Large-scale imports of pumpkins have been replaced this year by farmers in the south-east who are growing the seasonal vegetable for the first time.
At least 50,000 pumpkins have been produced in the fields of south Wexford alongside conventional produce such as carrots, cauliflower and cabbage.
The initiative was the result of an approach by Superquinn to the South East Vegetable Producers company, which is supplied by about 20 farmers in the New Ross area. Superquinn opened its first store in Waterford yesterday.
Mr Noel Hayes, managing director of the company, which was set up two years ago, said about 12 acres of pumpkins had been grown this year and demand had outstripped supply. Other supermarket chains are also being supplied.
Some of the pumpkins grown weighed about two stone and were the size of beach balls, he said. Others were as small as "about two oranges".
Just how much money the venture has saved for the Irish economy is not known. Separate statistics for pumpkin exports are not kept by the Central Statistics Office.
He pointed out, however, that the Wexford growers were making a significant dent in the overall figures for vegetable imports. The local climate and soil type enable the farmers to extend the growing season at both ends.
Supermarket chains were predisposed towards buying Irish field vegetables when they were available, the spokesman added, and by adding a couple of weeks to the season at either end the Wexford producers were making an impact.
Whether they will stick with the pumpkin-growing remains to be seen. Mr Jackie Sutton, one of the farmers who grew the vegetable for the first time this year, said producing them was very labour-intensive. "You have to do everything by hand. You have to plant them by hand, weed them by hand, harvest them by hand, wash each one and even pack them by hand."
He would wait to see "how the figures add up" before deciding whether to grow them next year. Mr Hayes, however, said the demand this year is likely to lead to an increase in productivity for next Hallowe'en.
The American tradition of carving out pumpkins and placing a candle inside is said by some to have come originally from Ireland. In a throwback to pagan times, the Irish are said to have hollowed out turnips, potatoes and beet and placed a light in them to ward off evil spirits.
Once in America, it is claimed, they discovered that pumpkins were bigger, brighter and easier to carve. Mr Hayes warned that it is best not to begin the carving process too early. Hollowed-out pumpkins won't last more than three or four days before disintegrating.