Top Pumpkin and Squash and Gourd Producing Countries

The top countries farming pumpkin, squash, and gourd are China, India, Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, with China leading global production by a significant margin. These crops, all members of the Cucurbitaceae family, have a rich history dating back thousands of years. Pumpkins and squashes were first domesticated in the Americas, particularly in present-day Mexico and Central America, as early as 7000–5500 BCE, making them among the oldest cultivated crops in the Western Hemisphere. Gourds, meanwhile, were independently domesticated in Africa and Asia, and archaeological evidence suggests they were among the first plants cultivated by humans, used initially as containers and utensils before their edible varieties were developed. After the Columbian Exchange, pumpkins and squashes spread to Europe, Asia, and Africa, where they were quickly integrated into local cuisines and farming systems. Today, their adaptability to various climates and soils has made them staple crops in both temperate and tropical regions worldwide.

Data from United Nations FAO Stat