Pumpkins, squash and gourds market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the production of pumpkins, squash and gourds in Southern Asia rose from 7.2 million tonnes to 8.8 million tonnes. This growth was supported by the widespread adoption of March as the optimal sowing month, which improved yields, along with better soil management through organic manure and more effective pest control techniques. Agricultural departments actively promoted scientific farming methods, enhancing overall output.

Production continued to climb, reaching 9.6 million tonnes by 2023. The introduction of new, high-yielding and disease-resistant seed varieties allowed farmers to achieve greater harvests per hectare. Improved irrigation and nutrient management, coupled with a growing trend towards organic and integrated crop protection, further increased efficiency. Simultaneously, expanding exports to destinations like the UK and Canada provided a strong incentive to scale up cultivation.

In 2024, the sector saw the launch of YieldPro 169, a high-productivity hybrid pumpkin seed developed by East-West Seed India and designed for smallholder farmers. Government policies continued to back food exports, which had grown sharply for fresh vegetables. Rising health awareness among consumers also bolstered demand for these nutritious vegetables, encouraging a shift towards more sustainable and organic farming practices.

Production pumpkins, squash and gourds in Southern Asia

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

Southern Asia's production of pumpkins, squash, and gourds has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 8 833 thousand tonnes, marking a 5.9% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 30.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 9.3%.

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

Exports pumpkins, squash and gourds from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Southern Asia's exports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds saw a decline. In 2020, exports totaled 62 459 tonnes, down 8.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 83.3%, averaging an annual growth rate of 22.4%. The peak was in 2019 at 68 366 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase occurring in 2018 at 68.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Southern Asia's exports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds were the United Arab Emirates (38.3% of exports), Iraq (29.5%), and Qatar (12.7%). Together, these three markets accounted for 80.4% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend over this period. Exports in value terms fluctuated significantly, with a 2.3-fold difference between the peak in 2019 and the low in 2017. In 2020, the value of pumpkins, squash, and gourds exported from Southern Asia was 18 543 thousand US dollars, a sharp drop of 37.5% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 29 663 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 74.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Arab Emirates (35.6% of export value), Iraq (26.2%), and Qatar (16.6%) were the top markets for Southern Asia's exports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds in value terms. Combined, they made up 78.3% of total export earnings.

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

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

Imports pumpkins, squash and gourds to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes were volatile during these years. From a low of 282 tonnes in 2017 to a high of 1 081 tonnes in 2018, imports varied by a factor of 17. In 2020, Southern Asia imported 282 tonnes of pumpkins, squash, and gourds, which was 31.8% lower than the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019 at 61.7%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 at 1 610.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates was the primary source for pumpkins, squash, and gourds imported into Southern Asia, accounting for 0.6% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Southern Asia's imports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds in value terms have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 2 078 thousand US dollars, up 19.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 110.7%, averaging an annual increase of 28.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the key partners for Southern Asia's imports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds in value terms were the United Arab Emirates (10.4% of import value), Australia (1.7%), and Turkey (0.6%). Together, these countries represented 12.7% of total import spending.

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

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