Pumpkins, squash and gourds market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh pumpkins, squash and gourds in Russia reached 1.25 million metric tons in 2019, supported by expanded vegetable planting areas in commercial and family farms alongside a consumer trend towards fresh produce. Adverse weather conditions in 2020 reduced harvests, cutting supply and lowering market volume to 1.19 million metric tons. Production challenges persisted through 2021 and 2022, where trade sanctions and a reduction in household garden plots contributed to a market low of 1.10 million metric tons in 2022.

Government agricultural support programs and the federal project to stimulate the sector provided a foundation for recovery. The mandatory introduction of electronic document flow for product shipments from January 2022 improved supply chain efficiency. Market volume rebounded to 1.15 million metric tons in 2023, driven by an 8% increase in Russia's total vegetable harvest and the growth of greenhouse vegetable production, which enhanced year-round availability.

The period saw the emergence of new product segments like baby pumpkins and organic varieties, responding to a significant rise in health-conscious consumers. Regulatory changes, including the expansion of mandatory DataMatrix labeling for food products, increased market transparency. The preparation for the Federal Law on Organic Products effective September 2025 further signaled market evolution towards differentiated offerings.

Production pumpkins, squash and gourds in Russia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Russia ranked fourth 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

After two consecutive years of growth, Russia's production of pumpkins, squash, and gourds declined. In 2020, output reached 1 143 thousand tonnes, marking a 4.3% decrease from the previous year. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 1 195 thousand tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018, at 2.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, the value of Russia's pumpkin, squash, and gourd production increased. In 2020, it was valued at 303.1 million US dollars, representing a significant 16.3% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 2.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 260.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 11.7%.

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

Exports pumpkins, squash and gourds from Russia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Russia exported 1 712 tonnes of pumpkins, squash, and gourds, showing a solid 17.5% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 15.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.9%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 1 457 tonnes, which also experienced the largest annual decline of 4.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine was the primary and nearly exclusive market for Russia's exports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds in volume terms, accounting for 93.3% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of decrease, Russia's exports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds in value terms rose. In 2020, exports amounted to 454 thousand US dollars, a 42.9% gain compared to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 14.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.6%. The minimum was recorded in 2019 at 318 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 16.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, Ukraine effectively dominated Russia's exports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds in value terms, holding a 92.1% share of total flows.

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

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

Imports pumpkins, squash and gourds to Russia

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Russia's import volume of pumpkins, squash, and gourds was 44 020 tonnes, down 19.8% from the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 54 872 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 137.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey and China were the dominant suppliers of pumpkins, squash, and gourds to Russia in volume terms, together accounting for 84.2% of total imports, with other partners playing a less significant role.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports hit their lowest point in 2017 and reached their maximum in 2019, with a 2.8-fold gap. In 2020, Russia's imports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds were valued at 33 270 thousand US dollars, down 13.4% year-over-year. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 38 415 thousand US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 130.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey and China together accounted for 88.2% of Russia's total imports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds in value terms, with other countries forming a diversified but less significant portion.

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

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