of the MD2 pineapples, the main variety demand from European Union markets. Trade data by
cultivated in the Philippines, proved to be a destination suggest that France and Belgium
particularly strong selling point. Further key import continued to be the two key destinations of
markets for pineapples from the Philippines remained pineapples from Côte d’Ivoire, jointly procuring some
Japan and the Republic of Korea in 2023, at quantity 68 percent of the country’s total shipments in 2023.
shares of some 30 percent and 14 percent, The average export unit value of shipments from
respectively. Shipments of Filipino pineapples to both Côte d’Ivoire to world markets was at USD 451 per
destinations expanded by some 6 to 8 percent in tonne in 2023, a year-on-year increase of 1.5 percent.
2023. The average export unit value of shipments
from the Philippines to world markets was USD 593
per tonne in 2023, an increase of 3.8 percent from the Imports
previous year. Shipments from Ecuador, the leading Available full-year trade data point to an increase of
exporter of pineapples from South America, grew by global imports of pineapples by 2.2 percent in 2023,
a reported 13.7 percent in 2023, to approximately to 3 million tonnes. According to industry information,
110 000 tonnes. Data on trade flows by destination demand in the United States of America and the
indicate that Ecuador sent approximately 42 percent European Union continued to be firm throughout the
of its total exports in 2023 to the European Union, year. In both markets, a large share of pineapples is
some 23 percent to Chile, and some 21 percent to the consumed outside of the home. Estimates for the
United States of America. On account of firm demand United States of America, for example, indicate that
from the United States of America, pineapple exports food service sales account on average for some 60
from Ecuador to this destination expanded by nearly percent of total sales. While availability from the main
200 percent in 2023, accompanied by an 18-percent global supplier, Costa Rica, increased substantially
increase in the average export unit value, to USD 704 compared to 2022, industry sources reported that this
per tonne. As regards global exports, meanwhile, the was not enough to satisfy demand in 2023.
average export unit value of shipments from Ecuador
was USD 558 per tonne in 2023, an increase of 4.6 Aided by relatively stable sales in the hospitality
percent from the previous year. sector, imports by the United States of America grew
by 2.8 percent in 2023, to 1.2 million tonnes.
Pineapple exports from Mexico, a comparatively small Conversely, imports by the European Union, the
exporter of pineapples to global markets, fell by second largest importer, contracted very slightly at a
nearly 13 percent, to approximately 40 000 tonnes in rate of 0.1 percent, as importers reported issues to
2023, as supplies continued to be affected by procure supplies from Costa Rica. Imports by the
weather-induced shortages. Shipments from Mexico European Union accordingly stood at approximately

8
 Major Tropical Fruits Market Review ⚫ 2023 ⚫

770 000 tonnes, some 17 percent below their

previous 5-year-average. In terms of global market Avocado
shares, the United States of America procured about
39 percent of global export supplies in 2023, and the
Exports
European Union some 26 percent. Global exports of avocado expanded by 10.6 percent
in 2023, to slightly over 2.8 million tonnes, on account
Imports by China, the third leading global importer of of a very positive supply situation in Mexico, the
pineapples, grew by 2.6 percent in 2023, to 220 000 world’s leading exporter. Available data and
tonnes, as consumer demand for high quality fresh information further indicate that exports from several
pineapples continued to rise. Official crop data from other origins, importantly Peru and Kenya, also grew
China show that pineapple production grew by 4.6 at fast rates, as further described below.
percent in 2023, to some 2 million tonnes, almost
exclusively destined to the domestic market. Available data for exports from Mexico indicate an
However, amid changing consumer preferences, expansion in shipments from the country of 16.4
import growth continued to be driven not only by the percent in 2023, to 1.4 million tonnes, some 200 000
need for higher volumes but also by growing demand tonnes above the previous year’s level. This marked a
for more premium pineapples, with the MD2 variety strong recovery from the weather-induced
from the Philippines particularly sought after. production losses and shortages in export supplies
experienced in 2022. Data provided by the Mexican
Indicative average wholesale prices of pineapple in government in May 2024 indicate that avocado
the United States of America (Figure 7) varied harvested area in the country expanded by 7.2
considerably throughout 2023, starting off at USD percent in 2023, and that production quantities grew
1.17 per kilogram in January, then rising to a peak of by 17 percent. These figures illustrate the significant
USD 2.08 per kilogram in July, and declining thereafter investments that this sector continues to receive in
to USD 1.13 per kilogram in December. Over the full Mexico. However, on the back of high supplies, the
year of 2023, average wholesale prices thereby stood average export unit value of shipments from Mexico
at USD 1.47 per kilogram, some 18 percent higher dropped to USD 2 296 per tonne in 2023, some 30
than in 2022. percent lower than in the previous year.
Approximately 80 percent of Mexico’s avocado
exports were destined to the United States of America
in 2023, some 7 percent to Canada, and the remainder
mostly to Japan and the European Union. In global
trade, Mexico, where avocados originate, typically
accounts for some 50 to 55 percent of total avocado
Figure 7. Pineapple: United States of America, Indicative average wholesale prices January 2021 to December 2023,
USD per kg
3

