0. Executive Summary
1786920586_1828e89aa7985198a465.jpg
AI Generated Image ©Markethub.org 

Judgment axis

Key judgment

Item IdentityMature seeds of Cucurbita spp. of the Cucurbitaceae family. Species are not standardized solely by the general trade name.
Key roleWhole Seed · Shelled Kernel · Pepita · Roasted Seeds · Powder · Powder · Paste · Edible Oil Raw Material
Harvesting principlePrioritize managing seed maturity, seed quality, harvest date, and seed lot over fruit size.
Product separationIndividual Product Management (In-shell, Hulled, Hullless, Raw, Roasted, Granule, Powder, Paste, Oil)
Separation of similar itemsSpecies distinct from chia, sesame, and perilla. The Product Entity is separated even if the Plant Source overlaps with the pumpkin flesh Product.
Domestic food classificationAccording to data related to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, pumpkin seeds are managed as seeds, along with sesame, perilla, and sunflower seeds. ( Ministry of Food and Drug Safety )
Domestic production statisticsArea and production volume of edible pumpkin seeds cultivated exclusively: To be entered after verification of official raw data.
Pumpkin SpeciesThe Rural Development Administration classifies C. moschata, C. maxima, C. pepo, C. ficifolia, and C. argyrosperma lines as major cultivated varieties. ( Rural Development Administration )
Possibility of exclusive use by the royal familyNongsaroo's overseas agricultural information features a case study on utilizing a new, seedless C. pepo variety as a food ingredient. ( Nongsaroo )
Food safety risksAs Food Safety Korea disclosed a case in 2022 where imported pumpkin seeds exceeding pesticide residue standards were recalled, traceability of origin, lot, and pesticide residue is crucial. ( Food Safety Korea )
Incoming inspection riskIt is confirmed that pumpkin seeds are included in the list of items subject to strengthened pesticide testing in import inspection notices on the Food Safety Korea website. ( Food Safety Korea )
Processing riskMoisture, foreign matter, seed coat contamination, immature kernels, rancidity, roasting variation, powder oxidation, oil oxidation
Operating PrinciplesSpecies–Cultivar–Production Purpose–Fruit Lot–Seed Lot–Processing Lot–Buyer RFQ Connection
Final goalConnecting pumpkin producers/seed-dedicated farms – seed processing – food manufacturing – distribution – PB buyers with recurring transaction data

Pumpkin seeds cannot be viewed merely as a byproduct of pumpkin processing. Since C. pepo strains include varieties with thin or absent seed coats for seed utilization, MarketHub separates Seed Products recovered from the main fruit product from Seed Products cultivated for the purpose of seed production . ( Nongsaroo )

1. Plant Identity & Product Master

Basic fields

detail

Korean namePumpkin seeds
English namePumpkin Seed / Squash Seed / Pepita
Representative scientific nameCucurbita spp.
Major SpeciesC. pepo · C. maxima · C. moschata et al.
classificationCucurbitaceae, Cucurbita
Edible partsKernel of a mature seed inside a ripe fruit, whole or with the seed coat removed
Non-edible · Separate managementFlesh, peel, placenta, stem, unsuitable immature seed, seed coat
Major harvesting stagesSeed enlargement → Ripening → Fruit harvest → Seed separation → Drying
Basic product formIn-shell Seed·Hulled Kernel·Pepita·Hull-less Seed·Roasted·Powder·Paste·Oil
Basic processing stageSeparation, washing, drying, sorting, peeling, roasting, grinding, pressing, filtration
Basic useDirect edible · Nut mix · Salad · Cereal · Granola · Bakery · Sauces · Oils
Principle of similar itemsSeparation of pumpkin flesh Product from edible parts/harvest purposes, and clarification of Species by Lot

The Rural Development Administration designates pumpkins as Cucurbita spp. and clarifies that domestically cultivated pumpkins do not consist of a single species. The USDA ARS also independently manages various species, such as C. maxima, C. moschata, and C. pepo, within Cucurbita genetic resources. ( Rural Development Administration )

