From 2014 to 2022, Poland witnessed a significant expansion in pumpkin cultivation area, growing from 1,100 hectares to 8,900 hectares, according to Eurostat data. This increase in sowing area led to a dramatic rise in domestic pumpkin harvests, escalating from 48,000 tonnes in 2014 to approximately 400,000 tonnes in 2022. The EU has seen a consistent upward trend in pumpkin production since 2029, with the 2022 harvest exceeding 1 million tonnes, marking a 3% increase from the previous year. Poland contributed nearly 40% to the EU's total pumpkin harvest in 2022.
Other notable EU pumpkin producers include France, with 207,000 tonnes (20% of EU production), Spain with 128,000 tonnes (9%), and Portugal with 81,000 tonnes (8%). Together, the top five producers accounted for almost 90% of the EU's total production in 2022. The surge in Poland's pumpkin production is attributed to rising consumer demand and the crop's relatively low cultivation requirements. Pumpkins in Poland, which are used both for consumption and decorative purposes, do not demand fertile soils or significant investments in chemical protection. The 2023 National Register of Varieties listed about 30 pumpkin varieties cultivated in Poland.
Source: agroberichtenbuitenland.nl
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