Pumpkin Facts

Pumpkins are 92% Water and Rich in Vitamins and Minerals 

Autumn is the season of harvest and gratitude, whether it be through Thanksgiving in the US, Chuseok in South Korea, or Erntedankfest in Germany. Accompanying such celebrations are tasty seasonal dishes, including the pumpkin variety. Below are some facts on these large fruits. 

1. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, global production in the “pumpkins, squash and gourds” category was 22.8 million tons in 2022. Highest production was in Asia (50.5%), followed by Europe (21.2%), the Americas (15.4%), Africa (11.9%), and Oceania (1%). 

2. In the US, over 1 billion pounds of pumpkins were harvested by the top six producing states. 

3. Morton, Illinois, is called the “pumpkin capital of the world” because 85% of the world’s canned pumpkin is packed in the Nestle/Libby’s plant there. 

4. Pumpkin is nutritious given its vitamin and mineral content, including vitamin A, vitamin K, iron, and magnesium. Pumpkin seeds contain copper, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc but are high in fat. 

5. Pumpkins are about 92% water and are winter squashes. 

6. When composting pumpkins (especially jack-o-lanterns), paint, candles, and wax should be removed beforehand. 

Sources: 

• https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL/visualize [search “pumpkins, squash and gourds”]  

• https://www.morton-il.gov/citizen-support-center/tourism/ 

• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/pumpkin-nutrition-review#nutrition 

• https://www.ers.usda.gov/newsroom/trending-topics/pumpkins-background-statistics/ 

• https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/10-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-pumpkins 

• https://www.treehugger.com/how-host-pumpkin-smash-and-compost-jack-o-lanterns-4854373