Product Master

Product ID

Actual product form

Key Management Standards

PUMPKINSEED-P01seeds for cultivationSpecies·Cultivar·Seed Lot·Germination Rate
PUMPKINSEED-P02Live seeds inside the fruitFruit Lot · Raturity · Moisture
PUMPKINSEED-P03Washed raw pumpkin seedsCleaning, foreign matter, microorganisms
PUMPKINSEED-P04Dry In-shell SeedMoisture, fullness, seed coat
PUMPKINSEED-P05Peeled pumpkin seed kernelMolting Rate · Whole · Broken
PUMPKINSEED-P06PepitaSpecies·Cultivar·Color·Size
PUMPKINSEED-P07Hull-less SeedSeedless/Thin seed coat characteristics · Cultivar
PUMPKINSEED-P08Roasted pumpkin seedsRoast Level · Aroma · Color · Moisture
PUMPKINSEED-P09Seasoned pumpkin seedsSeasoning blend, salt content, packaging
PUMPKINSEED-P10crushed pumpkin seedsGrain size and whether roasted
PUMPKINSEED-P11Pumpkin seed powderParticle size, moisture, fat, oxidation
PUMPKINSEED-P12Pumpkin seed pasteParticle size, viscosity, and oil separation
PUMPKINSEED-P13Pumpkin seed oil ingredientsSpecies · Oil Potential · Moisture
PUMPKINSEED-P14Pumpkin seed oilMilking, Filtration, and Oxidation Management
PUMPKINSEED-P15Bakery and cereal ingredientsWhole · Size · Color · Roast
PUMPKINSEED-P16PB · Finished ProductsOrigin · Lot · Labeling · Expiration Date
2. Product Classification & Use Segmentation

Classification criteria

Subdivision type

Management principles

Plant classificationCucurbita spp.Genus Master
SpeciesC. pepo, C. maxima, C. moschata, etc.Must separate the Species field
CultivarFor flesh, for seeds, hull-less type, etc.Cultivar Master
Edible partsflesh and seedsSeparation of Product Entity
production purposeMain fruit product · Seed exclusive · Dual useProduction Purpose
Harvesting stageUnripe fruit, ripe fruit, ripe seedsSeparate Harvest Stage
testaIn-shell·Thin-hull·Hull-less·HulledProduct Separation
Distribution methodsFresh Seed Room · Dried Seed Room · Kernel · PepitaSKU separation
Processing formRaw·Roasted·Granule·Powder·Paste·OilProduct ID
Final useSnack·Cereal·Bakery·Salad·HMR·Paste·OilBuyer Spec
Transaction typeSource Procurement · By-product Recovery · Seed Contract Farming · Import · OEM/PBContract NDA
3. Production, Harvest & Post-harvest

step

Essential Dataset

Management purpose

Cultivation planSpecies · Cultivar · Seed/Flesh PurposeProduction plan
satelliteSeed Lot · Germination Rate · Sourcebreed tracking
Seedling cultivationSowing date, germination, seedling ageEarly growth
Transplanting and SowingDate · Planting densityProduction Lot
growthVine length, number of leaves, growth statusYield Forecast
risingTemperature, rainfall, sunshine, frostCrop Risk
WateringSoil moisture and irrigation amountgrowth
disputeInput amount and timingProduction history
floweringFlowering dates for male and female flowersFruit set
moistureBees, artificial pollination, weatherFruit Set
Fruit setFruit trees and fallen fruitProduction forecast
Excessive negligencestate of negligenceSeed Development
enlargement of the royal familySeed qualitySeed Yield
pestsOccurrence and ControlProduction and Safety
Fully ripenedFruit and seed maturationSeed Harvest
Fruit harvestFruit Lot · Harvest DateRaw Material Lot
Incision and seed separationSeed RecoveryKey yield
purifyingRemoval of placenta, flesh, and foreign matterhygiene
1st screeningRemoval of immature and decayed grainsSeed Grade
dryTime and moistureStorage stability
JeongseonSize, foreign matter, incomplete fissuresFood Grade
ecdysisKernel retrieval/damageHulled Product
Kernel screeningWhole/Broken · ColorBuyer Grade
stir-fryTemperature, Time, Roast LevelSnack
Powder/GrindIslandIngredient
PasteViscosity and oil separationSauce/Spread
milkingSeed Weight · Oil YieldOil
percolationSediment/Foreign matterOil Quality
packagingOxygen and moisture blockageZhejiang Province
saveTemperature, light, oxygen, periodRancidity management
shipmentBuyer·LotDelivery
4. Quality Specification & Lot Management

