Pumpkin Market Overview in South Africa

In 2019, the South African pumpkin market decreased by -% to $ for the first time since 2016, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, consumption showed a noticeable expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of % year-to-year. Pumpkin consumption peaked at $ in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2019, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, pumpkin production contracted significantly to $ in 2019 estimated in export prices. Overall, production saw a temperate expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by % year-to-year. Pumpkin production peaked at $ in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2019, production remained at a lower figure.

The average yield of pumpkin (squash and gourds) in South Africa reached tonnes per ha in 2019, picking up by % against the previous year. Overall, the yield, however, showed a slight downturn. The pumpkin yield peaked at tonnes per ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2019, 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 2019, the total area harvested in terms of pumpkin (squash and gourds) production in South Africa reached ha, picking up by % against 2018 figures. Overall, the total harvested area indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2019: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +% over the last seven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, pumpkin harvested area increased by +% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of % against the previous year. The pumpkin harvested area peaked at ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2019, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2019, consumption of pumpkin (squash and gourds) increased by % to tonnes, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption showed a noticeable increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of % against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption reached the maximum volume at tonnes in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2019, consumption failed to regain the momentum.

The size of the pumpkin market in South Africa dropped to $ in 2019, declining 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). In general, consumption saw a moderate expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of % against the previous year. Pumpkin consumption peaked at $ in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2019, consumption failed to regain the momentum.

Driven by increasing demand for pumpkin in South Africa, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, 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 South Africa 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.

This tangible trade surplus reflects the fact that the market remains buoyed by domestic production, and the industry is highly incorporated into the global market, which is likely to continue in the medium term.