With fall in full swing, pumpkins are everywhere – in stores, on doorsteps, and even in lattes! But how much money is spent on this seasonal favorite? We’ve conducted a survey and the results may surprise you.
This article will explore how much money is spent on pumpkins in October and what factors drive people to splurge on them.
Read on to discover the surprising results!
Table of Contents
How Much Money Is Spent On Pumpkins In October?
Each October, Americans spend an estimated $407 million on pumpkins according to the National Retail Federation – an impressive amount for a month that only has 31 days! This figure is a substantial increase from the $351 million spent the year before.
It is no surprise that pumpkin-related products and activities are so popular in October.
Pumpkins take center stage during this time of year, with people decorating their homes and businesses with them.
From grocery stores to farmers markets, brightly colored pumpkins of all sizes are available to purchase.
Besides being decorative, pumpkins can also be used in a variety of recipes and drinks, like pumpkin-spiced coffee and pumpkin beer.
With all these different uses, it is no wonder why people are willing to spend big bucks on pumpkins in October.
The demand for pumpkins and pumpkin-related products is only increasing each year.
As more people get into the festive spirit, they look for ways to decorate and celebrate the season.
Pumpkins are the perfect symbol of October, and they continue to be a popular choice for consumers.
So, if you are wondering how much money is spent on pumpkins in October, the answer is a lot! It is likely that this figure will continue to rise in the years to come.
How Much Pumpkin Is Wasted During Halloween?
During Halloween, a significant amount of pumpkin is wasted.
Carving jack-o-lanterns is an iconic activity during the holiday, which leads to many people purchasing pumpkins for this purpose.
Unfortunately, once these lanterns have been created, the pumpkins usually have limited other uses and are quickly discarded.
Depending on the type of pumpkin, it may even rot quickly, rendering it useless for any other purpose.
Determining the exact amount of pumpkin wasted during Halloween is challenging, as some of the pumpkins are used for other activities.
For instance, pumpkin pie is a popular Thanksgiving dessert, and many people use the same pumpkins for both activities.
Ultimately, it is likely that a large amount of pumpkins are thrown away during Halloween.
In the United States alone, it is estimated that approximately 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkins are produced each year, and 1.15 billion pounds of them are used for decorative purposes.
A lot of these pumpkins are purchased in bulk specifically for carving, and are later thrown away.
It is evident that a considerable amount of pumpkin is wasted during Halloween.
Even though the exact amount is difficult to determine, it is likely that a large portion of pumpkins purchased for the holiday are eventually discarded, resulting in unnecessary food waste.
Are Pumpkins More Expensive This Year?
The cost of pumpkins has gone up this year due to several factors, such as increased demand, transportation expenses, and labor costs.
The demand for pumpkins has risen as the holiday season approaches, with more people looking to buy them for decorations, carving, and other activities.
This has led to more competition for a limited supply of pumpkins and, consequently, higher prices.
Transportation costs have also risen as pumpkins must be transported quickly in order for them to arrive in time for the holiday season.
Finally, farmers have to hire more workers to keep up with increased demand, and this added cost is passed on to the consumer in the form of higher prices.
Ultimately, the exact price of pumpkins will depend on the region and local market.
Why Are Pumpkins So Expensive This Year?
Pumpkins have become a popular fall staple, and their prices have risen this year due to several factors.
Unpredictable weather has caused a decrease in pumpkin production and, as a result, a shortage in supply.
Furthermore, transportation costs have increased due to rising fuel prices, making it more expensive for farmers to get their pumpkins to stores.
Additionally, consumer demand has grown, with people buying more pumpkins than in previous years, which has driven up prices even more.
All of these components have contributed to the spike in prices of pumpkins this year.
Although the cost may be higher than usual, pumpkins are still worth the price for the joy they bring during the fall season!
How Much Money Is Spent On Pumpkins?
Pumpkins are a key part of the fall season and are popular for decorations, pies, and more.
However, the cost of pumpkins can add up quickly, depending on how many you need and where you purchase them from.
According to the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, the total value of pumpkins produced in the United States in 2017 was $149 million, including both fresh and processed pumpkins.
The National Retail Federation estimates that Americans spent over $2 billion on Halloween in 2019, with $4.8 million of that going to pumpkins.
This shows that Americans spend a considerable amount of money on pumpkins each year, especially around Halloween.
How Much Money Do Americans Waste On Halloween?
Americans spend an astonishing amount of money on Halloween every year.
According to the National Retail Federation, a record-high $9 billion was spent in 2018, with the average person spending $86.27 an 8.3% increase from the previous year.
