Cucumbers and gherkins market in Azerbaijan

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the cucumber and gherkin market in Azerbaijan expanded by 12% to 244 thousand tonnes. This growth was primarily driven by the ongoing expansion of cultivation areas, which had increased after 2016 and reached 12 277 hectares, boosting domestic production. Higher customs duties on imported cucumbers, implemented earlier, also encouraged local output, while consumer education on selection and storage, along with rising interest in healthy eating, supported demand.

Market volume dropped to 224 thousand tonnes in 2020 as climate change and irrigation challenges affected agricultural yields. Recovery followed in 2021, with volume reaching 243 thousand tonnes, aided by adjustments in food security policy that balanced imports and local production. The market saw modest growth to 246 thousand tonnes in 2022, stabilized by new customs duty increases on imports and enhanced price controls, which ensured transparency amid growing consumer preference for fresh vegetables.

A significant decline to 219 thousand tonnes occurred in 2023, largely due to global food price hikes and supply chain disruptions. During this period, new countries entered Azerbaijan's import market for cucumbers and gherkins, diversifying supply sources. Subsequent factors such as state investments in agricultural technology, rising energy costs, and tax policy changes have continued to influence the market's development.

Production cucumbers and gherkins in Azerbaijan

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Azerbaijan ranked 20th globally in the production of cucumbers and gherkins.

Top producers of cucumbers and gherkins, 2018-2021

World map of production of cucumbers and gherkins, 2018-2021

In 2021, Azerbaijan produced 245.8 thousand tons of cucumbers and gherkins, an 8.3% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production grew by 9.9%, averaging an annual growth rate of 3.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 248.9 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with an 8.8% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019, with an 11.2% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Azerbaijan in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from Azerbaijan

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Azerbaijan's exports of cucumbers and gherkins increased in 2021. The export volume reached 6 505 tons, marking a sharp 31.5% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 33.7%, averaging an annual decline of 12.8%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 4 948 tons, with the largest decline occurring in 2019, a 29.0% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Azerbaijan in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Azerbaijan's exports of cucumbers and gherkins were primarily shipped to Russia, which accounted for 98.9% of total exports in volume terms.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Azerbaijan in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, Azerbaijan's exports of cucumbers and gherkins increased in 2021. Export value reached 8 803 thousand US dollars, representing a solid 20.6% year-over-year gain. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 3.2%, averaging an annual decline of 1.1%. The lowest export value was recorded in 2020 at 7 299 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline in 2019, an 18.9% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Azerbaijan in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the export market structure was highly concentrated, with Russia alone responsible for 99.4% of total exports in value terms.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Azerbaijan in value, 2018-2021

Imports cucumbers and gherkins to Azerbaijan

Imports in kind, t

Azerbaijan's imports of cucumbers and gherkins increased for the second consecutive year in 2021. Import volume totaled 3 316 tons, a 55.1% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period 2018-2021, imports decreased by 13.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.8%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 038 tons, with the largest decline also in 2019, a 47.0% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Azerbaijan in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the geographical pattern of imports in volume terms showed a strong dependence on Iran, which absorbed 97.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Azerbaijan in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Azerbaijan's imports of cucumbers and gherkins increased for the second consecutive year in 2021. Import value registered 1 884 thousand US dollars, up by 60.3% over the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 5.3%, averaging an annual decline of 1.8%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 1 125 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline in 2019, a 43.5% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Azerbaijan in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018-2021, Iran dominated the country structure of imports in value terms, with a share of 96.4% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Azerbaijan in value, 2018-2021