Sainsbury’s and Tesco carve out joint lead in Halloween pumpkin prices
Sainsbury’s and Tesco have emerged as the cheapest major UK supermarkets for Halloween pumpkins, with each recording an average fixed-price cost of £1.30, according to new research.
Average prices cover the fixed-price pumpkin options recorded at each supermarket. Sizes and ranges vary, so the figures are not a like-for-like comparison by weight. Prices were checked on 7 October 2026.
The analysis by Fast Loan UK compared pumpkin prices across nine of the UK’s biggest supermarkets. It comes as figures shared by Devon County Council in October 2025 estimated that 30.4 million pumpkins are bought for carving at Halloween in the UK.
The result puts Sainsbury’s and Tesco ahead of the traditional discounters. Tesco’s range included a large pumpkin at £2 and a small option at 59p, while Sainsbury’s offered a large pumpkin for £2 and a medium pumpkin for 59p.
Pumpkin price league table
| Supermarket | Average Cost of Pumpkin |
| Sainsbury’s | £1.30 |
| Tesco | £1.30 |
| Aldi | £1.54 |
| Lidl | £1.69 |
| Asda | £1.72 |
| Morrisons | £1.83 |
| M&S | £2.00 |
| Coop | £2.50 |
| Waitrose | £2.75 |
Aldi ranked next with an average price of £1.54. Its three-size range comprised a medium pumpkin at 55p, a large pumpkin at £1.69 and an extra-large pumpkin at £2.39.
Lidl followed at £1.69, with Asda at £1.72 and Morrisons at £1.83. M&S averaged £2, while Co-op came in at £2.50.
At the other end of the ranking, Waitrose recorded the highest average across the fixed-price pumpkins included in the research, at £2.75. Its medium pumpkin cost £2 and its large pumpkin £3.50. Small pumpkins, sold at £2.20 per kilogram, were excluded because their final price varies by weight.
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Joe Brunt, consumer finance expert at Financial Conduct Authority-authorised and regulated credit broker Fast Loan UK, said shoppers should choose a pumpkin that matches how they plan to use it.
“Getting more value from your Halloween spending starts with choosing a pumpkin that suits your plans. If you only need a small one to carve, buying a larger pumpkin means spending more than you need to.”
Brunt added that the fresh flesh removed during carving can be saved for soup, curry or stew, while the seeds can be roasted as a snack. Although carving pumpkins can be more watery and less flavoursome than cooking varieties, he said the flesh can still help bulk out a meal.
He advised setting the flesh aside as the pumpkin is carved, then refrigerating it promptly or freezing it for later. He cautioned against eating a carved pumpkin after it has been left outside for several days.
“A little planning can turn one Halloween purchase into both a family activity and an ingredient for dinner, helping you get more from the money you’ve already spent.”
Photo by Marius Ciocirlan on Unsplash
