Papaya Production and Growth in Australia (2020)

Overview

Papaya is considered to be a tropical fruit that is abundantly found in Australia. The production of this fruit mainly occurs in the North of Australia and in some other regions in the Northern Territory.

Statistics

1. A total of 19,648 tonnes of papayas for produced this year. The total valuation was estimated at $31.8 million.
2. The supply per capita was estimated at 754 grams, based on the volume that was supplied.
3. While on their shopping trip, 18% of Australian households bought fresh red and yellow papaya. This amount to an average of 693 grams per shopping trip.

Health Benefits

Papaya contains high levels of antioxidants vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Diets high in antioxidants may reduce the risk of heart disease. The antioxidants prevent the oxidation of cholesterol. When cholesterol oxidizes, it’s more likely to create blockages that lead to heart disease. 

It has folic acid, which is essential for converting the amino acid homocysteine into less harmful amino acids. High levels of homocysteine, an amino acid primarily found in meat products, are a risk factor for heart disease. So eating this vegetable in a daily diet may lower homocysteine levels, reducing this risk factor.

Categories of Papayas

There are two main categories of these vegetables that are found in Australia. There are:

1. Red papaya, which accounts for 65% of the fresh produce.
2. Yellow papaya, which makes up for 35% of the fresh produce.

Fresh Papaya International Trade

Australia is predominantly a net importer of fresh red and yellow papaya. This country typically imports around 20-300 tonnes of this fruit per year. As of June 2019, Australia has managed to import 40 tonnes.