Nearly 11 million tons of tropical fruit traded globally

Global production of tropical fruits has grown steadily over the past decade, predominantly in response to increasing demand in major producer areas. While tropical fruits play a small role in global agricultural trade in overall quantities, accounting for a mere 3 percent of world agricultural food products exports, their high average export unit value is well above USD 1 000 per tonne and places them as the third most valuable fruit group globally, behind bananas and apples. Trade in tropical fruits generates a substantial income for smallholder producers, as well as significant export earnings for many of the producing countries, thereby contributing to their food security.

3% of agrifood exports

Global trade in tropical fruits has expanded to unprecedented heights in recent years, reaching an estimated aggregate export volume of close to 11 million tonnes in 2023. Strong demand growth in key importing countries has led to ample investments in improving productivity and expanding production areas in supplying countries, notably for avocados.

9% estimated growth in 2025 to USD $12 billion value

World exports of major tropical fruits are estimated to have risen by approximately 9 percent in 2025, to USD 12 billion in constant 2014–2016 dollar terms, marking the highest level reached to date. Ample supplies and high fruit qualities from key production areas were the main reason behind this expansion, in particular for avocados, mangoes and papayas. Exports of pineapples, meanwhile, were affected by weather-related difficulties experienced in Costa Rica, the leading supplier of fresh pineapples to world markets. Logistical bottlenecks and high costs for shipping stemming from the Red Sea crisis affected exports from sub-Saharan origins, notably for avocados from Kenya and South Africa.

13 to 14% export growth for avocado and papayas

Estimated developments by commodity in 2025: Global exports of mango, mangosteen and guava are estimated to have grown by 7 percent, to 2.7 million tonnes. Global pineapple exports are estimated to have decreased by 5 percent, to 3.4 million tonnes.  Global exports of avocado are estimated to have risen by 13 percent, to 3.3 million tonnes. Global exports of papayas are estimated to have expanded by 14 percent, to 420 000 tonnes. Against strong global supplies, average export unit values as well as prices at wholesale level displayed downward trends for avocados, mangoes and papayas. Meanwhile, global supply shortages in pineapple production, resulted in substantial increases in the average export unit values for pineapples. Source: FAO

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