Halloween pumpkins cheaper in supermarkets like Aldi this year - five top tips for carving yours

Most pumpkins are cheaper this year, new data has shown.

Some prices have dropped by as much as 46% - despite growers battling significant wet over the course of this year.

Analysis of Assosia data by trade magazine The Grocer found out of the 23 pumpkin lines available in UK this week, 10 were cheaper, while a further eight saw no change in price compared to 2023.

Munchkin Pumpkins saw the biggest cut in price, down 46% to an average of 60p compared with this time last year. Meanwhile both ’s Halloween Aaahmazing Munchkin Pumpkin and Tesco’s standard pumpkin have dropped by over 20% to 68p and 69p respectively. All of Aldi's pumpkin offerings have either declined in price or remained the same.

The good news comes despite the National Farmers's Union giving feedback suggesting a production decline of 5% to 10% across UK pumpkin growers after the wettest 18 months on record. NFU Horticulture & Potato board vice chair Stephen Shield added that this, coupled with mild conditions had left pumpkin farmers with sodden fields and the crops more exposed to diseases and pests.

He said: “This growing season has been challenging, not just for pumpkin growers, but all horticulture growers alike.”

If you want to do the best job of carving your Halloween pumpkin this year, here are five top tips from experts at

1. Plan your design

Sketch your design on paper first or use a stencil, then transfer it onto the pumpkin using a marker or by lightly scoring the skin with a knife. You could use stencils of popular characters, scary faces, or even classic autumn designs like leaves, bats, and spider webs.

2. Cut from the bottom, not the top

Many people cut the top of the pumpkin where the stem is, but cutting a hole in the bottom instead keeps the sides sturdier and helps prevent the pumpkin from caving in over time. Cutting the bottom also makes it easier to place the pumpkin over a light source.

3. out the pumpkin thoroughly

Use a large spoon or a special pumpkin scraper to scoop out all the seeds and pulp. The thinner the walls (around 1 inch thick), the easier it is to carve and the longer the design will last, but be careful not to leave the walls too thin as this can make it more prone to collapsing.

4. Preserve your pumpkin

To prevent your pumpkin from drying out or rotting too quickly, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly or vegetable oil to the carved edges. You can also soak the pumpkin in a water-and-bleach solution (one teaspoon of bleach per three to four litres of water) for a few hours before drying it, which should help stave off mould.

5. Consider lighting and fire hazards

Traditional candles can be a fire hazard, especially if you leave them burning for long periods or if the pumpkin dries out. Consider using LED tea lights or fairy lights inside your Jack-o’-lantern for a safer but equally spooky glow.