Pumpkins, squash and gourds market in ECOWAS

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled pumpkins, squash and gourds in ECOWAS experienced substantial growth from 2018 to 2023, with volume more than doubling from 244 thousand tons to 629 thousand tons. This represented a cumulative increase of 158% over the period, highlighting a significant expansion in domestic production and consumption.

Growth was not uniform across the years. After steady increases of 27% in 2019 and 25% in 2020, the market contracted by 15% in 2021. This was followed by a remarkable surge of 58% in 2022, which added nearly 192 thousand tons to the market volume. The upward trend continued in 2023 with a further 21% growth.

Throughout this period, import and export volumes remained marginal, meaning changes in the overall market size were almost entirely driven by fluctuations in local production output.

Production pumpkins, squash and gourds in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

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

ECOWAS has seen its production of pumpkins, squash, and gourds grow for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 387.7 thousand tonnes, marking a 24.8% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 56.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 16.2%. The lowest production level was in 2018, at 244.5 thousand tonnes. That year also saw the largest decline, with a drop of 1.1%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the biggest increase, with production surging by 27.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in ECOWAS in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports pumpkins, squash and gourds from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, t

ECOWAS's exports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 1,061 tonnes, showing a significant rise of 16.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 60.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.1%. The lowest export volume was in 2018, at 632 tonnes. That year also experienced the largest decline, with a decrease of 4.5%. On the other hand, 2019 saw the biggest increase, with exports jumping by 44.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy and France were the primary export partners for ECOWAS in terms of volume, together accounting for 83.2% of total exports. The remaining share went to other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market for pumpkins, squash, and gourds from ECOWAS showed notable fluctuations during this period. Exports varied significantly, with the lowest value in 2018 at 343 thousand US dollars and the highest in 2020 at 1,196 thousand US dollars, representing a 3.5-fold difference. In 2020, exports surged by 158.3% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 28.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main destinations for ECOWAS's exports in value terms were Italy, with 49.6% of the total, the United Kingdom at 28.5%, and France with 15.7%. Together, these three countries accounted for 93.9% of all export flows.

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

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

Imports pumpkins, squash and gourds to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, imports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds into ECOWAS declined. In 2020, imports totaled 120 tonnes, a sharp decrease of 57.0% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 30.5%, averaging an annual decline of 11.4%. The highest import volume was in 2019, at 279 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 60.3%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Spain led the imports in volume with 42.1%, followed by Portugal at 33.8%, and China with 4.0%. Combined, these three countries made up 79.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of pumpkins, squash, and gourds imports into ECOWAS was 127 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp drop of 45.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 span, imports decreased by 17.5%, with an average annual decline of 6.2%. The peak import value was in 2019, at 234 thousand US dollars, which also recorded the largest increase of 54.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three main markets for ECOWAS's imports in value terms were Spain, Portugal, and Lebanon, together absorbing 86.9% of total import flows.

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

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