A new world record for the heaviest aubergine has been set by a Pennsylvania resident. The enormous eggplant, grown by Erik Gunstrom of Harrison City, was officially weighed and verified by experts from the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth (GPC) on August 19, 2025.
The colossal fruit tipped the scales at a staggering 3.969 kg (8 lb 12 oz), breaking the previous record. The aubergine’s circumference measured 78.7 cm (2 ft 7 in). Gunstrom, who has been competitively growing giant vegetables for years, cultivated the record-breaking pair—his second aubergine also broke the previous record, weighing in at 3.9 kg.
The record-setting aubergine now holds the title previously held by Dave Bennett of Iowa, who had set a record of 3.778 kg (8 lb 5.3 oz) in 2024. The GPC is the go-to authority for verifying giant vegetables, bringing a level of competitive organization to the world of oversized produce.