Quality items

In-shell Seed

Hulled/Pepita

processed goods

finished product

Public rating

SpeciesessentialsuccessionsuccessiontrackingPublic
CultivaressentialsuccessiontrackingtrackingVerified
production purposeRoyal family/Dual usesuccessiontracking-Member
OriginessentialsuccessionsuccessiontrackingPublic
FarmIDsuccessiontrackingtrackingVerified
LotessentialnewnewnewVerified/NDA
Fruit Lotessentialsuccessiontracking-Verified
Harvest dayessentialsuccessiontracking-Verified
Seed maturationcoreRaw material history--Verified
Seed skin conditioncoreRemoval/CustaceanRaw material history-Member
appearancecorecoreRaw Material EvaluationProduct StandardsMember
colorSeed coat colorKernel colorcoreProduct StandardsMember
sizeSeed SizeKernel SizeRaw material specificationsProduct StandardsMember
weightraw materialKernelInput and OutputDisplay amountMember
faithfulcorecoreRaw Material Evaluation-Verified
immature teethcheckeliminate--Verified
BrokencheckcoreProduct BranchProduct StandardsVerified
alien substanceessentialessentialessentialessentialVerified
moistureDrying corecoreBy productProduct StandardsVerified
pesticide residuesLegal standardssuccessioncheckLegal standardsVerified/NDA
microorganismIf necessaryimportancecoreProduct StandardsVerified/NDA
Mold and decayessentialessentialNon-conformity exclusionProduct StandardsVerified
Stir-fry too-correspondingcoretrackingNDA
Island-BrokenPowder · PastestandardVerified
Oil YieldRaw material characteristicscoreMilking linkage-Verified/NDA
Oxidation and ranciditysavecorePowder/Paste/OilcoreVerified/NDA
Processing history-essentialessentialessentialNDA
packagingBulkB2BBy productLabeling packagingMember
savedryBy productBy productBy productVerified
Expiration dateThe relevant cityBy productTest-basedmarkVerified
ShipmentrecordrecordrecordrecordVerified
Returns and ClaimsrecordrecordrecordrecordNDA
RepurchaseconnectionconnectionconnectionconnectionNDA

The Korea Food Safety website discloses actual cases where imported pumpkin seeds were recalled due to exceeding pesticide residue standards. This demonstrates that the Origin, Import Lot, Pesticide Residue Test Report, and Release/Hold relationships must be managed as essential elements in the Pumpkin Seed RFQ process. ( Korea Food Safety website )

In addition, pumpkin (seeds) is listed as an individual test item in the Food Safety Korea standard specification search system. The actual suitability determination applies the latest standards of the Food Code at the relevant time. ( Food Safety Korea )


Lot Master Required Field

Lot ID · Item · Product Type · Species · Scientific Name · Cultivar · Production Purpose (Flesh/Seed/Dual Use) · Seed Coat Type · Crop Year · Origin · Cultivation Area · Origin · Producer · Seed Lot · Sowing/Planting Date · Flowering · Fruit Set · Fruit Lot · Fruit Harvest Date · Seed Separation Date · Seed Maturity · Original Seed Weight · Size · Fullness · Grade · Immature Kernels · Broken Kernels · Foreign Matter · Mold · Pesticide Use History · Pesticide Residue · Microbial Test Report · Washing · Drying · Storage History · Dehulling Date · Kernel Weight · Dehulling Yield · Whole/Broken Ratio · Raw Material Lot · Roasting · Minced · Powder · Paste · Oil Extraction History · Oil Yield · Packaging Date · Best Before Date · Shipper · Returns · Claims · Repurchase

