Bad weather, a fungus outbreak and shipping issues have impacted many US pumpkin farmers this year.
Many US farmers are facing a pumpkin shortage this year due to bad weather conditions, shipping issues and fungus, according to recent reports. Illinois and California, which are among the top pumpkin-producing states in the US, have been hit particularly hard, with “fewer varieties and smaller yields” in many areas.
"I'd say we lost 25 to 30% of our crop," Penny Bliler, co-owner of Indian Knoll Pumpkin Patch, told Central Illinois' WAND-TV. While California’s pumpkin growers struggle with drought, Kansas has had a problem with too much rain.
Due to the supply shortage, retailers in Kansas have turned to their neighbours in Nebraska to meet customer demand. However, this has increased shipping prices, driving up the cost of pumpkins.
"There's not going to be a grand pumpkin shortage, but what we are facing is an OK year," Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director Raghela Scavuzzo told NBC News.
Americans are expected to spend more than three billion dollars on decorations for Halloween.
