Cucumbers and gherkins market in Belarus

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the Belarusian market for cucumbers and gherkins experienced a decline primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on consumer demand in 2020, following a minor reduction linked to a 1.5% contraction in sown areas across Eastern Europe in 2019. The market stabilized in 2021 at 181.6 thousand tons as ongoing greenhouse modernization and a shift in consumer preference toward small-piece varieties like gherkins provided underlying support.

A sharp 14.3% market expansion to 207.6 thousand tons occurred in 2022, driven by strengthened state price regulation for cucumbers and tomatoes and continued public support for domestic production through greenhouse upgrades. This growth trajectory was maintained in 2023, with the market volume reaching 208.7 thousand tons, supported by the implementation of a dedicated greenhouse development strategy and active contract signings with retail chains to secure supplies of domestic produce.

Production cucumbers and gherkins in Belarus

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Belarus ranked as the 21st largest global producer of cucumbers and gherkins.

Top producers of cucumbers and gherkins, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Belarus produced 217.0 thousand tons of cucumbers and gherkins, marking a 6.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 8.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.8%. The only year with growth was 2019, when production increased by 1.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Belarus saw its second consecutive year of growth in the value of cucumber and gherkin production. In 2020, output was valued at 171.4 million US dollars, a significant 14.3% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 12.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 142.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 6.5%.

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

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from Belarus

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Belarus exported 38 418 tons of cucumbers and gherkins, a 4.7% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 28.6%, averaging an annual decline of 10.6%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 37 403 tons, which also experienced the steepest decline of 30.5%. In contrast, 2019 saw an increase of 7.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, nearly all of Belarus's cucumber and gherkin exports in volume terms went to Russia, which accounted for 91.6% of the total.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Belarus experienced its second consecutive year of growth in the value of cucumber and gherkin exports. In 2020, exports were valued at 30 340 thousand US dollars, a 15.9% gain compared to 2019. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value decreased by 12.4%, with an average annual decline of 4.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 23 533 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest drop of 32.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia dominated Belarus's cucumber and gherkin exports in value terms, holding an 88.1% share of total flows, while the remainder was distributed among various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports cucumbers and gherkins to Belarus

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Belarus's imports of cucumbers and gherkins increased in 2020. The import volume reached 3 474 tons, a modest 3.7% rise from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 57.1%, averaging an annual decrease of 24.6%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 3 350 tons, which also recorded the largest decline of 39.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Russia, and Ukraine were the key partners for Belarus's cucumber and gherkin imports in volume terms, with shares of 40.3%, 16.9%, and 16.3%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 73.5% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Belarus's import value for cucumbers and gherkins declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 3 227 thousand US dollars, a 17.8% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value dropped by 64.7%, with an average annual decline of 29.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey, Ukraine, and Russia accounted for the largest shares of Belarus's cucumber and gherkin imports in value terms, with 43.7%, 14.1%, and 12.5%, respectively. Combined, they made up 70.3% of total imports.

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

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