Pumpkin seeds: uncertainty dominates the market

March 12, 2025 at 4:50 PM , Der AUDITOR
Play report as audio

DALIAN. The prospect of many farmers wanting to switch from pumpkin seeds to sunflower seeds for the 2025/26 season is causing great uncertainty among Chinese market players. Prices are receiving support from various directions.

Volatile market dynamics

After the USA doubled its tariffs on imports from China from 10% to 20%, the Chinese pumpkin seed market has stabilised somewhat. The experts at Chelmer Foods believe that the downward spiral has stopped for the time being and that the period of extremely low prices has probably come to an end. Traders' already scarce stocks are shrinking noticeably and the focus is increasingly on farmers, some of whom are holding back their remaining stocks. They are hoping that prices will rise soon and that they will then be able to sell their goods at better conditions.

Chelmer Foods also reports that the 2025/26 season could look different from the previous year. Many farmers are expected to turn away from pumpkin seeds and focus more on growing sunflower seeds in order to become more resilient to price pressure and increase their income. However, these prospects are causing great uncertainty in the market. As long as growers are still weighing up their options and making important decisions, supply dynamics will remain extremely volatile in the coming weeks.

Shifts influence price development

In addition to the US tariffs, traders‘ low stocks and growers’ restraint, as well as the prospect of lower sowings this year, are creating price stability in which suppliers have high hopes. These shifts at the various levels of the supply chain could have a noticeable impact on the competitive landscape and overall price trends in the Chinese oilseed sector in the longer term. Prices for pumpkin kernels, GWS, grade A recently stood at USD 3,180/mt CFR Hamburg, while shine skins, grade A traded at USD 1,720/mt CFR.

Pumpkin kernels, China

Type

USD/mt

GWS, Grade A

3,180

GWS, Grade AA

3,450

Shine Skin, Grade A

1,720

Shine Skin, Grade AA

2,520

CFR EMP

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
Oilseeds
Mar 20, 2025
NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD. Sowing is progessing well for sesame seeds in India. The area sown is similar in size to last year. Pakistan ranks amongst the top three suppliyng countries in China. India has gained market shares in the EU as recent import statistics show.
Oilseeds
Mar 19, 2025
OTTAWA/ASTANA. Golden flaxseed supplies are very much limited at present. Offers, if issued at all, are only valid for a few hours. Kazakhstan has nearly doubled shipments to the EU.
Oilseeds
Mar 19, 2025
SOFIA/BUCHAREST. Despite the considerable shortfall in production, Romania's exports are up and running for sunflower seeds. Carry-over supplies may indeed be very limited.
Oilseeds
Mar 18, 2025
OLOMOUC. Sowing has not started yet for poppy seeds, but the area may be smaller than anticipated. Farmers are concerned with prevailing dry conditions.