5. Korea Market & Demand Structure

Customers

Purchase criteria

Cooperation opportunities

pumpkin farmersSpecies · Cultivar · Ripe fruitSeed Recovery
Seed-only farmsHull-less Kernel YieldContract Farming
Agricultural cooperatives and producer organizationsFruit/Seed Lot · OriginJoint shipment
Seed importerOrigin · Crop Year · SpecImport RFQ
Nut and seed distributionIn-shell · Pepita · MoistureBulk Supply
Roasted nut productionKernel Size · Roast AptitudeProcessing
Cereal and GranolaPepita · Whole · ColorIngredient
BakeryWhole · PowderRegular supply
Salad · HMRRoasted/PepitaFoodservice
School and public mealsOrigin, Safety, StandardsContract Supply
Sauce preparationPowder·PasteIngredient
Edible oil productionOil Potential · Milking AptitudeOil RFQ
Large-scale distributionOrigin, Packaging, InspectionRetail/PB
Online distributionRaw · Roasted · Small PackagingCommerce
PB·OEMSnack · Seed Mix · OilManufacturing cooperation
Research and breeding institutionsHull-less Seed YieldCultivar Pilot
6. Trade & Supply-chain Intelligence

step

Key variables

Operational judgment

Domestic pumpkin productionSpecies · Cultivar · Fruit UsePossibility of Seed Recovery
Production exclusively for seedsHull-less Seed YieldContract Farming
Securing full ripenessFruit yield and seed maturityRaw Supply
Seed separationSeed RecoveryBy-product → Main Product Conversion
Wash and dryMoisture and hygieneFood Grade
ecdysisKernel YieldProcessing Economics
Import procurementOrigin · Crop Year · SpecSupply of shortfall
Safety inspectionpesticide residues and microorganismsRelease/Hold
Kernel screeningWhole/Broken · ColorBuyer Grade
Roasting and processingRoast · YieldValue-add
milkingOil YieldPremium Product
Distribution and supplyTest Report · Delivery DateBuyer Evaluation
RFQ · RepurchaseQuality, Yield, PriceSupplier Ranking

Import and export management

item

Management principles

Pumpkin Seeds HSRegister after verifying the actual item description in the current Korea Customs Service HSK (2026).
edible seedsSeparate seeds for sowing and seeds for eating
In-shell SeedCheck item classification including seed coat
Hulled/PepitaCheck item classification separately for molted state
Roasted SeedCan be classified separately from fresh and dried seeds
Powder/PasteHS Re-verification by Degree of Processing and Blending
Pumpkin Seed OilCheck oils and fats separately three times.
Korea's import volumeInput after verification of raw data by the Korea Customs Service for 2025/2026
Korean import valueInput after official verification of raw data
Major suppliersEnter after verifying HS, Country, Quantity, and Amount
FTAAgreement Tariff Rates by Origin, HS, and Processing Status, and Rules of Origin
Food inspectionLatest standards for pesticide residues, microorganisms, and contaminants
Customs clearance unit priceSeparate calculation of In-shell, Hulled, and Roasted
7. Processing, By-products & PRP Intelligence

Products and processes

Key conditions

RFQ conversion

Ripe pumpkinSpecies·Cultivar·Seed MaturitySeed Recovery RFQ
Fruit separation fresh seedsFruit Lot · Moisture · ContaminationRaw Seed
Washing seedsCleaning, foreign matter, microorganismsProcessor RFQ
Dry In-shellMoisture contentBulk Seed
Hulled KernelMolting Yield · WholeKernel RFQ
Hull-less SeedCultivar · Seed coat characteristicsPremium Ingredient
PepitaColor, size, moistureRetail/B2B
Roasted SeedRoast Level · ScentSnack
Seasoned SeedSeasoning and mixingPB/OEM
GranuleParticle size and colorBakery
PowderParticle size, moisture, oxidationHMR
PasteViscosity, particle size, and oil separationSauce/Spread
Oil Raw MaterialOil Potential · MoistureOil Processor
Pumpkin Seed OilPressing, filtration, oxidationOil RFQ
Seed CakeResidual oil content and safetyFood and feed conversion is verified by laws and regulations
pulpExisting Pumpkin ProductSeparate Product Runtime
Pericarp and placentaSeparation from food ingredientsSeparate verification of by-product utilization
Unsuitable seedsMold, pesticides, and contaminationFood supply chain exclusion