Costumes account for a large portion of this spending, with adults spending an average of $28.65 and children spending $20.88.
Furthermore, people spend an average of $33.23 on decorations, $19.53 on candy, and $5.84 on greeting cards.
What’s worse, most of these costumes and decorations are only worn or used once, before being thrown away.
Additionally, many of them are made from non-biodegradable materials, meaning that most of the money spent is ultimately wasted.
It’s easy to get caught up in the fun of Halloween, but it’s important to remember the environmental cost of our actions.
If we make conscious choices to reuse costumes and decorations, we can reduce our environmental impact while still enjoying the festivities.
How Many Pumpkins Wasted?
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly how many pumpkins are wasted annually.
A 2016 Waste Management study estimates that 30% of all pumpkins bought for Halloween in the US are discarded, amounting to approximately 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkin waste.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) also reports that farmers dispose of an additional 1.2 billion pounds of pumpkins, due to pumpkins that don’t meet size or cosmetic standards.
Moreover, the USDA states that 40% of all food in the US is wasted, and pumpkins are no exception.
Many pumpkin-based dishes are cooked in homes and restaurants, but not all of them are eaten.
Altogether, it is clear that a large number of pumpkins are wasted every year.
It is therefore important to be conscious of our food choices and to think of creative ways to reduce food waste.
We can do our part by only buying what we need of pumpkins (or any other food item) and finding inventive ways to use leftovers.
What Happens To Pumpkins In Landfills?
Pumpkins that end up in landfills take between one to three years to decompose, depending on their size and density.
This decomposition process is caused by bacteria and fungi in the landfill and results in the release of methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
It can also produce carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds.
Another environmental concern associated with pumpkins in landfills is the presence of pesticides.
If pumpkins have been treated with agricultural chemicals and fertilizers, these toxins can leach into the soil and water sources near the landfill, which is particularly concerning in areas that are close to residential areas.
Additionally, pumpkins take up a lot of valuable space in landfills, as they are a seasonal item and can fill up landfills quickly.
This makes it difficult for other waste to be disposed of.
To reduce the environmental impacts of pumpkins in landfills, it is important to reduce, reuse, and recycle them or donate them to local farms or food banks.
The best way to dispose of pumpkins is to compost them, as this allows the nutrients from the pumpkin to be recycled into the soil and used to grow new plants.
If composting is not an option, pumpkins should be disposed of in the trash or donated to local farms or food banks.
Is Pumpkin Waste Bad For The Environment?
The answer to the question of whether pumpkin waste is bad for the environment is a definite yes.
Pumpkins are a type of gourd composed of 95% water, making them very heavy and difficult to dispose of in landfills.
Decomposing pumpkins produce methane, a dangerous greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.
Moreover, their nutrients leach into the groundwater, contaminating it and making it unsafe for human consumption.
The production of pumpkins is also very resource intensive, requiring ample water to grow.
This can lead to water scarcity in certain areas if not managed properly.
Furthermore, the use of pesticides and other chemicals can contaminate soil and water.
Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the environmental impact of pumpkin waste.
Composting pumpkins returns essential nutrients to the soil.
They can also be used to make decorations, food, and even fuel.
Donating pumpkins to local food banks can help feed those in need and reduce food waste.
In conclusion, pumpkin waste can be damaging to the environment, but there are measures that can be taken to reduce its environmental impact.
Composting, donating, and repurposing pumpkins are all excellent ways to reduce the amount of pumpkin waste sent to landfills.
What Happens To Unsold Pumpkins After Halloween?
What happens to all those unsold pumpkins after Halloween? It all depends on who you ask.
The pumpkins may feel a bit disappointed that they weren’t picked for a Jack-o-lantern, but there are still plenty of things to do with them.
From a business standpoint, unsold pumpkins can be highly profitable.
Stores may donate them to local farms or gardens as a natural fertilizer, or they may use them to feed livestock or turn them into compost.
Plus, after Halloween there’s often a pumpkin-cooking craze.
Stores with a surplus of pumpkins will heavily discount them, so customers can bake pies, soups, muffins, and more with them.
This way, a seasonal item can become an all-year treat.
So, unsold pumpkins don’t just get thrown away.
In fact, they get a second chance and can be enjoyed for months to come.
Final Thoughts
The results of our survey showed that Americans spend an average of $40 on pumpkins during the month of October.
Factors such as pumpkins’ versatility and the abundance of festivals and events where they are featured are among the reasons for people’s willingness to spend money on pumpkins.
Now that you know the surprising results of this survey, why not create your own pumpkin-related activities and events to join in on the autumn spirit?