The development of “brown etch” blotches and blemishes on butternut pumpkin skin relegates it to pig food or landfill, even though on the inside, the pumpkin’s bright orange flesh remains fine for human consumption.

To improve sustainability and minimise waste, a study funded by Hort Innovation has been investigating the causes of the markings.

Initially, brown etch develops in the field; however, symptoms can also manifest after harvest, meaning clean bins of pumpkins at the farm can be blighted by etch by the time it arrives at the wholesale markets.

Dr Jenny Ekman and her team at Applied Horticultural Research (AHR) conducted a small retail study looking at consumer preferences.

For a summary of the study or more information click here.