Pumpkin Market Overview in Pakistan

The Pakistani pumpkin market expanded rapidly to $ in 2019, picking up by % against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +% over the period from 2012 to 2019; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the market value increased by % y-o-y. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $. From 2018 to 2019, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, pumpkin production surged to $ in 2019 estimated in export prices. In general, the total production indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2019: its value increased at an average annual rate of +% over the last seven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, production decreased by -% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by % against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $. From 2018 to 2019, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The average yield of pumpkin (squash and gourds) in Pakistan reached tonnes per ha in 2019, remaining stable against the previous year's figure. Overall, the yield recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the yield increased by % year-to-year. The pumpkin yield peaked at tonnes per ha in 2017; afterwards, it flattened through to 2019. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2019, the total area harvested in terms of pumpkin (squash and gourds) production in Pakistan totaled ha, remaining stable against 2018. Overall, the harvested area recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of % y-o-y. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to pumpkin production reached the maximum at ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2019, the harvested area failed to regain the momentum.

Pumpkin consumption in Pakistan was estimated at tonnes in 2019, approximately mirroring the year before. In general, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of % year-to-year. Pumpkin consumption peaked at tonnes in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2019, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The value of the pumpkin market in Pakistan stood at $ in 2019, rising by % against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +% over the period from 2012 to 2019; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of % y-o-y. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $. From 2018 to 2019, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Driven by increasing demand for pumpkin in Pakistan, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +% for the period from 2019 to , which is projected to bring the market volume to tonnes by the end of .

Over the period under review, imports of pumpkin in Pakistan were negligibly small compared to the production volumes. Therefore, the share of imports in the total market was practically nonexistent, both in volume and in value terms. This situation has remained constant over the period under review, which means that domestic producers entirely meet the domestic demand for pumpkin.

Pakistan remains a net exporter of pumpkin; in physical and value terms, exports consistently exceeded imports from 2012 to 2019. In 2019, there was a significant trade surplus of - kg, which was equal to $-. This tangible trade deficit reflects the fact that the market remains dependent on imports, which is likely to continue in the medium term.