2
USD per kg

01–2021 07–2021 01–2022 07–2022 01–2023 07–2023

9
Major Tropical Fruits Market Review ⚫ 2023 ⚫

export quantities. This is due to Mexico’s ability to country had invested in significant area expansion for
produce the fruit in all seasons and its focus on the avocados in recent years, more than tripling the
higher quality Hass variety, which is in greater harvested area since 2015, to 27 806 ha in 2022, as
demand in world markets than other varieties. indicated by the latest official production data
reported to FAO. More than half of Kenya’s exports
Exports from Peru, meanwhile, continued to benefit are supplied to European Union markets, where the
from favourable weather and successful prior country has been able to compete well on account of
investments in production expansion, the very low average export unit values, which ranged
combination of which stimulated not only higher around USD 1 166 in 2023, some 27 percent lower
supplies but also better quality of produce. Available than the average unit values of shipments from Peru
trade data suggest that exports from the country to the European Union, for example.
expanded by 2.7 percent in 2023, to some 600 000
tonnes. Peru thereby further consolidated its position Other globally significant exporters of avocado
as the second leading supplier of avocados to world continued to be Chile and South Africa, which also
markets, behind Mexico, at a quantity share of 21 primarily supply the European Union. Exports from
percent in 2023. The positive trade performance was Chile dropped by a reported 36 percent in 2023, to
further enabled by the comparatively low prices for some 70 000 tonnes, as spring frosts in September
shipments from Peru, reflected by export unit values 2022 had reportedly damaged the growing cycle.
which averaged USD 1 610 in 2023, an increase of 5.7 Another factor restraining avocado exports from Chile
percent from the previous year but a remarkable 30 was the relatively strong domestic demand for
percent lower than the average export unit value for avocados, which continued to divert produce away
avocados from Mexico. Peruvian avocados are from export markets.
predominantly sold through previously agreed
contracts instead of the spot market, meaning that Exports from South Africa, meanwhile, grew by 4.5
prices received tend not to follow the most recent percent in 2023, to some 66 000 tonnes. Available
market developments. Approximately 50 percent of trade data show that nearly 80 percent of supplies
shipments from Peru continued to be destined for from South Africa were destined to the European
European Union markets in 2023, mainly to the Union in 2023, where avocados continued to be met
Kingdom of the Netherlands, an important trade hub with rising consumer demand. Available data for 2023
in the European Union, and Spain. indicate a 6.8 percent year-on-year rise in the average
unit value of shipments from South Africa, to USD
Exports from Kenya, an emerging supplier to global 2 030 per tonne.
markets and the leading African avocado exporter,
grew by 18.7 percent, to 120 000 tonnes in 2023. The

Figure 8. Avocado: Export quantities from the leading exporters, 2019 to 2023, thousand tonnes
1 500

