Pumpkin demand set to rise by 15% as Halloween was cancelled last year due to lockdown

Now that Covid restrictions have eased a major supermarket has said they expect the demand for pumpkins to rise by 15% this year.

Last October England was under restrictions as the tier system was in place which prevent people from being allowed to mix with other households indoors or outdoors.

Tesco pumpkin buyer Emily Hampson said, “We are anticipating demand to be very strong following the disappointment of Halloween parties being cancelled last year due to lockdown.”

She added, “The Sweet Culinary variety is already proving popular, especially with vegans who not only make traditional pies and soup out of them but also use them as centrepiece dishes.”

Oakley Farms, based near Wisbech in Cambridgeshire produces around five million pumpkins a year, which is one of Europe’s biggest suppliers of pumpkins.

Steve Whitworth, manager at the farm, who supply Tesco, said, “The quality this year is fantastic and over the last few months we have had just the right amount of sunshine and rain.”

Tesco said demand for the novelty Red Devil and White Ghost varieties have increased more than 60% than 2020, but the classic carving pumpkin for Halloween is still the most popular.