Cucumbers and gherkins market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the volume of the Belgian fresh cucumber market demonstrated consistent growth, expanding from 43 084 tonnes to 62 269 tonnes. This represented an overall increase of 44.5%, with the most pronounced acceleration occurring in 2022 and 2023. In contrast, the market's value in monetary terms exhibited greater volatility, declining in 2019 before peaking at 63.7 million US dollars in 2022 and then falling again the following year.

The market's growth in 2022, which saw volume rise by 9% to 53 521 tonnes and value surge by 33% to 63.7 million US dollars, was influenced by two key developments. First, the increasing market share of hard discounters in fresh produce sales, which reached 18.8% in 2022, made cucumbers more accessible and stimulated volume demand. Second, rising prices for agricultural raw materials and energy, exacerbated by the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, drove up production costs and consumer prices, significantly inflating the market's monetary value.

In 2023, the market's physical expansion continued strongly, with volume climbing a further 16% to reach 62 269 tonnes. However, the market's value contracted by 9% to 58.2 million US dollars. This divergence indicates a decrease in average prices, likely reflecting a post-inflationary adjustment or a shift in consumer purchasing patterns toward more economical offerings within the category.

Production cucumbers and gherkins in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cucumbers and gherkins, 2017-2020

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

Belgium's production of cucumbers and gherkins increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 27 600 tonnes, remaining relatively stable compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 8.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.6%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 24 490 tonnes, marking the largest decline of 4.1% during this period. Conversely, the most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 12.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the output value of cucumbers and gherkins in Belgium reached 27 184 thousand US dollars, reflecting a substantial increase of 17.6% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 27.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.5%. The largest decline in value was observed in 2019, dropping by 2.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Belgium in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from Belgium

Exports in kind, t

Belgium's export volume of cucumbers and gherkins declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 46 896 tonnes, showing a modest decrease of 7.0% compared to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 28.2%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 10.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands and Germany were the dominant destinations for Belgium's exports in kind, jointly accounting for 80.2% of total flows, with the remaining share distributed among other markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, Belgium's export value of cucumbers and gherkins increased. In 2020, exports totaled 46 189 thousand US dollars, reflecting an 8.8% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value decreased by 15.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 42 455 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 16.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and France were the leading destinations for Belgium's exports in value terms, with shares of 41.7%, 34.0%, and 18.1%, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 93.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports cucumbers and gherkins to Belgium

Imports in kind, t

Belgium's import volume of cucumbers and gherkins declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 67 314 tonnes, corresponding to a slight decrease of 2.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 25.6%, with a compound annual decline rate of 9.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands was the key supplier of cucumbers and gherkins to Belgium, accounting for 84.7% of total imports in kind, while a diverse group of other countries made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Belgium imported approximately 59 527 thousand US dollars worth of cucumbers and gherkins, showing an uptick of 9.5% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 10.2%, with a compound annual decline rate of 3.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 54 364 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 18.3%. In contrast, the highest value was in 2018 at 66 535 thousand US dollars.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands remained the dominant partner for Belgium's imports in value terms, holding a share of 73.6% of total flows, while other markets constituted a long tail.

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

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