2019 2023
Thousand tonnes

1 000

500

Mexico Peru Chile Kenya South Africa

10
 Major Tropical Fruits Market Review ⚫ 2023 ⚫

where imports expanded by 16 percent, mainly on

Imports account of higher procurements from Peru, as Spanish
Available data and information indicate that global production was heavily impeded by drought in 2023.
imports of avocados rose by 14 percent in 2023, to Avocado imports by Germany, one of the larger
slightly below 2.8 million tonnes. Continuously firm importers of avocados within the European Union,
demand in the two major import markets, the United meanwhile, registered growth in imports of 20
States of America and the European Union, which percent in 2023. However, it is important to note that
respectively accounted for 43 percent and 27 percent most countries within the European Union primarily
of global imports in 2023, as well as significant growth procured avocados re-exported from the Kingdom of
in global supplies, were the main reasons supporting the Netherlands, an important regional trade hub,
this fast expansion in imports. As such, imports by the which typically accounts for some 50 percent of the
United States of America rose by 11.5 percent in 2023, European Union’s total imports and on average re-
to 1.2 million tonnes. The country typically imports exports some 90 percent of their gross avocado
some 90 percent of avocados from Mexico and imports.
benefited from the positive supply situation in this
origin in 2023. In the face of high supplies, which On account of the ample supply situation, indicative
outstripped growth in demand, available trade data average wholesale prices of avocado in the United
show a year-on-year decrease in the average US States of America (Figure 9) ranged some 9 percent
import unit value of 18 percent in 2023, to USD 2 447 lower in 2023 than in 2022. Prices displayed a strong
per tonne. upward movement throughout the first half of the
year, increasing from a relatively low level of USD 2.95
Imports into the European Union similarly rose by 12 per kilogram in January to a peak of USD 9.39 per
percent in 2023, to approximately 760 000 tonnes. As kilogram in August 2023, the highest level reported in
in the United States of America, consumption across over one decade, gradually declining thereafter to
the European Union continued to gain in popularity USD 4.78 per kilogram in December 2023. Over the
among an increasingly health-conscious population, full year of 2023, the average thereby amounted to
with avocados widely perceived as a highly nutritious USD 5.08 per kilogram, substantially lower than the
fruit. Within the European Union, fast expansion USD 6.37 per kilogram recorded over the previous
continued to be seen in Poland, an emerging avocado year.
consuming country, which posted import growth of
27 percent in 2023. Growth was also strong in Spain,

Figure 9. Avocado: United States of America, Indicative average wholesale prices, January 2021 to December 2023,
USD per kg
10

6
USD per kg

01–2021 07–2021 01–2022 07–2022 01–2023 07–2023

11
Major Tropical Fruits Market Review ⚫ 2023 ⚫

destined for the United States of America in 2023,

Papaya where papayas of the Tainung variety are well
Exports received on the grounds of their versatility,
consistency in quality and transportability. The
Available trade data indicate a contraction in global remaining share of Guatemalan papaya exports
exports of papayas by 2.6 percent in 2023, to 370 000 primarily reached neighbouring El Salvador, where
tonnes. Supplies from Mexico, the largest global import demand continued to be driven by low
exporter of papayas, declined by 2.2 percent to just domestic production and low average export unit
below 200 000 tonnes, on account of adverse weather values of Guatemalan papayas, which traded at
conditions, including a lack of sunshine during the around USD 215 per tonne in 2023. In view of the
early autumn months, hindering production. Data production difficulties, however, shipments to both
provided by the Mexican government in May 2024 destinations showed large declines over the first
indicate that, although the papaya harvested area seven months of the year.
remained virtually unchanged from 2022, production
quantities declined by 4.6 percent, reflecting a Shipments from Brazil, one of the leading producers
noticeable decrease in yields. Virtually all Mexican of papayas globally, meanwhile fell by a reported 5
papaya exports are destined for the United States of percent in 2023, to some 38 000 tonnes. Industry
America, which globally ranks as the largest importer sources reported that, against a positive supply
of papayas, accounting for over half of all global situation in Brazil, the main obstacle to higher
imports in 2023, as indicated by trade data by shipments from the country was the decision of a
destination. major European discount supermarket chain to
discontinue procurements of air freighted produce,
The second and third leading suppliers of papayas to alongside generally negative media coverage of this
world markets continued to be Guatemala and Brazil, topic. Despite these demand-side difficulties,
which exported some 43 000 tonnes and 38 000 available data indicate a rise in the average export
tonnes in 2023, respectively. Exports of papayas from unit value from Brazil to most European Union
Guatemala contracted by 14.9 percent in 2023, as destinations of around 20 to 25 percent, with unit
production continued to suffer from the damage values ranging around USD 1 500 per tonne in 2023.
caused by a tropical storm in October 2022. As a As in the case of Mexico, the bulk of Brazilian papaya
result, papaya exports from Guatemala remained production caters to the domestic market, where
lower than the 5-year average of 57 000 tonnes demand for the fruit remains high, but is more price
achieved between 2017 and 2021. According to trade sensitive than for exporters. According to industry
data provided by the Guatemala National Institute of information, in view of the strong supply situation,
Statistics, approximately 63 percent of supplies were domestic prices for papayas dropped by some 30
Figure 10. Papaya: Export quantities from the leading exporters, 2019 to 2023, thousand tonnes
250
2019 2023
200
Thousand tonnes