The case of Stripe Pepo featured in Nongsaroo demonstrates the potential for breeding pumpkins exclusively for their seeds, utilizing the seed coatless seeds directly as a food ingredient. However, as this is an example of a specific Japanese variety, it does not imply the performance or productivity of domestic varieties. ( Nongsaroo )

Product Research Profile (PRP)

PRP area

Key question

SpeciesWhich Cucurbita species produced the pumpkin seeds?
CultivarWhich type does it belong to: for flesh, for seed, or Hull-less?
Fruit–Seed relationshipHow does fruit maturity affect seed quality?
Seed YieldWhat is the amount of edible seeds recovered relative to the fruit weight?
testaWhat is the difference in actual processing costs between the stripping type and the hull-less type?
purifyingHow reliably are pulp and placenta residues removed?
dryWhat are the conditions for ensuring storage stability and kernel quality?
ecdysisWhat is the actual kernel recovery rate compared to the in-shell?
Whole YieldWhat is the Whole Kernel ratio after molting?
RoastingWhat are the optimal colors and scents for each size and moisture content?
PowderWhat is the oxidation stability after grinding?
PasteDo the viscosity, oil separation, and fragrance meet the Buyer's specifications?
OilWhat are the actual milking yield and storage stability?
By-productIs it economically possible to convert pumpkin processing by-products into edible seed products?
BuyerHow do Species, Origin, Kernel Yield, and Processing Performance Affect Repurchase?
8. AX Transformation

first of all

Execution item

Performance indicators

1Species·Cultivar·Production Purpose·Fruit Lot·Seed Lot required valuesRequired value completion rate
2In-shell·Hulled·Hull-less·Pepita·Powder·Oil Product separationProduct identification rate
3Linking weather, flowering, fruit set, fruit maturation, and seed maturation dataProduction history connection rate
4Datafication of pesticide residues, microorganisms, drying, peeling, and processing historyTraceability rate
5Farm – Pumpkin Processing – Seed Processing – Importer – Buyer RFQ ConnectionRFQ Match Rate
6Video AI sorting for seed color, size, immaturity, and foreign matterAutomatic judgment accuracy
7Species/Cultivar documentation linkSpecies identification rate
8Negligence → Seed Recovery Yield PredictionError compared to the actual
9Seed→Kernel Hulling Yield PredictionError compared to the actual
10Whole/Broken AI ScreeningGrade Accuracy
11Harvest and seed maturity predictionProbability of the right time
12Pesticide Residue Supplier Risk ScoreNon-conformity early detection rate
13Roast Profile OptimizationProduct specification compliance rate
14Powder and Paste Oxidation Risk PredictionClaim rate
15Oil Yield ForecastError compared to the actual
16AI Supplier/Buyer MatchSample→Contract Conversion Rate
17TraceabilitySeed Source/Fruit Lot → Finished Product Traceability
9. Industry Problem Bank

Problem group

Problem Definition

Required data

Mixed SpeciesThe original plant species is unclear based solely on the pumpkin seed product name.Scientific Name
Mixed flesh and seed productProduct information is integrated because it is the same plant.Edible Part
Insufficient production dedicated to seedsNeed to verify domestic cultivation infrastructure for seedsProduction Purpose
Seed Yield UnmanagedInsufficient data on seed recovery relative to fruit yieldRecovery Yield
immature seedsEarly harvesting of fruit may lead to a decrease in seed quality.Maturity
Seed skin deviationFluctuation Costs · Kernel Yield FluctuationsHull Type
Depilation yield variationChanges in real raw material pricesHulling Yield
Whole/Broken deviationPremium Product Yield DifferenceGrade
Washing contaminationPulp, placental residue, and microbial riskWashing
Poor dryingMold and storage issuesMoisture
pesticide residuesThere are actual cases of imported goods being recalled and inspections being strengthened.Residue Test
Foreign matter contaminationSeed Grade · Safety degradationForeign Matter
Stir-fry variationDifferences in color, aroma, and rancidityRoast Profile
Powder oxidationQuality degradation after grindingOxidation
Oil oxidationPreservative storage issuesOil Quality
Changes in import pricesChanges in overseas procurement costsTrade Price
Discontinuation of test reportsImport Lot and Inspection Data UnlinkedCertificate
Insufficient utilization of by-productsUnverified food conversion status of processed pumpkin seedsBy-product Dataset
Repurchase not reflectedBuyer performance is not reflected in Cultivar/Supplier selectionEvaluation·Reorder
10. Farmer RFQ & Collaboration Model

