Pumpkins, squash and gourds market in Senegal

Earlier Report Observations

The Senegalese market for pumpkins, squash, and gourds was initially shaped by the government's 2018 horticulture development policy, which established a dedicated Horticulture Directorate. This institutional support helped sustain domestic production, although market volume dipped in 2019 as exports increased.

Global supply chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to a contraction in production and market size. The subsequent introduction of digital tools for input distribution and market monitoring, alongside strengthened agricultural cooperatives in 2021, supported a recovery in production and a rebound in market volume as exports fell sharply.

Continued state efforts towards food sovereignty and horticulture sector support maintained production in the following years. By 2023, despite a record overall vegetable harvest that included pumpkins, the market volume for these specific crops saw a slight decrease, partially linked to storage challenges amid high output, while local market supply improved.

Production pumpkins, squash and gourds in Senegal

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

Senegal's production of pumpkins, squash, and gourds declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 17 281 tonnes, but by 2020 it had fallen to 16 507 tonnes, representing a moderate 4.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production decreased by 4.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 0.2%.

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

Exports pumpkins, squash and gourds from Senegal

Exports in kind, t

Senegal's exports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds totaled 849.1 tonnes in 2020, marking a 3.4% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 28.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 8.8%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 588.0 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 879.2 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 10.9% drop, whereas the most significant increase was in 2019 with a 49.5% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom were the primary destinations for Senegal's pumpkin, squash, and gourd exports. Italy accounted for 56.8% of exports in volume, France for 20.0%, and the United Kingdom for 17.0%. Together, these three countries represented 93.8% of Senegal's total exports in this category.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Senegal's pumpkin, squash, and gourd exports increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 613.2 thousand US dollars—a sharp 38.6% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 28.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 320.9 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 32.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom were the largest buyers of Senegal's pumpkins, squash, and gourds in value terms. Italy accounted for 54.2% of export value, France for 20.2%, and the United Kingdom for 19.8%. Collectively, these three markets made up 94.2% of Senegal's total export value in this category.

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

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

Imports pumpkins, squash and gourds to Senegal

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Senegal's imports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds fell to zero tonnes, representing an abrupt 99.9% decrease from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Senegal's imports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds were heavily concentrated on Cameroon, which accounted for 99.9% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Senegal's imports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds amounted to 0.1 thousand US dollars in 2020, indicating a sharp 99.7% decrease compared to 2019.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Senegal's imports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds in value terms were primarily directed toward Italy and Cameroon, which together accounted for 99.7% of total import flows.

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

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