Papayas production in South Africa
In 2024 South Africa produced 7,782 t of papayas, the 40th largest in the world (0.05% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 47%. The record was 31,729 t in 1988. Area harvested: 854 ha, yield 9.1 t/ha.
- Production, 2024
- 7,782 t
- World rank
- 40 of 72
- 10-year change
- −47%
- Record
- 31,729 t
- 1988
Papayas in South Africa, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
South Africa compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.05%
- 0.11% in 2014
- Yield, t/ha
- 9.1
- world 31.3 (−71%)
- kg per person
- 0.12
- world 1.80
- 10-year change
- −47%
- world +11%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | Panama | 9,200 | 0.06% |
| 39 | Puerto Rico | 7,976 | 0.05% |
| 40 | South Africa | 7,782 | 0.05% |
| 41 | Fiji | 6,958 | 0.05% |
| 42 | Oman | 6,080 | 0.04% |
Map of world production of papayas
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change | Area harvested, ha | Yield, t/ha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7,782 | +2.0% | 854 | 9.11 |
| 2023 | 7,633 | −8.4% | 837 | 9.12 |
| 2022 | 8,330 | −11% | 912 | 9.13 |
| 2021 | 9,398 | −11% | 1,027 | 9.15 |
| 2020 | 10,555 | −20% | 1,152 | 9.16 |
| 2019 | 13,134 | +1.7% | 1,432 | 9.17 |
| 2018 | 12,909 | −6.0% | 1,407 | 9.17 |
| 2017 | 13,739 | −12% | 1,498 | 9.17 |
| 2016 | 15,525 | +4.6% | 1,699 | 9.14 |
| 2015 | 14,836 | +1.6% | 1,629 | 9.11 |
| 2014 | 14,602 | −1.8% | 1,650 | 8.85 |
| 2013 | 14,875 | +17% | 1,650 | 9.02 |
| 2012 | 12,713 | −4.5% | 1,650 | 7.70 |
| 2011 | 13,312 | +10% | 1,400 | 9.51 |
| 2010 | 12,076 | −15% | 1,300 | 9.29 |
| 2009 | 14,139 | −9.8% | 1,300 | 10.88 |
| 2008 | 15,667 | +1.4% | 1,600 | 9.79 |
| 2007 | 15,447 | +8.0% | 1,500 | 10.30 |
| 2006 | 14,297 | −6.4% | 1,503 | 9.51 |
| 2005 | 15,274 | +7.4% | 1,400 | 10.91 |
| 2004 | 14,223 | +12% | 1,800 | 7.90 |
| 2003 | 12,648 | −18% | 1,500 | 8.43 |
| 2002 | 15,449 | −30% | 1,900 | 8.13 |
| 2001 | 22,202 | +14% | 2,500 | 8.88 |
| 2000 | 19,516 | −17% | 2,300 | 8.49 |
| 1999 | 23,550 | +1.5% | 2,600 | 9.06 |
| 1998 | 23,208 | +2.1% | 2,200 | 10.55 |
| 1997 | 22,735 | −15% | 2,300 | 9.88 |
| 1996 | 26,795 | +27% | 2,700 | 9.92 |
| 1995 | 21,105 | +3.7% | 2,246 | 9.40 |
| 1994 | 20,344 | −4.4% | 2,166 | 9.39 |
| 1993 | 21,271 | +46% | 2,200 | 9.67 |
| 1992 | 14,578 | −47% | 2,100 | 6.94 |
| 1991 | 27,569 | −9.9% | 2,700 | 10.21 |
| 1990 | 30,598 | +15% | 2,900 | 10.55 |
| 1989 | 26,589 | −16% | 2,700 | 9.85 |
| 1988 | 31,729 | +9.6% | 2,900 | 10.94 |
| 1987 | 28,944 | +25% | 2,800 | 10.34 |
| 1986 | 23,070 | −0.7% | 2,400 | 9.61 |
| 1985 | 23,240 | +18% | 2,400 | 9.68 |
| 1984 | 19,761 | +0.9% | 2,400 | 8.23 |
| 1983 | 19,577 | +1.0% | 2,400 | 8.16 |
| 1982 | 19,374 | −21% | 2,400 | 8.07 |
| 1981 | 24,643 | +13% | 2,500 | 9.86 |
| 1980 | 21,753 | −13% | 2,400 | 9.06 |
| 1979 | 25,135 | +23% | 2,600 | 9.67 |
| 1978 | 20,354 | +2.9% | 2,400 | 8.48 |
| 1977 | 19,784 | −1.1% | 2,400 | 8.24 |
| 1976 | 20,010 | −3.0% | 2,400 | 8.34 |
| 1975 | 20,633 | +1.1% | 2,400 | 8.60 |
| 1974 | 20,415 | +12% | 2,400 | 8.51 |
| 1973 | 18,201 | −21% | 2,200 | 8.27 |
| 1972 | 23,181 | +11% | 2,500 | 9.27 |
| 1971 | 20,859 | −14% | 2,400 | 8.69 |
| 1970 | 24,243 | +34% | 2,600 | 9.32 |
| 1969 | 18,112 | −16% | 2,200 | 8.23 |
| 1968 | 21,643 | +7.6% | 2,400 | 9.02 |
| 1967 | 20,108 | +8.6% | 2,400 | 8.38 |
| 1966 | 18,519 | +14% | 2,200 | 8.42 |
| 1965 | 16,252 | −26% | 2,000 | 8.13 |
| 1964 | 22,089 | +38% | 2,500 | 8.84 |
| 1963 | 16,044 | −16% | 2,100 | 7.64 |
| 1962 | 19,065 | −6.4% | 2,200 | 8.67 |
| 1961 | 20,374 | — | 2,400 | 8.49 |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 855 t USD 909,000
- Exporter rank
- 23 of 70
- Imports
- 5,585 t USD 1.0 m
- Importer rank
- 11 of 107
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of papayas in South Africa?
South Africa produced 7,782 t in 2024, 0.05% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world for production of papayas?
South Africa ranked 40th of 72 countries in 2024. The largest producer was India with 36.1% of the world total.
How has the production of papayas in South Africa changed?
It fell by 47% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +11% for the world. The record was 31,729 t in 1988.
What is the yield of papayas in South Africa?
9.1 tonnes per hectare in 2024 (7,782 t from 854 ha), against a world average of 31.3 t/ha.
Does South Africa export or import papayas?
In 2024 South Africa reported exports of 855 t (USD 909,000) and imports of 5,585 t (USD 1.0 m), according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.