Pumpkins, squash and gourds market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled pumpkins, squash and gourds in Western Asia experienced a notable expansion in volume from 2018 to 2021, with production rising from 1 026 thousand tonnes to 1 305 thousand tonnes and total market volume growing from 1 024 thousand tonnes to 1 270 thousand tonnes. This upward trend was supported by the entry of pumpkin as a new commercial crop in Egypt, where cultivation began for the first time in three provinces, creating an additional supply source and meeting growing demand from traders and pharmaceutical companies.

After peaking in 2021, both production and market volume contracted, falling to 1 125 thousand tonnes and 1 110 thousand tonnes respectively by 2023. In the following period, emerging regional challenges included geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which increased production and distribution costs, and a significant decline in Egyptian agricultural exports to East Asian countries in 2024, affecting overall trade flows for the region's produce.

Production pumpkins, squash and gourds in Western 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

In Western Asia, pumpkin, squash, and gourd production reached 1 192 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a 16.8% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 16.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 020 thousand tonnes, which saw a slight decline of 0.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Pumpkin, squash, and gourd production in Western Asia continued to grow for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 927.3 million US dollars, up 24.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 31.1%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 9.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 651.7 million US dollars, which experienced a decline of 7.9%.

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

Exports pumpkins, squash and gourds from Western Asia

Exports in kind, t

Western Asia's pumpkin, squash, and gourd export volume grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 75 874 tonnes, showing a modest increase of 3.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 44.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Romania, and Belarus were the main markets for Western Asia's pumpkin, squash, and gourd exports in volume terms. Russia accounted for 36.7% of exports, Romania for 8.4%, and Belarus for 6.8%, together representing 51.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Foreign pumpkin, squash, and gourd supplies from Western Asia increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 59 044 thousand US dollars, up 9.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 63.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 17.8%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, Russia, Romania, and Germany led the structure of pumpkin, squash, and gourd exports from Western Asia in value terms. Russia contributed 32.8% of exports, Romania 10.4%, and Germany 6.8%, together accounting for 50.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports pumpkins, squash and gourds to Western Asia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, pumpkin, squash, and gourd imports into Western Asia declined. In 2020, import volume was 73 366 tonnes, down 1.5% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 53.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.4%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 74 502 tonnes, following a significant increase of 43.2% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran, India, and Bangladesh were the principal sources for pumpkin, squash, and gourd imports into Western Asia in volume terms. Iran accounted for 51.3% of imports, India for 19.0%, and Bangladesh for 2.9%, together making up 73.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year rise, pumpkin, squash, and gourd import volumes into Western Asia decreased. In 2020, imports were valued at 46 507 thousand US dollars, down 5.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 16.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 49 424 thousand US dollars, which saw an increase of 21.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, India, Iran, and Bangladesh formed the core of pumpkin, squash, and gourd imports into Western Asia in value terms. India accounted for 34.3% of imports, Iran for 21.0%, and Bangladesh for 7.2%, together representing 62.6% of total import flows.

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

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