Illinois Remains Nation’s Leading Pumpkin Producer Despite Value Decline

By Andi Anderson

Illinois continues to hold the top position in U.S. pumpkin production, supplying the majority of pumpkins enjoyed nationwide during the Thanksgiving season.

According to experts, at least 80% of the pumpkin found in stores comes from Illinois, especially canned pumpkin used in pies and other holiday dishes. Nathan Johanning, Commercial Agriculture Educator for the University of Illinois Extension, said, “Pumpkins are a major player, given the share that we take in the marketplace, especially the canned pumpkin.”

In 2024, Illinois produced about 485 million pounds of pumpkins—an amount equal to the combined production of the next four leading states. Johanning noted, “It’s a very significant portion that is grown and processed here in Illinois and goes out to all over the country and, in some cases, even the world.”

Nationally, pumpkin production reached 1.44 billion pounds in 2024, slightly below the average of 1.58 billion pounds from 2020 to 2023. While total U.S. pumpkin production value increased from $234 million in 2021 to $274 million in 2024, Illinois experienced a 10% decline during the same period.

Despite this decline, Illinois farmers produced a strong crop in 2024 after overcoming a year of challenging, shifting weather conditions. Johanning explained that early conditions were cold and wet before turning dry and hot in the summer.

“By the time pumpkin planting season came, the weather had moderated a little bit from some of the wet spell in May, so planting actually went through pretty well,” he said. He added that some regions, especially the southern part of the state, faced drought later in the season.

Pumpkins benefit from a later planting window compared to corn and soybeans, which helped farmers navigate early-season challenges. The 2022 Census of Agriculture recorded 524 fresh market pumpkin farms in Illinois.

Johanning said the number continues to rise, supported by strong agritourism interest and local economic benefits. “The agritourism aspect and the support to the local community and economy that these farms is really significant,” he said, noting that many new pumpkin operations emerge as small spinoffs from existing farms.

Consumers are also feeling slight price changes. The American Farm Bureau Federation reported the national average price for a 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix at $4.16, while the Illinois Farm Bureau recorded a slightly higher state price of $4.24. The overall cost of a classic Thanksgiving meal for ten people dropped to $55.18, with Illinois’ average lower at $49.20.

Photo Credit: pexels-matreding