RFQ Type

Public Registration

Verify/NDA

Ripe Pumpkin Seed RecoverySpecies·Cultivar·RegionFarms · Fruit Yield · Seed Yield
Contract cultivation exclusively for seedsCultivar · Hull Type · Harvest PeriodArea, Quantity, Price
Selling raw pumpkin seedsOrigin·Species·MoistureLot · Actual Unit Price
Dry In-shell PurchaseMoisture · Content · SizeMOQ · Price
Purchase Hulled KernelWhole/Broken · ColorTest Report · Actual Unit Price
Hull-less SeedSpecies·Cultivar·Seed coat characteristicsSeed Source · Volume
Pepita Regular SupplyOrigin · Grade · MoistureContract Quantity
Roasted pumpkin seedsRoast Level · Color · ScentMOQ · Delivery Time
Seasoned pumpkin seedsSeasoning · PackagingOEM
BuntaeParticle size and colorBakery
powderParticle size, moisture, fatHMR
PasteViscosity and oil separationSauce
Raw materials for oilOil Potential · MoistureActual milking yield
Pumpkin seed oil OEMPressing, filtration, and packagingManufacturing conditions
Cereal and GranolaPepita·WholeRegular delivery
School meals and dining outSafety, Standards, PackagingContract
PBSnack · Seed Mix · OilOEM
importOrigin · Crop Year · SpecExporter · Freight · Unit Price
Technology demonstrationSeed Recovery · AI Screening · HullingTest conditions
Research cooperationCultivar·Seed Yield·OilDataset·IP
11. RFQ Request First

① Need Products & Materials

Companies and institutions seeking necessary products, agricultural products, raw materials, and processed goods register purchasing demands. Registered requests are utilized to review cooperation with potential suppliers and producers based on the RFQ Intelligence Library.

Process:
RFQ Registration → Supplier/Product Review → Collaboration Connection → Future AI Matching

Register


② We are looking for production and manufacturing partners. (Need Suppliers & Manufacturers)

Register a request to find necessary production and supply partners, ranging from farms and producer organizations to processing companies, OEM, ODM, and private label manufacturers.

Process:
RFQ Registration → Review of Production & Manufacturing Capabilities → Collaboration Connection → Future AI Partner Matching

Register


③ We are looking for domestic and international buyers. (Need Buyers)

Farmers, producer organizations, and manufacturing companies are requesting cooperation with new buyers, such as domestic and international distributors, importers, brand companies, and food service and catering businesses.

Process:
RFQ Registration → Product & Supply Capability Review → Market & Buyer Connection → Future AI Buyer Matching

Register

Contact : mail@markethub.org

Version History

Version

Main contents

situation

v1.0Cucurbita Species · Pulp/Seed Product Separation · Seed Recovery · Peppita · Roast · Powder · Paste · Oil · RFQ Basic Structure Registrationcomplete
v1.1Domestic Production · Species · Cultivar · 2025/2026 Import Volume · Current HSK · FTA Official Raw Data Verificationexpected
v2.0Detailed specifications for Seeds, Hull-less Cultivar, Seed Recovery, Hulling Yield, Whole/Broken, Roasting, Powder, Paste, and Oilexpected
v3.0Seed Supplier–Pumpkin Farmer–Fruit Processing–Seed Processor–Importer–Food Manufacturer–Buyer Verified Container Combinationexpected