Ukrainian farmers expand commercial pumpkin production

Large-scale commercial pumpkin production is gradually developing in Ukraine, where the crop has traditionally been grown mainly by household farms. The total area planted with pumpkins in 2026 is estimated at approximately 30 thsd ha, although precise statistics are unavailable due to separate reporting categories for table pumpkins, feed pumpkins, and pumpkins grown for seed. This was reported by AgroPortal.ua, citing the Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine (NAAS). According to researchers, the main change in recent years has been in the structure of production, with a segment of large commercial growers emerging alongside traditional producers.

The development of commercial production is most evident in pumpkins grown for seed, although interest in table varieties for the fresh market and processing is also increasing. According to vegetable storage consultant Pavlo Bulhakov, demand for fresh pumpkins in Ukraine is growing, while domestic production remains insufficient. Average yields of certain table varieties are around 40 t/ha, while large-fruited varieties, including Muscat de Provence, can reach 80–100 t/ha.

The economic attractiveness of pumpkin cultivation largely depends on storage capacity and the timing of sales. According to Bulhakov, the average production cost of cylindrical pumpkin varieties is UAH 3–4/kg, while farmgate prices immediately after harvest reach UAH 7–8/kg. Prices typically begin to rise in late October and increase more significantly in late February and early March. Last season, prices reached UAH 17–20/kg during this period. Meanwhile, building a storage facility with a capacity of 1,000 tons requires an investment of more than UAH 12 mln.

The geography of commercial pumpkin production is also changing due to the war. According to Volodymyr Knysh, Head of the Vegetable and Melon Growing Department at the Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture of NAAS, part of production is gradually shifting from traditional southern and eastern regions to Cherkasy, Poltava, Kyiv, Vinnytsia, Sumy, and other regions. In particular, large farms in Cherkasy region are already cultivating pumpkins on hundreds of hectares. At the same time, the Steppe and Forest-Steppe remain the most favorable natural zones for this crop.

Despite growing commercial interest, the sector’s development is constrained by weather risks and insufficient storage, logistics, and processing infrastructure. Due to drought conditions in 2026, pumpkin seed yields at some farms are expected to reach only 0.6–0.8 t/ha, although under favorable conditions they can exceed 1 t/ha. According to NAAS experts, further expansion of commercial production will depend not only on yields but also on farmers’ ability to organize storage, processing, and reliable marketing channels.

Tags: Ukraine, pumpkin