Pumpkins, squash and gourds market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

Spain consolidated its position as the EU's leading pumpkin producer, with cultivated area expanding by 156% over the decade up to 2018, supporting production volume within a market where 60‑80% of farmers worked with large companies. The 2021 launch of a higher‑yielding seed variety by Enza Zaden aimed at improving returns for growers, reflecting ongoing genetic innovation to boost productivity.

Domestic demand shifted notably, driven by growing consumer interest in ready‑to‑eat products like salads and gazpacho, as well as specific varieties such as cacahuete pumpkin, whose consumption rose by 75% over five years by 2022. This trend, supported by supermarket investment in fourth and fifth‑range products, pushed market volume up to 384 thousand tons in 2022. However, volume fell to 337 thousand tons in 2023 as lower production and higher exports coincided with increased import competition from Portugal, which strengthened its role as a key supplier within the EU.

As of 2024, pumpkin exports remained a key element for Spain, with a focus on long‑shelf‑life varieties to compete with imports from South Africa, while domestic demand continued to grow in processed product segments, underpinning market resilience.

Production pumpkins, squash and gourds in Spain

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain ranked as the world's seventh-largest producer 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

Spain's production of pumpkins, squash, and gourds grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 775.1 thousand tonnes, marking a steady increase of 5.5% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, overall production rose by 10.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of decline, Spain's production of pumpkins, squash, and gourds rebounded. In 2020, the output was valued at 833.7 million US dollars, a significant jump of 25.6% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 8.6%, translating to an annualized rate of 2.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 663.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 8.7%.

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

Exports pumpkins, squash and gourds from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

Spain's exports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds expanded for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 467.1 thousand tonnes, up 3.7% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 32%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top destinations for Spain's exports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds in volume were France, accounting for 30.9% of exports, Germany at 22.1%, and the United Kingdom with 11.8%. Together, these three countries made up 64.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Spain's exports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds reached 502.4 million US dollars, showing a robust increase of 23.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 30%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 2.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom were the primary markets for Spain's exports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds in value terms. France held 32.5% of exports, Germany 23.0%, and the United Kingdom 11.4%, collectively representing 66.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports pumpkins, squash and gourds to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

Spain's imports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country imported about 38.2 thousand tonnes, a 9.4% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports climbed by 68.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 19.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest sources for Spain's imports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds in volume were Morocco, Portugal, and Panama, which together accounted for 76.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Spain's imports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 30.0 million US dollars, up 25.1% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 37.5%, with an average annual rate of 11.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 20.9 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 4.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the three main markets for Spain's imports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds in value terms were Morocco, Portugal, and Panama, together absorbing 75.3% of total import flows.

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

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