Pumpkins, squash and gourds market in MERCOSUR

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh or chilled pumpkins, squash and gourds in MERCOSUR began the period at around 289 thousand tons in 2018, but contracted to 277 thousand tons by 2020. This decline aligned with the disruptive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and a subsequent wave of global inflation, which together introduced volatility into worldwide vegetable trade, affecting demand patterns and pricing for produce such as pumpkins.

A recovery followed, with the market volume expanding to 296 thousand tons in 2022. This rebound in consumption unfolded in a broader environment marked by continued global supply chain pressures and inflationary trends affecting the fresh vegetable sector across the region.

Market volume then stabilized at approximately 293 thousand tons in 2023. That year, agricultural input costs were pressured by historically high fertilizer prices, a consequence of the war between Russia and Ukraine, which raised production expenses for key crops including pumpkins within the bloc.

Production pumpkins, squash and gourds in MERCOSUR

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

Pumpkins, squash and gourds production in MERCOSUR declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 292.4 K t, remaining relatively stable compared to the previous year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

MERCOSUR's pumpkins, squash and gourds production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 124.8 M $ US, marking a measured fall of 9.7% from 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, production decreased by 18.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 167.8 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 17.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 9.0%.

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

Exports pumpkins, squash and gourds from MERCOSUR

Exports in kind, t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 7 752 t, with the largest decline that year at 27.8%. In 2020, pumpkins, squash and gourds deliveries from MERCOSUR stood at 17 971 t, showing an abrupt advance of 121.7% compared to 2019. The span from 2018 to 2020 exhibited a peak-to-trough amplitude of 2.3 times.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the Netherlands (25.4% of exports in kind), the United Kingdom (19.7% of exports in kind), and Spain (11.3% of exports in kind) were the main markets for pumpkins, squash and gourds exports from MERCOSUR, jointly accounting for 56.5% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 3 817 K $ US, with the largest decline in 2018 at 20.7%. In 2020, pumpkins, squash and gourds exports from MERCOSUR amounted to 7 671 K $ US, constituting a sharp gain of 101.0% compared to 2019. The highest value stood at in 2020, while the lowest occurred in 2019, resulting in a peak-to-trough ratio of 2 times.

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

Over 2017–2020, the Netherlands (31.5% of exports in value terms), the United Kingdom (21.5% of exports in value terms), and Italy (12.4% of exports in value terms) were the leading destinations in the country structure of exports in value terms, with a combined share of 65.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports pumpkins, squash and gourds to MERCOSUR

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 10.7%. In 2020, a total of value_last_year t of pumpkins, squash and gourds was imported by MERCOSUR, corresponding to an increase of 94.9% from a year earlier. Import volumes bottomed out in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 2.2 times.

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

Over 2017–2020, Spain clearly led the country structure of imports in kind, with its share reaching 0.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 7.7%. In 2020, foreign pumpkins, squash and gourds supplies to MERCOSUR stood at 2 795 K $ US, which is 114.6% stronger versus the previous year. The span from 2017 to 2020 saw a peak-to-trough amplitude of 2.3 times.

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

Over 2017–2020, Spain was the main destination for imports in value terms of pumpkins, squash and gourds to MERCOSUR, accounting for 1.8% of total flows.

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

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