Top Papaya Producing Countries

Papaya (Carica papaya), a tropical fruit native to southern Mexico and Central America, has become a major crop worldwide due to its sweet flavor, nutritional value, and versatility. The cultivation of papaya spread from its native region following the Spanish and Portuguese colonization of the Americas in the 16th century, reaching the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, India, and Africa through trade and exploration. Today, the top papaya-producing countries are India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Brazil, and the Philippines, with India alone accounting for over 40% of global production. These countries benefit from warm climates and fertile soils, ideal for papaya growth. Papaya farming has evolved from small-scale, traditional methods to large commercial operations, employing improved cultivars, disease management, and modern irrigation techniques to meet global demand.

Data from United Nations FAO Stat