Pumpkins and squash production in South Africa
In 2024 South Africa produced 295,149 t of pumpkins and squash, the 21st largest in the world (0.85% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 30%. The record was 446,900 t in 2015. Area harvested: 40,599 ha, yield 7.3 t/ha.
- Production, 2024
- 295,149 t
- World rank
- 21 of 124
- 10-year change
- −30%
- Record
- 446,900 t
- 2015
Pumpkins and squash in South Africa, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
South Africa compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.85%
- 1.8% in 2014
- Yield, t/ha
- 7.3
- world 15.4 (−53%)
- kg per person
- 4.61
- world 4.24
- 10-year change
- −30%
- world +46%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | Cuba | 321,401 | 0.93% |
| 20 | South Korea | 306,851 | 0.89% |
| 21 | South Africa | 295,149 | 0.85% |
| 22 | Morocco | 282,472 | 0.82% |
| 23 | Zimbabwe | 269,968 | 0.78% |
Map of world production of pumpkins and squash
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change | Area harvested, ha | Yield, t/ha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 295,149 | +6.5% | 40,599 | 7.27 |
| 2023 | 277,027 | −0.3% | 37,046 | 7.48 |
| 2022 | 277,852 | +0.5% | 36,079 | 7.70 |
| 2021 | 276,449 | +2.6% | 34,793 | 7.95 |
| 2020 | 269,477 | −0.4% | 33,408 | 8.07 |
| 2019 | 270,600 | +1.4% | 32,504 | 8.33 |
| 2018 | 266,746 | +2.6% | 31,187 | 8.55 |
| 2017 | 259,965 | +1.9% | 29,413 | 8.84 |
| 2016 | 255,032 | −43% | 28,005 | 9.11 |
| 2015 | 446,900 | +5.6% | 47,524 | 9.40 |
| 2014 | 423,074 | +71% | 44,484 | 9.51 |
| 2013 | 247,000 | +1.2% | 24,810 | 9.96 |
| 2012 | 244,000 | +3.0% | 24,038 | 10.15 |
| 2011 | 237,000 | +1.3% | 22,908 | 10.35 |
| 2010 | 234,000 | +48% | 22,938 | 10.20 |
| 2009 | 158,335 | −4.7% | 15,341 | 10.32 |
| 2008 | 166,110 | +105% | 11,000 | 15.10 |
| 2007 | 81,200 | +3.7% | 12,000 | 6.77 |
| 2006 | 78,293 | −69% | 10,000 | 7.83 |
| 2005 | 253,907 | −0.8% | 18,940 | 13.41 |
| 2004 | 256,014 | −28% | 19,662 | 13.02 |
| 2003 | 357,055 | +21% | 26,646 | 13.40 |
| 2002 | 294,000 | +0.5% | 21,364 | 13.76 |
| 2001 | 292,600 | +3.8% | 20,722 | 14.12 |
| 2000 | 282,000 | −16% | 19,478 | 14.48 |
| 1999 | 336,552 | +2.8% | 22,687 | 14.83 |
| 1998 | 327,247 | −1.2% | 21,540 | 15.19 |
| 1997 | 331,372 | +5.8% | 18,000 | 18.41 |
| 1996 | 313,193 | +7.3% | 21,364 | 14.66 |
| 1995 | 291,824 | −2.0% | 19,773 | 14.76 |
| 1994 | 297,927 | −0.7% | 21,360 | 13.95 |
| 1993 | 300,171 | +5.1% | 21,296 | 14.10 |
| 1992 | 285,621 | +2.3% | 20,055 | 14.24 |
| 1991 | 279,137 | +7.0% | 19,400 | 14.39 |
| 1990 | 260,941 | −1.6% | 17,042 | 15.31 |
| 1989 | 265,162 | +5.7% | 17,000 | 15.60 |
| 1988 | 250,777 | −4.4% | 17,000 | 14.75 |
| 1987 | 262,428 | +2.9% | 18,000 | 14.58 |
| 1986 | 255,000 | +2.0% | 17,000 | 15.00 |
| 1985 | 250,000 | +4.2% | 16,500 | 15.15 |
| 1984 | 240,000 | +3.0% | 16,000 | 15.00 |
| 1983 | 233,000 | −0.9% | 15,000 | 15.53 |
| 1982 | 235,000 | +2.2% | 15,000 | 15.67 |
| 1981 | 230,000 | +4.5% | 13,000 | 17.69 |
| 1980 | 220,000 | −0.7% | 12,000 | 18.33 |
| 1979 | 221,638 | +2.9% | 12,000 | 18.47 |
| 1978 | 215,352 | −4.1% | 12,000 | 17.95 |
| 1977 | 224,485 | +10% | 12,000 | 18.71 |
| 1976 | 204,000 | +8.5% | 12,000 | 17.00 |
| 1975 | 188,000 | +1.1% | 12,000 | 15.67 |
| 1974 | 186,000 | −2.1% | 12,000 | 15.50 |
| 1973 | 190,000 | +8.6% | 12,000 | 15.83 |
| 1972 | 175,000 | +2.9% | 10,000 | 17.50 |
| 1971 | 170,000 | 0.0% | 10,000 | 17.00 |
| 1970 | 170,000 | +6.3% | 10,000 | 17.00 |
| 1969 | 160,000 | +6.7% | 9,500 | 16.84 |
| 1968 | 150,000 | +7.1% | 9,000 | 16.67 |
| 1967 | 140,000 | −3.4% | 8,500 | 16.47 |
| 1966 | 145,000 | +3.6% | 9,000 | 16.11 |
| 1965 | 140,000 | +7.7% | 8,500 | 16.47 |
| 1964 | 130,000 | +8.3% | 8,000 | 16.25 |
| 1963 | 120,000 | +9.1% | 7,500 | 16.00 |
| 1962 | 110,000 | +10% | 7,000 | 15.71 |
| 1961 | 100,000 | — | 6,500 | 15.38 |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 23,478 t USD 17.8 m
- Exporter rank
- 13 of 122
- Imports
- 2,393 t USD 1.5 m
- Importer rank
- 48 of 140
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of pumpkins and squash in South Africa?
South Africa produced 295,149 t in 2024, 0.85% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world for production of pumpkins and squash?
South Africa ranked 21st of 124 countries in 2024. The largest producer was India with 27.0% of the world total.
How has the production of pumpkins and squash in South Africa changed?
It fell by 30% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +46% for the world. The record was 446,900 t in 2015.
What is the yield of pumpkins and squash in South Africa?
7.3 tonnes per hectare in 2024 (295,149 t from 40,599 ha), against a world average of 15.4 t/ha.
Does South Africa export or import pumpkins, squash and gourds?
In 2024 South Africa reported exports of 23,478 t (USD 17.8 m) and imports of 2,393 t (USD 1.5 m), according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.