From soups and curries to desserts and baby food, kabocha – also known as Japanese pumpkin – is a staple across Asia. Its naturally sweet flavour, smooth texture, and rich nutritional profile make it a standout ingredient in both traditional and modern cuisines.
As demand for kabocha grows, driven by health trends, plant-based diets, and its culinary versatility, New Zealand has become a trusted supplier. Known for its high quality, food safety standards, and ideal growing conditions, New Zealand is well positioned to meet this demand. Reid Produce Co. plays a key role, offering premium kabocha in versatile formats for food manufacturers, service providers, and hospitality businesses.
The global demand for kabocha
New Zealand exports around 90,000 tonnes of kabocha annually—valued at NZ$90 million—making up approximately 33% of the global export value. A large portion of this is destined for Japan, Korea, and other Asian markets. The rising demand for kabocha is driven by several factors:
- Health-conscious consumers: Kabocha’s nutrient-dense composition makes it an ideal choice for the health-conscious market. Rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and fibre, it supports a balanced lifestyle.
- Plant-based diets: As more consumers opt for plant-based options, kabocha’s nutritional profile positions it as a perfect ingredient for vegetarian and vegan diets. Its sustainability and health benefits align with the growing plant-based trend.
- Culinary versatility: Kabocha’s naturally sweet, starchy flesh and smooth texture make it perfect for both savoury and sweet dishes. Chefs love using it in everything from soups and stews to roasts, purees, and even desserts, enhancing its popularity across various cuisines.
Why New Zealand leads the way
New Zealand’s favourable climate, fertile volcanic soil, and robust food safety regulations have positioned it as a leading producer of kabocha. Hawke’s Bay, known for its ideal growing conditions, provides nearly 60% of the country’s commercial Kabocha production. This region is home to Reid Produce Co. and where we source and process premium kabocha that meets the highest quality standards.
Reid Produce Co.: exporting quality kabocha
At Reid Produce Co., we take pride in our premium New Zealand-grown kabocha. We offer customised solutions to meet specific market needs, ensuring each batch is fully traceable.
What we offer:
- Variety of forms: Our kabocha is available peeled or with skin on, diced, pureed or trapezoid cut. These versatile options are ready to bake or can be easily added to soups, sauces, and baby food.
- Frozen options: Frozen formats include individual quick freezing and block frozen
- Packaging solutions: Products can be packed in cartons or drums and shipped in refrigerated containers to maintain optimal quality to suit customer demand.
Popular kabocha varieties:
- Ebisu: Known for its sweet flavour and dense texture.
- Ajihei: Prized for its smooth flesh and balanced taste.
- Kuriyutaka: a late maturing dry nutty flavoured sweet variety
- Hokkori: Uniformly sweet fruit with a dry texture
Let’s work together
As demand for kabocha continues to grow, we’re excited to connect New Zealand’s finest squash with markets across Asia. For more information or to place an order, please get in touch.
