Pumpkins, squash and gourds market in El Salvador

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled pumpkins, squash and gourds in El Salvador saw gradual expansion from 9 143 tons in 2018 to 9 660 tons in 2023. Growth was steady, with a notable increase of 214 tons in 2021, a slight dip of 45 tons in 2022, and a rebound of 300 tons in 2023.

The market's rise in 2023 was driven by a broader increase in fruit imports, which grew 2.7% in value to $112.5 million, making imported produce more available. Simultaneously, social protests in Guatemala during October 2023 disrupted the supply of Guatemalan fruits and vegetables in Salvadoran markets, contributing to higher prices.

In 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) operated AgroMercados with fair price policies for fruits and vegetables, aiming to support family economies and improve access to fresh produce. While full market size data for 2024 is not available, import volumes continued to climb, reflecting ongoing shifts in supply dynamics.

Production pumpkins, squash and gourds in El Salvador

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of pumpkins, squash and gourds, 2018-2021

World map of production of pumpkins, squash and gourds, 2018-2021

El Salvador's production of pumpkins, squash, and gourds has grown for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 8 537 tons, marking a slight increase of 1.8% from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 3.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in El Salvador in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports pumpkins, squash and gourds from El Salvador

Exports in kind, t

The market for these exports showed significant volatility during this period. Export volumes hit their lowest point in 2018, then peaked in 2019, with the peak being 5.2 times higher than the low. In 2021, El Salvador exported 11.1 tons of pumpkins, squash, and gourds, a substantial increase of 62.6% compared to 2020. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 11.3 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2020, dropping by 39.8%, while the biggest surge was in 2019, with a jump of 421.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from El Salvador in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the United States dominated the export partner structure, consistently making up 99.9% of total export flows in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from El Salvador in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values followed an unstable pattern over these years. They reached their lowest point in 2018, then peaked in 2019, with the peak value being 8.2 times higher than the low. In 2021, El Salvador's exports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds were valued at 42.5 thousand US dollars, showing a notable uptick of 87.5% from 2020. The maximum value was in 2019 at 53.0 thousand US dollars. The largest decline happened in 2020, falling by 57.2%, while the largest increase was in 2019, soaring by 722.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from El Salvador in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018 to 2021, the United States remained the primary and nearly exclusive destination for exports in value terms, accounting for 100.0% of the total.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from El Salvador in value, 2018-2021

Imports pumpkins, squash and gourds to El Salvador

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, El Salvador's imports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds increased in 2021. Imports reached 878.7 tons, reflecting a gradual rise of 7.9% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 2.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.0%. The lowest volume was in 2020 at 814.2 tons, and the largest drop occurred in 2019, declining by 6.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to El Salvador in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, almost all imports in kind came from Guatemala, which accounted for 99.5% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to El Salvador in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, El Salvador imported pumpkins, squash, and gourds worth approximately 187.7 thousand US dollars, representing a strong increase of 12.0% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 20.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.4%. The largest decline was in 2020, down by 1.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to El Salvador in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Guatemala was the dominant source for imports in value terms, making up 94.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to El Salvador in value, 2018-2021