Cucumbers and gherkins market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh cucumbers and gherkins in Bulgaria declined from 95 thousand tons in 2018 to 69 thousand tons in 2020. This reduction was partly driven by a long-term decrease in land allocated for gherkins, which constrained production. Although the area under cucumbers was expanded to 1,425 hectares by 2019, overall output continued to fall.

After 2020, the market gradually recovered, reaching 74 thousand tons in 2023. However, production remained below pre‑crisis levels due to difficulties in winter cultivation caused by rising fuel and energy prices, which forced some growers to scale down. At the same time, the first domestic greenhouse cucumbers from the Plovdiv region entered the market in 2022, adding to local supply. The market is characterized by high import dependence: in 2023, domestic produce covered about 64% of consumption, while imports of gherkins rose significantly. Shifts in consumer preferences and the dominance of imported products continued to shape the market structure.

In value terms, the market showed a stronger rebound, climbing to $87 million in 2023 from $62 million in 2020, reflecting price movements and the influence of regional pricing, such as dependence on Greek market prices.

Production cucumbers and gherkins in Bulgaria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cucumbers and gherkins, 2017-2020

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

Bulgaria's cucumber and gherkin production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 53 630 tons, marking a significant 26.5% drop from 2019. Production peaked in 2018 at 74 350 tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 36.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two years of growth, Bulgaria's cucumber and gherkin production value fell in 2020. Output was valued at 63 665 thousand US dollars, down 26.6% from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 86 679 thousand US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value rose by 5.8%, averaging 1.9% per year, with the largest annual increase of 41.3% occurring in 2018.

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

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

Bulgaria's cucumber and gherkin exports grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 13 662 tons, a sharp 47.4% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 131.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 32.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Romania, and Poland were the top markets for Bulgaria's cucumber and gherkin exports by volume. Germany accounted for 30.6% of exports, Romania for 29.5%, and Poland for 18.0%. Together, these three countries represented 78.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Bulgaria's cucumber and gherkin export value increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 16 218 thousand US dollars, up 47.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value jumped by 148.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 35.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Romania, and Poland were the leading destinations for Bulgaria's cucumber and gherkin exports by value. Germany made up 42.2% of export value, Romania 29.1%, and Poland 13.0%. Combined, these three markets accounted for 84.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports cucumbers and gherkins to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

Bulgaria's cucumber and gherkin imports rose to 28 941 tons in 2020, up 17.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 42.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.4%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 29 484 tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 44.7%. In 2019, imports fell by 16.7%, marking the largest decline during this period.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece and Turkey dominated Bulgaria's cucumber and gherkin imports by volume, together accounting for 81.2% of total flows. Other countries contributed smaller shares individually.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Bulgaria's cucumber and gherkin import value amounted to 14 908 thousand US dollars in 2020, rising 25.3% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 66.7%, averaging 18.6% per year. The largest annual increase of 50.6% occurred in 2018, while the largest decline of 11.6% was in 2019.

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

During 2017-2020, Turkey, Greece, and Germany were the primary sources for Bulgaria's cucumber and gherkin imports by value. Turkey accounted for 51.1% of import value, Greece for 25.5%, and Germany for 12.1%. Together, these three countries represented 88.7% of total import flows.

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

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