Cucumbers and gherkins market in Albania

Earlier Report Observations

Albania's production of cucumbers and gherkins increased from 120.4 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 129.9 thousand tons in 2022, before a slight dip to 128.8 thousand tons in 2023. The domestic market volume, however, showed more pronounced swings. It grew to 106.2 thousand tons in 2019, then contracted sharply to 90.2 thousand tons in 2020, recovered strongly to 118.5 thousand tons in 2022, and fell again to 97.0 thousand tons in 2023. The value of the market followed a similar volatile pattern, reaching $90.5 million in 2022.

A significant policy change occurred at the end of 2023 when the Albanian government implemented a zero VAT rate on fresh or chilled vegetables, including cucumbers and gherkins, effective from December 1, 2023. This measure, intended to reduce the tax burden on these products, is likely to influence retail pricing and consumer affordability in the subsequent period, though its full impact falls outside the reported years.

Production cucumbers and gherkins in Albania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cucumbers and gherkins, 2017-2020

World map of production of cucumbers and gherkins, 2017-2020

Albania's production of cucumbers and gherkins saw a two-year advance before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 126.6 thousand tonnes, but by 2020 it had fallen to 113.7 thousand tonnes, marking a 10.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production increased by 3.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.0%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 9.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Albania in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from Albania

Exports in kind, t

Albania's exports of cucumbers and gherkins have grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country exported 23 761 tonnes, representing a 14.0% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 13%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 17 059 tonnes, which was an 18.8% decline from the previous year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase, with exports jumping by 22.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Albania in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria were the key destinations for Albania's cucumber and gherkin exports in volume terms. Serbia accounted for 41.6% of exports, North Macedonia for 12.9%, and Bulgaria for 11.1%. Together, these three countries represented 65.6% of Albania's total export flows during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Albania in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Albania's export value for cucumbers and gherkins has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 11 772 thousand US dollars, showing a modest rise of 9.2% compared to 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 22.1%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 6.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Albania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina were the largest buyers of Albanian cucumbers and gherkins in value terms. Serbia held a 40.9% share of exports, North Macedonia 13.2%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina 7.7%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 61.8% of Albania's total export value during this timeframe.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Albania in value, 2017-2020

Imports cucumbers and gherkins to Albania

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Albania's imports of cucumbers and gherkins declined. In 2019, imports peaked at 411 tonnes, but by 2020 they had dropped to 278 tonnes, a steep reduction of 32.5% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall imports increased by 21.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.8%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when imports surged by 41.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Albania in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Greece dominated Albania's imports of cucumbers and gherkins in volume terms, accounting for 83.2% of the total. The remaining volume was distributed among many other countries, each with smaller individual shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Albania in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year rise, Albania's import value for cucumbers and gherkins fell. In 2019, imports reached their highest point at 266 thousand US dollars, but in 2020 they decreased to 184 thousand US dollars, down 30.7% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 32.9%, which corresponds to an average annual growth rate of 10.0%. The most significant increase was recorded in 2018, when import value rose by 51.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Albania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During the period from 2017 to 2020, Greece remained the primary source for Albania's cucumber and gherkin imports in value terms, holding an 84.5% share of total flows. The rest of the import value was spread across numerous other destinations, each with minor contributions.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Albania in value, 2017-2020