Costa Rica: Pumpkin Market 2025

Pumpkin Market Size in Costa Rica

The Costa Rican pumpkin market soared to $X in 2022, jumping by 120% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, faced a abrupt downturn. Pumpkin consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Pumpkin Production in Costa Rica

In value terms, pumpkin production dropped modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 15%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

The average yield of pumpkin (squash and gourds) in Costa Rica stood at less than X kg per ha in 2022, standing approx. at the year before. In general, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, approx. less than X ha of pumpkin (squash and gourds) were harvested in Costa Rica; approximately mirroring 2021 figures. Overall, the harvested area recorded a relatively flat trend pattern.

Pumpkin Exports

Exports from Costa Rica

Pumpkin exports from Costa Rica dropped modestly to X tons in 2022, reducing by -3.9% against the previous year. In general, total exports indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +3.6% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, pumpkin exports declined slightly to $X in 2022. Overall, total exports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports decreased by -5.1% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 21%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United States (X tons) was the main destination for pumpkin exports from Costa Rica, accounting for a 85% share of total exports. Moreover, pumpkin exports to the United States exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the UK (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the United States amounted to +5.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the UK (+25.2% per year) and Spain (+29.6% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($X) remains the key foreign market for pumpkin (squash and gourds) exports from Costa Rica, comprising 82% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the UK ($X), with a 7.6% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to the United States amounted to +6.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the UK (+27.7% per year) and Spain (+31.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average pumpkin export price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 1.6% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the United States ($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 the UK (+2.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Pumpkin Imports

Imports into Costa Rica

In 2022, supplies from abroad of pumpkin (squash and gourds) increased by 10% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. In general, imports, however, faced a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 27%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, pumpkin imports rose significantly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, recorded a deep slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 45% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

The United States (X tons), Honduras (X tons) and Panama (X tons) were the main suppliers of pumpkin imports to Costa Rica, with a combined 100% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Panama (with a CAGR of 0.0%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, the United States ($X) constituted the largest supplier of pumpkin (squash and gourds) to Costa Rica, comprising 80% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Honduras ($X), with a 13% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from the United States totaled -11.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Honduras (-8.4% per year) and Panama (0.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average pumpkin import price amounted to $X per ton, waning by -4.3% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, posted prominent growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the average import price increased by 51% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

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 the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Panama ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+13.8%).

Source: IndexBox Platform