Cucumbers and gherkins market in Cyprus

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the market for fresh cucumbers and gherkins in Cyprus reached 9.8 thousand tons, with domestic production at 9.7 thousand tons. High import duties of 141% restricted foreign competition, supporting local growers. Over the next three years, the market gradually contracted, falling to 8.3 thousand tons in 2019 and stabilizing around 8.2‑8.0 thousand tons through 2021.

The market declined further to 7.9 thousand tons in 2022, a period marked by sharp price increases for fresh vegetables—up to 169% in one month—due to higher production costs and supply‑chain pressures. At the same time, the Green Line Regulation facilitated cross‑island movement of agricultural goods, affecting supply conditions. By 2023, the market rebounded to 8.1 thousand tons, driven by a recovery in domestic output.

Production cucumbers and gherkins in Cyprus

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cucumbers and gherkins, 2017-2020

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

Cyprus's cucumber and gherkin production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 7 970 tonnes, marking a slight decrease of 1.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 9 660 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 16.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 16.3%.

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

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from Cyprus

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 0.4 tonnes, which represented a sharp year-on-year decrease of 95.5%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 8.1 tonnes, creating a 22-fold gap between these two years. The largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 101.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom and Germany were the primary markets for Cyprus's cucumber and gherkin exports in kind. The United Kingdom accounted for 63.9% of total flows, while Germany represented 35.9%, together making up 99.8% of all exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports hit a low in 2019, with Cyprus's cucumber and gherkin export value reaching 0.1 thousand US dollars, a 98.9% drop from the previous year. The peak was in 2018 at 10.9 thousand US dollars, showing a 94-fold amplitude between these years. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, rising by 23.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom was the nearly exclusive buyer of cucumbers and gherkins from Cyprus in value terms, accounting for 91.5% of total exports.

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

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

Imports cucumbers and gherkins to Cyprus

Imports in kind, t

Cucumber and gherkin imports into Cyprus increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume amounted to 293.4 tonnes, up 14.4% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 128.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 31.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, Greece dominated Cyprus's cucumber and gherkin imports in kind, concentrating 74.6% of total flows, while the remaining imports were distributed among multiple smaller partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 81.2 thousand US dollars, marking a decline of 40.2%. They then peaked in 2020 at 251.4 thousand US dollars, up 22.8% from the previous year, resulting in a 3.1-fold fluctuation between these years. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 152.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece was the primary source for Cyprus's cucumber and gherkin imports in value terms, accounting for 76.9% of total flows, with a fragmented mix of other markets making up the remainder.

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

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