by InTrieste
Italian pumpkin farmers are reporting a surge in sales as Halloween, still largely considered a foreign holiday in Italy, steadily gains traction across the country, according to the agricultural association Coldiretti.
The so-called “pumpkin economy” in Italy has surpassed €30 million, with this year’s harvest expected to reach around 40,000 tonnes despite the pressures of climate change, Coldiretti reported.
Italy cultivates pumpkins across roughly 2,000 hectares, with the northern region of Lombardia accounting for about a quarter of production. Other key regions include Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Campania, Lazio, Liguria, Sicily, and Tuscany.
Most of the crop is intended for consumption, with an average retail price of about €2 per kilogram, though peeled and cut varieties can sell for two to three times that amount. There is also a growing market for ornamental and competition pumpkins, with some specimens cultivated specifically for Halloween carving exceeding a thousand kilograms.
In addition to popular foreign varieties, farmers are making efforts to preserve traditional Italian pumpkins, including Cappello del prete, Mini Moscata, Violina, and Trombetta. According to Coldiretti, every part of the plant—from leaves and flowers to pulp and seeds—is utilized.
While the trend reflects a broader cultural embrace of Halloween in Italy, local sellers in Trieste say the picture is more mixed. Many report that pumpkin purchases have not risen significantly, even as more residents—especially families and businesses—participate in Halloween events and decorations each year.
Across the country, though, pumpkins continue to appear in markets, homes, and seasonal displays, suggesting Halloween’s growing place in Italy’s autumn calendar.
