Cucumbers and gherkins market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled cucumbers and gherkins in Central Asia grew from approximately 1.67 million tons in 2018 to around 1.89 million tons by 2023. This expansion was initially supported by the entry of new market players, stimulated by rising import volumes, alongside the emergence of new product segments such as fresh and chilled varieties, which broadened consumer choice.

A slight contraction occurred in 2020, influenced indirectly by a significant drop in sales within the Russian market, a key regional counterpart. The market rebounded strongly in 2021, primarily due to the commissioning of new large-scale production complexes in the region, which substantially increased domestic output and pushed the market size above 1.85 million tons.

Growth stabilized in 2022 amid disruptions to international logistic chains, a global factor that affected trade flows. A moderate increase resumed in 2023, supported by continued growth in imports, particularly from Uzbekistan into Kyrgyzstan. Into 2024, the trend of rising imports persisted, with shipments from Uzbekistan to Kyrgyzstan increasing by 7%.

Production cucumbers and gherkins in Central 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

Central Asia's production of cucumbers and gherkins grew for two consecutive years before declining. In 2019, output reached its peak at 1 751 thousand tonnes, but by 2020 it had fallen slightly to 1 724 thousand tonnes, representing a 1.5% decrease. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 11%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.5%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 8.3%.

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

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from Central Asia

Exports in kind, t

Exports of cucumbers and gherkins from Central Asia saw a sharp increase in 2020, reaching 17 047 tonnes—a 60.3% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 51%, averaging an annual growth rate of 14.7%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 17 740 tonnes, while the lowest was in 2019 at 10 634 tonnes. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, when exports dropped by 40.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia was the primary destination for Central Asia's cucumber and gherkin exports, accounting for 52.6% of total export volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, the value of cucumber and gherkin exports from Central Asia declined. In 2019, exports peaked at 19 531 thousand US dollars, but by 2020 they had fallen to 9 819 thousand US dollars—a decrease of 49.7%. Over the 2017–2020 period, export value decreased by 2.4%, with an average annual decline of 0.8%. The largest year-on-year increase was in 2018, when export value rose by 43.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia remained the leading buyer of cucumbers and gherkins from Central Asia in value terms, accounting for 47.8% of total export value.

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

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

Imports cucumbers and gherkins to Central Asia

Imports in kind, t

Imports of cucumbers and gherkins into Central Asia fell to 5 754 tonnes in 2020, marking a 42.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports declined by 43.9%, with an average annual decrease of 17.5%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, when imports rose by 63.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources of cucumber and gherkin imports to Central Asia by volume were China (18.9% of imports), Iran (9.3%), and Russia (2.7%). Together, these three countries accounted for 31.0% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of cucumber and gherkin imports into Central Asia declined. In 2019, import value reached its highest point at 9 807 thousand US dollars, but by 2020 it had dropped to 8 166 thousand US dollars—a decline of 16.7%. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2018, when import value rose by 13.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the leading sources of cucumber and gherkin imports to Central Asia by value were China (23.2% of import value), Iran (14.4%), and Pakistan (2.1%). Collectively, these three countries accounted for 39.6% of total import value.

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

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