Pumpkins, squash and gourds market in Albania

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, Albania's production of fresh or chilled pumpkins, squash and gourds rose from 18 483 t to 30 912 t, while the market volume expanded from 17 123 t to 27 957 t. This growth was supported by a broader surge in fresh fruit output, which improved the competitiveness of fresh vegetables on the domestic market, and by the 2020 law that finalized transitional property processes, facilitating farmers' access to agricultural land.

After peaking in 2021, production eased to 30 002 t in 2022, partly due to growing informal labor and emigration-induced workforce shortages in the agricultural sector. A further decline followed in 2023, with output falling to 27 493 t and market volume dropping to 24 830 t, coinciding with 4.7% food-price inflation that dampened consumer demand, alongside the impact of global energy cost increases on production expenses.

Production pumpkins, squash and gourds in Albania

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pumpkins, squash and gourds, 2017-2020

World map of production of pumpkins, squash and gourds, 2017-2020

Albania's production of pumpkins, squash, and gourds has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 22 315 tonnes, marking a significant 17.9% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 60.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 17.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Albania in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Albania's pumpkin, squash, and gourd production has increased in value for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 15 267 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp 27.8% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 107.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 27.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Albania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports pumpkins, squash and gourds from Albania

Exports in kind, t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1 401 tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 2 867 tonnes, representing a two-fold difference. In 2020, exports increased by 104.7% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 23.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Albania in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia, Romania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina were the top destinations for Albania's pumpkin, squash, and gourd exports in volume terms. Serbia accounted for 33.4% of exports, Romania for 19.6%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for 14.4%, together making up 67.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Albania in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market was characterized by volatility during these years. Export value hit a low in 2018 at 881 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2020 at 1 962 thousand US dollars, showing a 2.2-fold variation. In 2020, exports surged by 121.8% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 9.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Albania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia, Romania, and Montenegro were the main buyers of Albania's pumpkins, squash, and gourds in value terms. Serbia contributed 37.2% of export value, Romania 20.4%, and Montenegro 13.6%, collectively accounting for 71.1% of total exports.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Albania in value, 2017-2020

Imports pumpkins, squash and gourds to Albania

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend over this timeframe. Import volumes were at their lowest in 2018 with 48 tonnes and peaked in 2019 with 165 tonnes, a 3.5-fold difference. In 2020, imports fell to 114 tonnes, down 31.2% from 2019. The largest decline was in 2018 at 62.3%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 247.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Albania in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey remained the leading supplier of pumpkins, squash, and gourds to Albania, accounting for 79.4% of total imports in volume. The remaining imports were distributed among various other countries.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Albania in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Import value was at its minimum in 2018 at 32 thousand US dollars and reached a maximum in 2019 at 111 thousand US dollars, a 3.5-fold variation. In 2020, imports decreased to 82 thousand US dollars, a 25.7% drop from 2019. The largest decline was in 2018 at 62.2%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 247.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Albania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey consistently dominated Albania's pumpkin, squash, and gourd imports in value terms, holding 78.0% of the total. This indicates a high concentration on the Turkish market, with the remainder shared among other countries.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Albania in value, 2017-2020