Pumpkins, squash and gourds market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh pumpkins, squash and gourds in Western Europe expanded significantly from 2018 to 2020, with volume growing from 732 thousand tons to over 993 thousand tons. This growth was underpinned by a decade-long expansion of cultivated area in France, where planting increased by 39% by 2018, accompanied by a shift toward smaller varieties like Potimarron and Butternut that aligned with evolving consumer preferences.

After a correction in 2021, when market volume dipped to 887 thousand tons largely due to a sharp contraction in imports, domestic production remained robust. Germany reported a record harvest of 99.1 thousand tons that year, a 14% increase from 2020, reflecting doubled cultivation area over ten years and strong retail popularity, especially among families. Production levels stayed high through 2023, supported by sustained consumer interest in regional and sustainable produce.

By 2023, the market stabilized around 951 thousand tons. Consumer trends favoring local, fresh pumpkins and the promotion of diverse varieties through major pumpkin exhibitions in Germany helped maintain demand. Despite inflationary pressures noted in 2024, seasonal and regional preferences kept pumpkin consumption stable, with supermarkets responding to demand for convenient, pre-packaged options.

Production pumpkins, squash and gourds in Western Europe

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

Pumpkins, squash, and gourds production in Western Europe has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 667.5 K t, marking a significant 29.9% rise from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 114.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 29.0%.

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

Exports pumpkins, squash and gourds from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, Western Europe's export volume of pumpkins, squash, and gourds increased in 2020. Exports reached 99.7 K t, up 29.0% from the previous year. However, between 2017 and 2020, exports overall decreased by 20.6%, averaging an annual decline of 7.4%. The lowest point was in 2019 at 77.3 K t, with the largest drop of 22.5% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Western Europe's exports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds were distributed across a diverse range of partner countries. Switzerland accounted for 8.8% of exports, Italy for 8.4%, and the United Kingdom for 6.4%, together making up just 23.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Foreign supplies of pumpkins, squash, and gourds from Western Europe increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 128.0 M $ US, showing a modest 7.6% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 9.2%, with a compound annual decline of 3.2%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 109.4 M $ US, where the largest decline of 22.3% was recorded. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 8.7%.

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

The partner structure for exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 remained fragmented. Switzerland contributed 8.7% of export value, Italy 7.6%, and the United Kingdom 7.2%, together accounting for only 23.5% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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

Imports pumpkins, squash and gourds to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Cross-border shipments of pumpkins, squash, and gourds into Western Europe increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled approximately 425.5 K t, up 9.7% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 13.3%, averaging an annual increase of 4.3%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 375.4 K t, with the largest decline of 0.0% also recorded that year.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Spain dominated imports in kind, accounting for 64.4% of the total, followed by Morocco at 7.7% and Italy at 4.9%. Together, these three countries represented 77.0% of import flows into Western Europe.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year fall, Western Europe's imports of pumpkins, squash, and gourds increased in 2020. Imports reached 566.9 M $ US, a substantial 31.7% rise from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 18.8%, with an annualized rate of 5.9%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 430.4 M $ US, while the largest decline of 7.2% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain was the main market for imports in value terms, representing 66.2% of the total, followed by Morocco at 7.4% and Italy at 6.4%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 79.9% of import flows.

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

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