MERCOSUR: Pumpkin Market 2025

Pumpkin Market Size in MERCOSUR

After two years of growth, the MERCOSUR pumpkin market decreased by -0.9% to $X in 2022. Overall, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2021, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

Pumpkin Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, pumpkin production amounted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 326% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Argentina (X tons), Peru (X tons) and Colombia (X tons), together accounting for 66% of total production. Venezuela, Chile, Guyana and Uruguay lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 32%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by Guyana (with a CAGR of +14.7%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the average yield of pumpkin (squash and gourds) in MERCOSUR contracted slightly to X tons per ha, with a decrease of -1.8% compared with the previous year. Overall, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 3.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the pumpkin yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of pumpkin (squash and gourds) production in MERCOSUR rose to X ha, growing by 1.9% on the previous year. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 7.4%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to pumpkin production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Pumpkin Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, shipments abroad of pumpkin (squash and gourds) decreased by -22.3% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. In general, exports, however, posted a perceptible expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 56%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2021, and then reduced markedly in the following year.

In value terms, pumpkin exports declined notably to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, showed a pronounced increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 45% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2021, and then fell rapidly in the following year.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Peru (X tons) represented the key exporter of pumpkin (squash and gourds), creating 59% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Brazil (X tons) and Argentina (X tons), together comprising a 38% share of total exports. Colombia (X tons) held a little share of total exports.

Exports from Peru increased at an average annual rate of +15.8% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Colombia (+29.4%) and Brazil (+23.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Colombia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +29.4% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Argentina (-9.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Peru and Brazil increased by +37 and +18 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Peru ($X) remains the largest pumpkin supplier in MERCOSUR, comprising 58% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Brazil ($X), with a 26% share of total exports. It was followed by Argentina, with a 9.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Peru amounted to +19.5%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Brazil (+31.9% per year) and Argentina (-16.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 1.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a pronounced decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the export price increased by 70% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Colombia ($X per ton), while Argentina ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+6.7%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Pumpkin Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, overseas purchases of pumpkin (squash and gourds) increased by 5.4% to X tons, rising for the fourth consecutive year after two years of decline. Overall, imports showed strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 203% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, pumpkin imports amounted to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports posted strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by 342% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Chile (X tons) was the main importer of pumpkin (squash and gourds), constituting 53% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Paraguay (X tons), Brazil (X tons), Argentina (X tons) and Uruguay (X tons), together committing a 47% share of total imports.

Imports into Chile increased at an average annual rate of +13.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Brazil (+41.0%), Uruguay (+34.4%), Argentina (+21.5%) and Paraguay (+13.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Brazil emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +41.0% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina increased by +9.7, +3.6 and +3.4 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Argentina ($X), Chile ($X) and Brazil ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 77% of total imports.

Brazil, with a CAGR of +52.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by -2.6% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.4%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the import price increased by 46%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (+13.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform