Mexican papaya production doubles in a decade

Mexico’s papaya production has almost doubled in the past decade. According to figures from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, production grew 48.3 per cent, from 765,000 tonnes in 2013 to 1.135m tonnes in 2023 as a result of increased acreage and higher productivity.

In the ten years to 2023, the number of planted hectares increased from 16,367ha to 20,681ha, while average yields per hectare went from 51.4 tonnes to 56.8 tonnes.

Exports have also increased steadily, reaching a record 203,170 tonnes in 2022. According to the Agri-Food and Fisheries Information Service (SIAP), this gives Mexico a 46 per cent share of global exports. Its main market was the US, followed by Canada, Germany and the Netherlands.

In terms of output the main producing states are Oaxaca (288,000 tonnes), Colima (187,000 tonnes), Chiapas (150,000 tonnes), Veracruz (118,000 tonnes) and Michoacán (114,000 tonnes).