Cucumbers and gherkins market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for cucumbers and gherkins in Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, expanded and then stabilized, supported by continued state subsidies and preferential investment loans for greenhouse vegetable farming in Russia. This government backing encouraged production growth, helping the market reach 3.9 million tons. However, in 2020, consumer demand shifted and the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains, leading to a slight market contraction.

The market entered a period of decline from 2021 to 2022, with volume falling by over 7% to 3.6 million tons. A key driver was a sharp 70% increase in exports of fresh cucumbers during 2021, which redirected a significant portion of domestic supply abroad. Subsequently, market saturation became evident as production began to exceed consumption in multiple regions, leading to a reduction in overall output and market size.

A partial recovery occurred in 2023, with market volume rising to 3.7 million tons. This turnaround was facilitated by the expansion of regional greenhouse complexes, like the Sayuri facility in Yakutia, and the introduction of new hybrid varieties such as 'Kurazh,' which broadened the product range and stimulated production.

Production cucumbers and gherkins in Eastern Europe (including Northern 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

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has seen its production of cucumbers and gherkins grow for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 3 724 thousand tonnes, marking a 0.8% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 5.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of cucumber and gherkin output in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) reached 4 601 million US dollars, showing a robust 17.2% gain compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 31.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.4%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when it fell by 4.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of cucumbers and gherkins from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume hit 90.2 thousand tonnes, reflecting a strong 11.0% year-over-year uptick. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 3.2%, with an average annual rate of 1.1%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 75.5 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 13.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Lithuania, and Estonia were among the top buyers of cucumbers and gherkins from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), accounting for 19.3%, 3.1%, and 1.4% of exports in kind, respectively. However, even combined, they represented just 23.7% of total exports, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of cucumber and gherkin exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 111.5 million US dollars, equivalent to a sharp 29.0% advance year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 27.8%, with an annualized rate of 8.5%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 84.9 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 2.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms of cucumbers and gherkins from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were spread across numerous markets. Germany, Lithuania, and Latvia accounted for 19.0%, 4.6%, and 2.1% of exports in value terms, respectively, but together they made up only 25.7% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports cucumbers and gherkins to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of cucumbers and gherkins into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume stood at 294.8 thousand tonnes, down by 8.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 6.5%, with an average annual decline of 2.2%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 329.1 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 4.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, imports in kind of cucumbers and gherkins to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were widely dispersed across partner countries. Spain, Turkey, and Germany contributed 23.7%, 11.3%, and 9.9% of imports in kind, respectively, but together they represented only 44.9% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of cucumbers and gherkins into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) have fallen for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 299.1 million US dollars, down by 6.6% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 10.3%, equating to an annualized decline of 3.6%. The highest value was in 2018 at 347.0 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 4.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 7.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the partner portfolio for imports in value terms of cucumbers and gherkins to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was quite broad. Spain, Iran, and Turkey accounted for 25.4%, 11.8%, and 10.8% of imports in value terms, respectively, but together they made up only 48.0% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020