Pumpkins, squash and gourds market in Niger

Earlier Report Observations

The production of pumpkins, squash and gourds in Niger expanded from 139 thousand tons in 2018 to 524 thousand tons in 2023, driven largely by increasing interest in local varieties adapted to the country's climate, which stimulated both cultivation and consumption. This interest strengthened within distribution channels, supporting sustained market expansion.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted agricultural input supply chains and fresh produce distribution, but local demand ensured continued production growth. A subsequent recovery of intra-African trade in pumpkins and squash in 2021 contributed to market stabilization, after which growth accelerated significantly, fueled by rising local and regional demand.

Throughout the period, broader factors such as growing demand across Africa and active intra-continental trade created favorable conditions for Niger's market, contributing to a notable long-term compound annual growth rate in production.

Production pumpkins, squash and gourds in Niger

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Niger ranked 27th 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

Pumpkins, squash, and gourds production in Niger increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Niger produced 257.3 thousand tonnes, marking a sharp rise of 33.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 81.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 138.9 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 2.2%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 38.7%.

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

Exports pumpkins, squash and gourds from Niger

Exports in kind, kg

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Niger in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of exports in kind was dominated by a single market: Nigeria, which accounted for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

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

Over 2017-2020, Nigeria served as the primary destination for pumpkins, squash, and gourds from Niger, consistently absorbing 100.0% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports pumpkins, squash and gourds to Niger

Imports in kind, kg

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. The lowest volume was observed in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 64 times. In 2020, cross-border shipments of pumpkins, squash, and gourds to Niger totaled 18 782 kg, representing a sudden decline of 41.7% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 32 238 kg. The largest increase was in 2018, at 1 364.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Niger in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in kind was highly concentrated, with Nigeria alone accounting for 99.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. The lowest volume was registered in 2017, while the highest was in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 56 times. In 2020, deliveries of pumpkins, squash, and gourds to Niger amounted to 1 096 US dollars, which is 54.8% less compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 424 US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018, at 2 076.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, pumpkins, squash, and gourds were supplied to Niger almost exclusively from Nigeria, which absorbed 91.5% of total imports in value terms.

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

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