150

100

50

0
Mexico Guatemala Brazil Malaysia

12
 Major Tropical Fruits Market Review ⚫ 2023 ⚫

percent in the first half of 2023, to approximately USD benefiting from their reputation of being a rich source
310 per tonne, clearly demonstrating the significant of vitamin C. The Mexican papaya industry had
price differential between domestic and export furthermore jointly implemented stringent efforts to
markets. improve the quality and food safety of their produce,
in compliance with the requirements of regulatory
Papaya exports from Malaysia declined by 14.9 authorities, which successfully reduced border reject
percent in 2023, to around 14 000 tonnes. Supplies rates.
from Malaysia are almost exclusively destined for
Singapore, where the fruit enjoys popularity. In The second leading importer globally continued to be
international markets, the main papaya variety grown the European Union, albeit with a much lower share
in Malaysia, Sekaki, is reportedly less competitive. in world imports of only 9 percent in 2023. Consumer
According to industry information provided by the awareness of papaya in the European Union generally
International Tropical Fruits Network in December remains low, mostly due to the fruit’s fragility in
2023, papaya shipments from Malaysia continued to transport, which renders a significant expansion in
be hampered by high costs of production and this market difficult to attain. Since the bulk of
concerns about the impact of bacterial plant diseases, papayas available in the European Union are imported
which prompted farmers to switch to planting other via air freight from Brazil, the increasingly negative
cash crops. In particular the bacterial dieback disease consumer sentiment towards this mode of transport
caused by phytopathogenic bacteria Erwinia further impeded growth. Available data accordingly
mallotivora, which had destroyed the Eksotika variety indicate that imports by the European Union
previously grown in Malaysia and started to affect the remained at a relatively low level of 32 000 tonnes in
newer Sekaki variety, was quoted as another factor 2023, following a decrease of 1.8 percent from the
impeding Malaysian papaya production in 2023. previous year.

Indicative average wholesale prices of papayas in the

Imports United States of America remained at a high level
Available data suggest that global imports remained during 2023, especially during the summer months,
largely stable at some 350 000 tonnes in 2023, with when they reached a peak of USD 9.48 per kilogram in
the United States of America ranking as the largest June. Although prices returned to below USD 9 per
importer at a quantity share of 61 percent. Imports by kilogram thereafter, averaging USD 8.96 per kilogram
the United States of America expanded by 7 percent between July and December 2023, the yearly average
in 2023, to nearly 220 000 tonnes. Industry sources of USD 8.58 per kilogram still remained significantly
stated that demand for papayas in the United States higher than the average prices recorded in the ten
of America remained solid in 2023, with papayas years before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Figure 9. Papaya: United States of America, Indicative average wholesale prices, January 2021 to December 2023,
USD per kg
12

10

8
USD per kg

01–2021 07–2021 01–2022 07–2022 01–2023 07–2023

13
NOTES

14
CONTACT
Markets and Trade Division – Economic and Social Development
CD1972EN/1/08.24

www.fao.org/markets-and-trade

Team on Responsible Global Value Chains

[email protected]

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Rome, Italy