Free of charge

Pumpkin seeds: Chinese New Year supports prices

January 28, 2026 at 4:55 PM , Der AUDITOR
Play report as audio

DALIAN. Prices on the Chinese pumpkin seed market are fluctuating within a narrow range shortly before the upcoming New Year celebrations. After the festivities, the focus will shift to sowing for the 2026 crop.

New Year celebrations keep prices steady

Prices for shine skins have fallen slightly recently, but market experts predict them to remain stable or rise slightly in the near future. The main driver is seasonal demand in the run-up to the Chinese New Year celebrations. Chinese producers are showing little willingness to negotiate and are not prepared to conclude deals below the current offer levels. This stance is ensuring a stable market situation and providing additional support for prices, as reported by Chelmer Foods.

Limited supply supports prices

Prices for GWS kernels have also weakened slightly, which can be attributed to lower overall demand. However, a more significant decline in prices is not expected. The reason for this is that the stocks held back by growers have now been largely depleted. The limited available supply is supporting prices. The existing price difference between shine skins and GWS kernels is mainly due to demand.

Pumpkin kernels, China

Type

USD/mt

GWS, Grade A

3,200

GWS, Grade AA

3,550

Shine Skin, Grade A

2,440

Shine Skin, Grade AA

3,650

CFR EMP

Sowing will be decisive

Prices are expected to strengthen in the coming weeks, even beyond the holiday period. Once holiday-related purchases have been completed, the market focus is likely to shift. According to the experts at Chelmer Foods, the decisive factor for further developments will then be sowing for the 2026 crop, which market players will be watching closely and which is likely to have a significant impact on sentiment.

View more
- price chart pumpkin kernels, GWS, grade AA, China
- price chart, pumpkin kernels, Shine Skin, grade AA, China
- more price charts

Attached Files

File icon
Price chart pumpkin seeds, GWS, grade A
File icon
Price chart pumpkin seeds, hulled, Shine Skin, grade A

View related articles

Go to the News Overview
Grains
Oct 23, 2026
BRUSSELS. Trump’s push for a deal between Ukraine and Russia has driven down wheat. EU corn production will fall to its lowest in 36 years. China is carrying the strong export performance for US soybeans. The EU will need to bridge a supply gap for rapeseed.
Oilseeds
Oct 22, 2026
ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI. In Pakistan, the 2026/2027 sesame seed crop is expected to be smaller than previously predicted. In India, strong domestic demand is keeping sesame seed prices firm.
Oilseeds
Oct 22, 2026
SOFIA/BRUSSELS. Logistical challenges are driving up prices. Turkey is increasing imports from the EU. Kazakh sunflower seeds are under pressure from a record crop in Russia.
Oilseeds
Oct 21, 2026
DALIAN/KYIV. The smaller Chinese shine skin crop is driving up the pumpkin seed market; EU-compliant produce in particular is in short supply. Rising production and logistics costs are adding to the pressure on prices. In Ukraine, commercial pumpkin cultivation is gaining in importance, but drought and a lack of storage capacity are holding back development.