Cucumbers and gherkins market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The Asian cucumbers and gherkins market volume grew to 79 597 thousand tons in 2019 before contracting to 77 035 thousand tons in 2020. Following a slight recovery in 2021 and 2022, volume declined to 77 562 thousand tons in 2023. This downturn was influenced by stricter enforcement of food licensing rules for cold dishes like smashed cucumber salads in the catering sector, which led to fines for many restaurants and reduced demand from foodservice channels.

In 2024, regulatory adjustments were implemented to simplify licensing for simple food preparation, easing compliance for small餐饮 operators. Concurrently, policies promoting agricultural green transformation and updated food labeling standards were introduced, aiming to support production quality and market transparency.

Production cucumbers and gherkins in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cucumbers and gherkins, 2017-2020

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

After two years of growth, cucumber and gherkin production in Asia experienced a decline. In 2020, Asia produced 77 200 thousand tons of cucumbers and gherkins, marking a moderate 3.2% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production overall increased by 4.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.5%. The peak production was recorded in 2019 at 79 758 thousand tons, with the largest year-on-year increase of 4.2% also occurring that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of cucumber and gherkin output in Asia was 71 188 million US dollars, representing a 10.0% drop from the previous year. The lowest value in this period was recorded in 2018 at 69 449 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 79 075 million US dollars. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 13.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Cucumber and gherkin exports from Asia declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, Asia exported 231.9 thousand tons of cucumbers and gherkins, down 18.2% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 17%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of -6.0%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 340.2 thousand tons, with the largest increase of 21.8% also taking place that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, no single market dominated cucumber and gherkin exports from Asia. Russia accounted for 17.2% of exports in volume, Ukraine for 2.7%, and Bulgaria for 1.5%, collectively representing just 21.4% of total exports. Many smaller partners each held modest individual shares, indicating a fragmented market structure.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Foreign supplies of cucumbers and gherkins from Asia fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Asia exported 213.9 million US dollars worth of cucumbers and gherkins, a 23.9% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 21.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 308.8 million US dollars, and the largest increase of 12.7% also occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia was the largest buyer of cucumbers and gherkins from Asia in value terms, accounting for 22.4% of exports, followed by Ukraine at 2.8% and Germany at 2.5%. Together, these three countries represented only 27.7% of total export value, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base with many smaller markets.

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

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

Imports cucumbers and gherkins to Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Cucumber and gherkin imports into Asia declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, Asia imported 66.7 thousand tons of cucumbers and gherkins, a sharp 45.5% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 39.3%, equating to an average annual decline of 15.3%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 131.9 thousand tons, with the largest increase of 19.9% also occurring that year.

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

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Asia's import volume of cucumbers and gherkins dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 109.0 million US dollars, a 25.1% loss compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 15.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.3%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 171.6 million US dollars, and the largest increase of 33.8% also took place in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands was the primary source for cucumber and gherkin imports into Asia, accounting for 1.0% of total imports in value terms.

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

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