EU: Cucumber And Gherkin Market 2025

Cucumber And Gherkin Market Size in the EU

For the third year in a row, the EU cucumber and gherkin market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 5.4% to $X in 2022. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the market value increased by 9.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

Cucumber And Gherkin Production in the EU

In value terms, cucumber and gherkin production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 12% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Spain (X tons), Poland (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons), with a combined 60% share of total production. Germany, France, Romania, Greece and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by France (with a CAGR of +2.7%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average cucumber and gherkin yield stood at X tons per ha in 2022, approximately equating 2021. The yield indicated a tangible increase from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, cucumber and gherkin yield decreased by -0.8% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 29%. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the cucumber and gherkin yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of cucumbers and gherkins production in the European Union declined slightly to X ha, standing approx. at the previous year. Overall, the harvested area continues to indicate a perceptible decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 3.5% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Cucumber And Gherkin Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2022, after five years of growth, there was decline in shipments abroad of cucumbers and gherkins, when their volume decreased by -3.8% to X tons. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when exports increased by 8.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2021, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

In value terms, cucumber and gherkin exports rose markedly to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 14% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Spain represented the major exporter of cucumbers and gherkins in the European Union, with the volume of exports amounting to X tons, which was approx. 48% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by the Netherlands (X tons), creating a 31% share of total exports. Greece (X tons), Belgium (X tons), Romania (X tons) and Germany (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Romania (with a CAGR of +11.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest cucumber and gherkin supplying countries in the European Union were Spain ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Belgium ($X), with a combined 87% share of total exports. Greece, Germany and Romania lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 5.6%.

Romania, with a CAGR of +10.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 11% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.0%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the export price increased by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Spain ($X per ton), while Romania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+2.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cucumber And Gherkin Imports

Imports in the EU

After five years of growth, purchases abroad of cucumbers and gherkins decreased by -6.1% to X tons in 2022. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 5.9%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, cucumber and gherkin imports stood at $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 13%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

Germany was the major importer of cucumbers and gherkins in the European Union, with the volume of imports amounting to X tons, which was near 45% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by the Netherlands (X tons), Poland (X tons), France (X tons), Belgium (X tons) and the Czech Republic (X tons), together mixing up a 32% share of total imports. Sweden (X tons), Austria (X tons), Bulgaria (X tons), Romania (X tons), Denmark (X tons), Hungary (X tons) and Italy (X tons) took a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to cucumber and gherkin imports into Germany stood at +1.0%. At the same time, Romania (+18.0%), Poland (+9.6%), Bulgaria (+8.6%), Hungary (+6.0%), Austria (+3.7%), Italy (+3.0%) and Sweden (+1.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Romania emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +18.0% from 2012-2022. Belgium, France and Denmark experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the Czech Republic (-2.2%) and the Netherlands (-3.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Poland (+3.7 p.p.) and Romania (+1.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while the Czech Republic and the Netherlands saw its share reduced by -2.1% and -4.6% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Germany ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported cucumbers and gherkins in the European Union, comprising 48% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Netherlands ($X), with a 7.5% share of total imports. It was followed by France, with a 6.7% share.

In Germany, cucumber and gherkin imports increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Netherlands (-1.2% per year) and France (+3.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 12% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.8%. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Denmark ($X per ton), while Bulgaria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+4.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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