Pumpkins, squash and gourds market in Tunisia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh pumpkins, squash and gourds in Tunisia remained stable between 2018 and 2020, fluctuating between 81 500 and 81 700 tons annually. A key regulatory development in 2018 was the ban on commercializing local seeds, which promoted the use of registered hybrid seeds and affected the diversity of available planting material for cucurbit crops.

Market growth began in 2021, reaching 83 456 tons, supported by a broader dynamic in Tunisian agriculture that saw the emergence of new specialty segments like cactus fruit products and export promotion initiatives such as the PAMPAT 2 project. This expansion accelerated sharply to 87 370 tons in 2022, a year marked by significant summer price volatility for fruits and vegetables, which encouraged a substantial rise in import volumes to meet domestic demand. The upward trend continued in 2023, with the market volume climbing to 89 685 tons.

Production pumpkins, squash and gourds in Tunisia

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

Tunisia's production of pumpkins, squash, and gourds rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2019, output hit its lowest point at 83 883 tonnes, but then saw only a marginal fluctuation in 2020, with production reaching 84 276 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, when production fell by 0.9%.

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

Exports pumpkins, squash and gourds from Tunisia

Exports in kind, t

Tunisia's exports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds have grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 2 772 tonnes, marking a strong year-over-year increase of 17.1%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports surged by 91.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 24.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Libya and Italy were the dominant destinations for Tunisia's exports in kind, together accounting for 89.3% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Tunisia's export value of pumpkins, squash, and gourds declined. In 2020, exports totaled 1 117 thousand US dollars, a significant drop of 14.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports still increased by 14.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.6%. The peak was in 2019 at 1 306 thousand US dollars, when exports saw their largest increase of 30.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Libya, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates emerged as the key markets for Tunisia's exports in value terms. Libya accounted for 42.5% of exports, Italy for 28.0%, and the UAE for 20.4%, together making up 90.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports pumpkins, squash and gourds to Tunisia

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed irregular changes, indicating a volatile market. In 2019, imports hit their lowest point at 0.4 tonnes, but then surged to 16 tonnes in 2020, a dramatic increase of 3 739.3% year-over-year. The peak was in 2017, creating a 429-fold gap with the 2019 trough. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when imports fell by 96.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Libya was the clear leader in Tunisia's imports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds in kind, capturing 84.6% of total flows. Other countries each held much smaller shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market displayed volatility during the observed period. In 2019, the value dropped to its minimum of 1 thousand US dollars, but then jumped to 4 thousand US dollars in 2020, a sharp increase of 345.5% compared to the previous year. The peak was in 2017, resulting in a 33-fold shift from the 2019 low. The largest decline happened in 2018, with a drop of 86.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Libya dominated Tunisia's imports in value terms, accounting for 71.0% of the total. The remainder was spread across many other countries, each with smaller individual shares.

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

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