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Pumpkin-Palooza: Farewell To Fruit, Long Live Spice?

As summer fades in the rear-view mirror, it's time for Americans to turn to a beloved -- and growing -- past time: pumpkin season.

But while pumpkin spice goods are on the rise, the fruit itself has seen slipping sales over the past few years.

Pumpkins And Products



Americans love pumpkin-flavored things. Pumpkin pie tops the list, as pumpkin pie filling sales totaled $134.8 million in 2014.

Pumpkin cream, coffee and baked items also make the top 10, according to a recent Nielsen report. Even pumpkin dog food makes the cut.

What doesn't make the cut? Real pumpkins.

Declining sales from 2011, 2013 and 2014 have accounted for 8.6 million fewer pumpkins sold, while pumpkin-flavored products have jumped 76% since 2011.

The Real Deal



Nielsen pointed out pumpkin, in its natural form, is very healthy, but many are getting their fix from high-calorie, high-sugar substitutes.

After coming under fire last year for artificial ingredients in their flavors, companies like Starbucks and Panera are reformulating their pumpkin spice flavorings to include real pumpkin.

Pepperidge Farm, Ben & Jerry's and Thomas' Breads have all released limited-edition pumpkin goodies containing real pumpkin.

Environmental Factors



Last year, Indiana saw a boom in pumpkin production across the state, but abundance meant many fruit were left rotting in the fields.

This year, fewer pumpkins may become pumpkin pie due to weather issues in Illinois affecting the canned pumpkin crop.

Pumpkin harvest season is coming earlier this year for some farmers across the nation where dry, hot weather has caused pumpkins to ripen more quickly, like in New Hampshire.

Read More:



  • Why U.S. Pumpkin Sales Plummet, Even as Our Taste for Pumpkin Peaks (MoneyTalksNews)
  • Real pumpkin in spiced foods doesn't necessarily make it taste better (Fox News)
  • Sales of Actual Pumpkins Down Amid Pumpkin Spice-Flavored Craze (Consumerist)


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