Pumpkins, squash and gourds market in Israel

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh pumpkins, squash and gourds in Israel showed notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After a modest increase to 11 110 t in 2019, consumption jumped by 12% to 12 478 t in 2020. However, it contracted by 13% to 10 807 t in 2021 before recovering to 12 025 t in 2022. The market then eased to 11 411 t in 2023.

These movements were driven primarily by changes in domestic production and import flows. Local output fell sharply from 8 873 t in 2018 to 6 575 t in 2019, then partially recovered in 2020, but trended downward again to 5 371 t by 2022. Imports surged from 2 986 t in 2018 to 5 233 t in 2019, remained elevated through 2021, and peaked at 6 732 t in 2022, offsetting the drop in home-grown supply. Exports dwindled from 864 t in 2018 to just 78 t in 2022, amplifying the net available volume.

In 2024, regulatory changes began to shape the market environment. The import reform 'What is good for Europe is good for Israel' was approved, shifting rules for fresh agricultural imports toward local food legislation. Mandatory country-of-origin labeling for unpackaged produce at retail and a new packaging law requiring producer responsibility for recycling costs also took effect. These measures, alongside reported challenges for local vegetable growers from tariff removal and rising costs, may influence future market structure.

Production pumpkins, squash and gourds in Israel

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

After a two-year decline, pumpkin, squash, and gourd production in Israel rebounded. In 2020, Israel produced 8 110 tonnes of these crops, marking a significant 23.3% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 18.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.7%. The lowest production level was in 2019 at 6 575 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 25.9%.

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

Exports pumpkins, squash and gourds from Israel

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports peaked in 2018 and dropped to their lowest point in 2020, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Israel's foreign supplies of pumpkins, squash, and gourds totaled 460 tonnes, a 34.1% decrease from 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 864 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 88.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands and Belgium were the primary destinations for Israel's pumpkin, squash, and gourd exports in kind, jointly representing 89.9% of total flows. The remaining volume was distributed among smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Israel's pumpkin, squash, and gourd export value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 492 thousand US dollars, reflecting a substantial 22.9% year-over-year decrease. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 25.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of -9.2%. The peak value was in 2018 at 749 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 13.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, the country structure of exports in value terms was highly concentrated, with Belgium and the Netherlands together accounting for 89.7% of total flows. Other partners made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports pumpkins, squash and gourds to Israel

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their highest point in 2019 and their lowest in 2017, with a 3.3-fold variation. In 2020, Israel imported 4 828 tonnes of pumpkins, squash, and gourds, a modest 7.7% decline from 2019. The maximum import volume was in 2019 at 5 233 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 90.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey consistently dominated Israel's pumpkin, squash, and gourd imports in kind, holding 77.1% of the total. The rest was shared among other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market during these years. Imports peaked in 2019 and hit a low in 2017, with a 4.4-fold fluctuation. In 2020, Israel's imports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds totaled 5 262 thousand US dollars, showing a slight 1.8% decrease from 2019. The highest value was in 2019 at 5 361 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 164.0%.

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

In 2017-2020, the geographical pattern of imports in value terms was marked by Turkey's strong dominance, with its share reaching 79.5% of total flows. Other partners held relatively minor shares.

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

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