Pumpkin Production and Trade in the United States
Little over 25 million tons of pumpkins were produced worldwide during 2015, with Asian producers, namely India and China, accounting for approximately two-thirds of the total output. China and India are the largest pumpkin producers in the world, with the United States and Russia closely behind. In spite of its high productions levels, the US is the world’s leading pumpkin importer. Interestingly, however, most pumpkins imported into the US originate from Mexico. As it is Halloween, this article explores pumpkin markets and agriculture in the US, which takes place during the summer and fall seasons.
Pumpkin Production and Trade in the United States
Pumpkins are highly nutritious because they contain fiber, potassium, and anti-oxidants as well as vitamin C and E. Additionally, pumpkins are used in a variety of homemade dishes, which range from soups to desserts to salads. On a yearly basis, the US produces more than 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins throughout the country. Fifty percent of this production is concentrated in six states: Illinois, California, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. Pumpkin crops in Illinois, the nation’s largest producer during 2015 with 317.9 million pounds, are mainly destined for processing into consumer goods such as pumpkin pie filling and pumpkin seeds. In fact, approximately 75% of pumpkins produced in Illinois are processed before being sold commercially. Meanwhile, the other five states sell more than 74% of their pumpkin output whole at seasonal markets, many of which end up being carved during the month of October.
Several types of pumpkins are harvested throughout the US including Big Mack, Blue, Cinderella, Fairytale, White Howden, and Knuckle Head, amongst others. Likewise, the average price of pumpkins has increased slightly on a yearly basis since 2005. For 2015, the price per pumpkin during the months of September and October ranged between US$3.90 and US$5.91. In regards to pumpkin output during 2015, the top producing states break down as follows: Illinois, 317.9 million pounds as mentioned above; California with 146.4 million pounds; Ohio accounting for 84.2 million pounds; Pennsylvania yielding 79.4 million pounds; Michigan totaling 77.0 million pounds; and New York with 48.9 million pounds. However, it is important to mention that, due to unfavorable weather variations, pumpkin output during 2015 was lower than expected.
In terms of acreage, the amount of land devoted to pumpkin cultivation has decreased over the last several years. During 2013, the US cultivated 52,600 acres of pumpkin, mainly in Illinois where 20,400 acres were devoted to this crop and Michigan where the acreage amounted to 6,600. In 2014, pumpkin cultivation in the US accounted for 50,900 acres, particularly in Illinois with 20,100 acres and Ohio with 6,700 acres. Finally, in 2015, 43,200 acres of pumpkin were planted throughout the US, 15,000 in Illinois and 6,400 in Ohio. During 2015, the most productive states per acre were California, which yielded 24,000 pounds of pumpkin per acre, and Illinois, which yielded 21,500 pounds. They were followed by Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, all of which yielded some 15,500 pounds per acre.
(Read more about how the United Nations Day Highlights Opportunities for Agriculture)