Pumpkins are becoming increasingly popular and that’s not only due to Halloween. Many people buy pumpkins around this time of year for Halloween decorations, but pumpkins are also increasingly being used in a variety of dishes. The BelOrta fruit and vegetable auction has noticed a significant increase in pumpkin sales. ‘Pumpkins are extremely versatile, which appeals to many people,’ a spokesperson said.
With Halloween just around the corner, pumpkins are back in the spotlight. But today, the vegetable is not only used to create spooky decorations. Pumpkins are also an important ingredient in many recipes: soup, stews or even a slice of cake are all on the pumpkin menu; recipes with pumpkins are vigorously shared on an array of social media outlets.
A survey conducted by VRT NEWS among a number of Limburg growers too shows that pumpkins are on the rise. Grower Leen Picard from 't Kasseitje farm in Tongeren has also noticed this. ‘We have definitely seen an increase in sales over the last two years,’ she says.
‘As far as pumpkins are concerned, we're nearly sold out, a few days before Halloween. I think we've sold at least 1,000 pumpkins this year. We still have a few left, but I guess they'll all be gone by Halloween. Most people buy pumpkins first and foremost to make decorations, and then they use them to make soup.’
96 per cent increase in sales over 10 years
Sales figures from the Association of Belgian Horticultural Cooperatives (VBT) confirm rising sales. The figures show that the popularity of pumpkins increased significantly between 2015 and 2025.
In 2015, 1,618,423 kilograms of pumpkins were sold. So far this year, 3,177,655 kilograms of pumpkins have already been sold. That is almost double the amount sold 10 years ago.
‘The pumpkin is a fun vegetable that can be used in many different dishes,’ explains Sabine Devreese, director business unit vegetables at BelOrta. ‘Plant-based dishes are particularly popular at the moment, and pumpkins are ideal for this. There are also lots of trends visible online showing recipes using pumpkins. You can make pumpkin soup, stews and even cakes.’
The pumpkin is also a vegetable with a long season. ‘The first pumpkins go on sale in August. Sales really take off in September, peaking in the first week of October. But it doesn't stop there; the consumption period extends until the beginning of February. This long consumption period also contributes to the high sales figures,’ says Devreese.