Cucumbers and gherkins market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh cucumbers and gherkins in East Asia experienced initial growth, with production volume rising from 68.6 million tons in 2018 to 71.3 million tons in 2019. This expansion was underpinned by Shandong Province's role as a leading vegetable production region, where protected cultivation areas exceeded 500,000 mu, ensuring robust supply. Concurrently, advancements in cucumber seed varieties and planting technology began to enhance yields.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains and altered consumer behavior, leading to a production dip to 68.6 million tons. However, the market's value continued climbing to $71.6 billion, supported by domestic policies promoting agricultural modernization and greenhouse cultivation technology, which boosted productivity and quality. By 2021, these measures helped production recover to 69.5 million tons, while the market value surged to $82.0 billion.

The market's value peaked at $91.6 billion in 2022, driven by consumer upgrades in the pickled cucumber segment, where innovative products like low-salt and probiotic varieties gained popularity. In 2023, the value adjusted to $82.2 billion as the industry adapted to international trade tensions, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Sino-U.S. trade frictions, with pickled cucumber producers strengthening their focus on the domestic market.

Production cucumbers and gherkins in Eastern 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

After two years of growth, cucumber and gherkin production in Eastern Asia declined. In 2019, production reached its peak at 71 327 thousand tons, but by 2020 it had fallen to 68 649 thousand tons, marking a moderate decrease of 3.8% from the previous year. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 4.0%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3.8%, which translates to an average annual rate of 1.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Cucumber and gherkin production in Eastern Asia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 71 688 million US dollars, showing a slight rise of 0.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%.

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

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, cucumber and gherkin exports from Eastern Asia declined. In 2019, exports peaked at 63 670 tons, but in 2020 they dropped to 46 072 tons, representing a significant decrease of 27.6% from the previous year. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2018 at 21.7%. From 2017 to 2020, exports overall increased by 2.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 0.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia and Kazakhstan were the main buyers of cucumbers and gherkins from Eastern Asia, together accounting for 35.0% of total exports in volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, cucumber and gherkin exports from Eastern Asia declined. In 2019, exports reached a high of 63 573 thousand US dollars, but in 2020 they fell to 48 111 thousand US dollars, indicating a substantial drop of 24.3% from the previous year. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 19.0%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 3.4%, with an average annual rate of 1.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan formed the core group of markets for cucumber and gherkin exports in value terms. Russia accounted for 43.1% of exports, Kazakhstan for 0.6%, and Kyrgyzstan for 0.5%, together representing 44.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports cucumbers and gherkins to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 6 117 tons, after peaking in 2018 at 14 158 tons, with a 2.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports decreased sharply by 53.3% compared to 2019. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2018 at 124.5%.

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

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market during these years. Import levels fluctuated, with a low in 2020 at 7 179 thousand US dollars and a high in 2018 at 15 703 thousand US dollars, showing a 2.2-fold variation. In 2020, imports declined steeply by 48.8% compared to 2019. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 110.9%.

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

The market base for imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was broad. Australia, Thailand, and New Zealand together accounted for just 5.2% of total flows, with Australia at 2.1%, Thailand at 1.7%, and New Zealand at 1.4%. The remaining 94.8% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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