Bulgaria: Pumpkin Market 2025

Pumpkin Market Size in Bulgaria

The Bulgarian pumpkin market rose markedly to $X in 2022, with an increase of 6.1% against the previous year. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a resilient expansion. Pumpkin consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Pumpkin Production in Bulgaria

In value terms, pumpkin production rose notably to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production enjoyed a resilient increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the production volume increased by 421%. Pumpkin production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In 2022, the average yield of pumpkin (squash and gourds) in Bulgaria rose slightly to X tons per ha, growing by 3.8% against the year before. Over the period under review, the yield, however, continues to indicate a noticeable decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the yield increased by 48% against the previous year. The pumpkin yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, approx. X ha of pumpkin (squash and gourds) were harvested in Bulgaria; therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, recorded resilient growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 99% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the pumpkin harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Pumpkin Exports

Exports from Bulgaria

In 2022, shipments abroad of pumpkin (squash and gourds) decreased by -34% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, exports, however, saw a significant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 143%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2021, and then shrank notably in the following year.

In value terms, pumpkin exports declined to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, posted significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 464% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

Exports by Country

Romania (X tons) was the main destination for pumpkin exports from Bulgaria, with a 70% share of total exports. Moreover, pumpkin exports to Romania exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Hungary (X tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was held by the Czech Republic (X tons), with a 6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Romania amounted to +42.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Hungary (+42.1% per year) and the Czech Republic (+32.1% per year).

In value terms, Romania ($X) remains the key foreign market for pumpkin (squash and gourds) exports from Bulgaria, comprising 81% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Hungary ($X), with a 7.4% share of total exports. It was followed by the Czech Republic, with a 4.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Romania amounted to +56.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Hungary (+40.6% per year) and the Czech Republic (+34.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average pumpkin export price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 33% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average export price increased by 132%. The export price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Romania ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Hungary ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Germany (+11.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Pumpkin Imports

Imports into Bulgaria

In 2022, purchases abroad of pumpkin (squash and gourds) decreased by -4% to X tons for the first time since 2013, thus ending a eight-year rising trend. Overall, imports, however, recorded a remarkable increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 27%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, pumpkin imports declined modestly to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, showed a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 33% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2021, and then shrank slightly in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Turkey (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of pumpkin to Bulgaria, accounting for a 79% share of total imports. Moreover, pumpkin imports from Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Greece (X tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Germany (X tons), with a 6.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Turkey totaled +16.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Greece (-9.6% per year) and Germany (+106.3% per year).

In value terms, Turkey ($X) constituted the largest supplier of pumpkin (squash and gourds) to Bulgaria, comprising 80% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by Albania, with a 2.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Turkey stood at +17.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+124.3% per year) and Albania (+46.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average pumpkin import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 2.4% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 an increase of 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the price for Greece ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+8.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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