Pumpkin Production

From USDA:

Pumpkin production is widely dispersed, with crop conditions varying greatly by region. In 2013, U.S. farmers produced 1.13 billion pounds of pumpkins. Illinois remains the leading producer of pumpkins, with a majority of supplies processed into pie filling and other uses. Supplies from the remaining top five States are targeted toward the seasonal fresh market for ornamental uses and for home processing.

Demand for specialty pumpkins continues to expand as consumers look for new and interesting variations. Retail prices in 2014, on average, were down compared with last year’s average (September-November). Specialty varieties with wholesale prices reported in 2014 include Big Mack pumpkins (a giant variety), Fairytale (deep ribs, mahogany color), Knucklehead (medium size, upright, with lumps of various size and color on the skin), and heirloom varieties.

Production

U.S. pumpkin planted area, total in top six States: 1/
2011: 50,900 acres (17,400 in Illinois, 7,200 in Michigan)
2012: 53,800 acres (20,400 in Illinois, 6,800 in Michigan)
2013: 53,200 acres (20,400 in Illinois, 6,600 in Michigan)

U.S. farm value of pumpkin production, total in top six States: 1/
2011: $113 million ($24 mil. in New York, $22 mil. in Illinois)
2012: $149 million ($33 mil. in New York, $33 mil. in Illinois)
2013: $150 million ($47 mil. in Illinois, $30 mil. in California)

U.S. pumpkin production, total in top six States: 1/
2011: 1.07 billion pounds (0.52 bil. in Illinois, 0.17 bil. in California)
2012: 1.24 billion pounds (0.56 bil. in Illinois, 0.19 bil. in California)
2013: 1.13 billion pounds (0.55 bil. in Illinois, 0.19 bil. in California)

U.S. pumpkin production, top six States, 2013: 1/
Illinois: 547.6 million pounds
California: 194.7 million pounds
Ohio: 100.4 million pounds
Michigan: 97.8 million pounds
New York: 96.0 million pounds
Pennsylvania: 94.2 million pounds

U.S. pumpkin yield per acre, top six States, 2013: 1/
Illinois: 27,000 pounds
California: 33,000 pounds
Ohio: 16,500 pounds
New York: 16,000 pounds
Michigan: 15,500 pounds
Pennsylvania: 14,500 pounds

Share of U.S. pumpkin area harvested for the fresh market, in top six States, 2012: 2/
Illinois: 23 percent
California: 99 percent
Ohio: 97 percent
Michigan: 88 percent
New York: 96 percent
Pennsylvania: 97 percent

Prices
U.S. farm price for pumpkins: 1/
2011 average: 10.60 cents per pound
2012 average: 12.00 cents per pound
2013 average: 13.30 cents per pound

U.S. wholesale price for pumpkins, week ending October 11, 2014 average: 3/ 4/
Howden-type (Jack-O-Lantern pumpkins): $136.14/36” bin
Pie-type: $244.50/ 36” bin
Miniature, orange: $16.22/1/2 bushel carton
Miniature, white: $16.08/1/2 bushel carton
Heirloom varieties: $193.50/24” bin

U.S. advertised retail price for pumpkins: 4/
2013 average: $5.07 each
Sept. 5, 2014: $3.76 each
Sept. 12, 2014: $5.30 each
Sept. 19, 2014: $4.07 each
Sept. 26, 2014: $3.94 each
Oct. 3, 2014: $3.94 each (22 percent below 2013 average)
Oct. 10, 2014: $3.62 each (29 percent below 2013 average)

Sources: 1/ USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Vegetables. Data provided only for top six States. According to the 2012 U.S. Census of Agriculture, these States accounted for approximately 50 percent of U.S. total pumpkin area. 2/ USDA, NASS, 2012 U.S. Census of Agriculture. 3/ Simple average of all quoted markets (excluding organic) for the listed type and container. 4/ USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service, Fruit and Vegetable Market News.

I knew none of that. 16,000 pounds per acre at 13 cents a pound sounds pretty good.