Europe: Cucumber And Gherkin Market 2025

Cucumber And Gherkin Market Size in Europe

For the third consecutive year, the Europe cucumber and gherkin market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 4.7% to $X in 2022. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a mild contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the market value increased by 8.8%. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Cucumber And Gherkin Production in Europe

In value terms, cucumber and gherkin production reached $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a noticeable decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Russia (X tons), Ukraine (X tons) and Spain (X tons), together accounting for 57% of total production. Poland, the Netherlands, Germany, Belarus, France, Romania, Greece and Albania lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 32%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Albania (with a CAGR of +4.6%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average cucumber and gherkin yield shrank modestly to X tons per ha in 2022, standing approx. at the year before. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the yield increased by 9.7% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2021, and then fell slightly in the following year. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The cucumber and gherkin harvested area amounted to X ha in 2022, leveling off at the year before. Overall, the harvested area, however, recorded a noticeable descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the harvested area increased by 1.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to cucumber and gherkin production reached the maximum at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Cucumber And Gherkin Exports

Exports in Europe

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was decline in overseas shipments of cucumbers and gherkins, when their volume decreased by -4.7% to X tons. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 9.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, cucumber and gherkin exports rose notably to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% 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 with an increase of 14%. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

Spain was the main exporter of cucumbers and gherkins in Europe, with the volume of exports resulting at X tons, which was approx. 44% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by the Netherlands (X tons), committing a 28% share of total exports. The following exporters - Greece (X tons), Belgium (X tons), Romania (X tons), Germany (X tons), Albania (X tons), Russia (X tons) and Belarus (X tons) - together made up 17% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Russia (with a CAGR of +99.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Spain ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Belgium ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together comprising 83% of total exports. Greece, Belarus, Germany, Romania, Albania and Russia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 8.9%.

Among the main exporting countries, Russia, with a CAGR of +85.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, 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 Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 10% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the export price increased by 12% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

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 Albania (+4.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cucumber And Gherkin Imports

Imports in Europe

In 2022, overseas purchases of cucumbers and gherkins decreased by -1.6% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 6.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cucumber and gherkin imports rose notably to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 12% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Germany (X tons) represented the major importer of cucumbers and gherkins, creating 34% of total imports. The UK (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by the Netherlands (X tons), Poland (X tons) and France (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 30% share of total imports. The following importers - Belgium (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons), Russia (X tons), Ukraine (X tons), Sweden (X tons), Austria (X tons), Bulgaria (X tons) and Romania (X tons) - together made up 21% of total imports.

Imports into Germany increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Romania (+18.0%), Ukraine (+10.5%), Poland (+9.6%), Bulgaria (+8.6%), the UK (+4.4%), Austria (+3.7%) and Sweden (+1.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Romania emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Europe, with a CAGR of +18.0% from 2012-2022. Belgium and France experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the Czech Republic (-2.2%), the Netherlands (-3.0%) and Russia (-11.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The UK (+3.7 p.p.), Poland (+2.9 p.p.) and Ukraine (+1.5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while the Netherlands and Russia saw its share reduced by -3.2% and -8.8% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Germany ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported cucumbers and gherkins in Europe, comprising 37% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the UK ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 5.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Germany amounted to +4.4%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the UK (+6.5% per year) and the Netherlands (-1.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 12% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.7%. 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 Sweden ($X per ton), while Bulgaria ($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