Pumpkins, squash and gourds market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled pumpkins, squash and gourds in Italy expanded from 554.8 thousand tons in 2018 to 603.0 thousand tons in 2020. This growth occurred alongside regulatory harmonization introduced in 2018, which unified quality standards for fruits and vegetables and mandated country-of-origin labeling, fostering market transparency. Production increased steadily, peaking at 600.4 thousand tons in 2020.

After stabilizing at 605.4 thousand tons in 2021, the market volume contracted to 560.3 thousand tons in 2022 before recovering to 575.4 thousand tons in 2023. The recovery was supported by a 28% rise in imports to 44.9 thousand tons, as anomalous weather conditions reduced the Italian pumpkin harvest by 20%. Concurrently, the market saw the emergence of ornamental pumpkin varieties for Halloween and an extended sales season from October-November to the entire winter period, diversifying consumption patterns.

Production pumpkins, squash and gourds in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy ranked 10th globally in the production of pumpkins, squash, and gourds.

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

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

Italy's production volume of pumpkins, squash, and gourds rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 600.4 K t, marking a 5.5% increase compared to the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 560.2 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 4.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, the value of pumpkins, squash, and gourds production in Italy rebounded. In 2020, output was valued at 913.1 M $ US, up 13.3% from the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 9.6%, averaging an annualized rate of 3.1%. The lowest value occurred in 2019 at 806.1 M $ US, while the largest drop was in 2018 at 1.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports pumpkins, squash and gourds from Italy

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Italy's exports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds increased. In 2020, the country exported 29 983 t, a 12.2% rise from the previous year. However, from 2017 to 2020, exports overall decreased by 10.8%, with an annualized rate of decline of 3.7%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 26 721 t, which also experienced the largest decline of 12.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany (24.6% of exports in kind), Austria (22.8%), and France (15.4%) were the top buyers of pumpkins, squash, and gourds from Italy, together accounting for 62.8% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year contraction, Italy's foreign supplies of pumpkins, squash, and gourds in value terms increased. In 2020, exports reached 45 595 K $ US, a solid 20.5% jump from 2019. Despite this, from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 4%, averaging an annualized decline of 1.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 37 846 K $ US, which also saw the largest drop of 15.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (25.6% of exports in value terms), Austria (24.9%), and France (15.8%) were the largest buyers of pumpkins, squash, and gourds from Italy, collectively making up 66.3% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports pumpkins, squash and gourds to Italy

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Italy's imports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds declined. In 2020, imports totaled 32 527 t, showing a modest 3.4% year-over-year decrease. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports increased by 36.5%, with an annualized growth rate of 10.9%. The peak import volume was in 2019 at 33 684 t, which also recorded the largest increase of 33.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain (41.6% of imports in kind), France (22.7%), and Germany (6.5%) were the main suppliers of pumpkins, squash, and gourds to Italy, jointly representing 70.7% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Italy's import value of pumpkins, squash, and gourds rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 31 666 K $ US, a limited 4.0% advance compared to the prior year. The lowest value was in 2018 at 24 248 K $ US, which saw the largest decline of 22.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 25.6%.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, Spain (45.9% of imports in value terms), France (24.5%), and Germany (8.0%) consistently led the country structure of imports in value terms, together accounting for 78.4% of total flows.

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

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