Guayaquil fruit season fuels low‑price promotions for watermelon, papaya and mandarin

Vendors in the south of Guayaquil report that the current harvest favors watermelon, mandarin and papaya, allowing them to keep prices low. A longtime seller, Santiago Álava, sells watermelons for about $2 each, while papayas and pineapples are $1 apiece. Nearby, Antony Meza offers packs of 30 mandarins for $1 and 20 oranges for the same price.

Supermarket chains such as Megamaxi, Akí, TÍA and Mi Comisariato have also created sections with fruits priced from $1, featuring a wide seasonal list that includes sandía, guanábana, guabas, zapote, aguacate, tomate de árbol, pitahaya amarilla, maracuyá, granadilla, uvilla and mortiño. The promotions aim to help families cope with the high cost of the basic food basket, which in June 2026 reached over $800 in Ecuador.

The combined effort of street vendors and large retailers provides Guayaquil residents with affordable fresh produce during the peak season, supporting both household budgets and local commerce.