Global Market of Papaya and Its Import in Georgia: Small Volume but Growing Interest

The global papaya market has been receiving increasing attention in recent years. In 2024, its global value was estimated at around $9.5 billion, and further growth is expected in the coming years. India, Brazil, and Mexico remain the largest producers of papaya, but demand is rising notably in North America, Europe, and the Middle East.

One of the main reasons behind papaya’s success is its nutritional value: high vitamin C content, antioxidants, and fiber. After the pandemic, as consumers became more interested in immunity-boosting products, international demand for papaya gained even more momentum. Additionally, its use in smoothies, healthy salads, and tropical desserts has captured wider global appeal.

Against this backdrop, the question arises — what is the situation in Georgia?

Official data shows that in 2024, Georgia’s papaya imports amounted to only $9.8 thousand (source: Geostat). This very small volume clearly indicates that papaya is still not widely consumed. The Georgian market is more accustomed to exotic fruits like bananas, feijoa, or pineapples, while papaya remains a niche product.

Several factors may explain the low availability of papaya. Its relatively high price and short shelf life make it a less accessible option for everyday consumers. Transport costs, especially from distant countries, raise the final retail price, limiting broader consumption. At the same time, low awareness also plays a role: many consumers might not be familiar with papaya’s health benefits or its use in daily diets.

Nevertheless, healthy eating culture is growing steadily in Georgia. With the increase in smoothie bars, specialty stores, and organic farmers’ markets, there is real potential for papaya to become more available and popular. It will be interesting to observe whether the healthy living trend will boost import volumes in the coming years, or if papaya will remain a premium niche product.

At this stage, papaya remains an exclusive and relatively rare offering in Georgia, but broader market trends suggest there is room for growth. The key question is — how quickly will Georgian consumers embrace this new tropical experience?