Steady growth for papaya in Norway

The market for papaya is seeing steady growth in Norway as the fruit becomes more popular with consumers. The tropical fruit is most commonly eaten raw, cut up in breakfast yogurt, fruit salads and green salads. However, they have yet to reach the popularity of other summer fruits.

Video from Bama showing consumers how to prepare papaya.

Just as with mangoes and avocados, Norwegian consumers prefer to buy papayas ready-to-eat.

Most papayas are sourced from Brazil, but some supplies also come from Ecuador by air. Transport by boat has proven difficult because the fruit often does not ripen properly and often arrived with stem rot and other quality issues which affects the flavour. The papaya has also proven difficult to ripen in Europe.

"Air transport has helped to bring a better developed papaya to Norway. These usually arrive tree-ripened and full of taste. Also, offering the big Formosa papayas in addition to the smaller ones has significantly contributed to market growth." shared Annelie Ohlsson, Product Manger for exotic fruit at BAMA.

According to Ohlsson, the current prices are fair and they have not experienced any major quality issues.

"It is important to raise the consumers’ awareness about such a healthy product. Papayas are packed with nutrients and contain several health benefits." concluded Ohlsson.