Cucumbers and gherkins market in GCC

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh or chilled cucumbers and gherkins in the GCC countries grew substantially from 367.3 thousand tons in 2018 to 537.2 thousand tons in 2023, an increase of 46%. This growth was primarily driven by a sharp 31% expansion in 2020, when the market reached 503.8 thousand tons. After a minor correction of 1% in 2021, the market resumed its upward trend, adding a further 4% in 2022 and 2023.

Domestic production was the main contributor to this expansion, rising from 339.1 thousand tons to 503.5 thousand tons over the same period. Imports provided a stable supplementary supply, ranging between 28.5 and 37.0 thousand tons annually.

In 2024, the broader agricultural sector in the GCC saw continued progress, with total plant production increasing by 3.9%. This was supported by ongoing economic diversification policies and increased investment in non-oil sectors like agriculture. Furthermore, the growing demand for high-quality fresh produce spurred advancements in cold-chain logistics, while the expansion of the GCC common market facilitated the smoother flow of goods between member states, supporting the distribution of fresh agricultural products.

Production cucumbers and gherkins in GCC

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cucumbers and gherkins, 2017-2020

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

GCC's production of cucumbers and gherkins has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 473.5 thousand tons, marking a significant 32.9% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 51.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 14.7%.

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

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from GCC

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports varied widely, with a 15-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2018. In 2020, GCC exported 698 tons of cucumbers and gherkins, representing a sharp 47.0% decline compared to 2019. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 291 tons. The largest decrease occurred in 2018, with a drop of 93.4%, while the biggest increase was in 2019, with a surge of 352.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Iraq, Afghanistan, and the United States—collectively accounted for 10.5% of GCC's total cucumber and gherkin exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

GCC's exports of cucumbers and gherkins in value terms have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 991 thousand US dollars, reflecting a steep 40.3% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 74.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -36.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Afghanistan (10.9% of exports in value), Iraq (9.2%), and the United States (4.3%) remained the top destinations in GCC's export structure by value, together making up 24.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports cucumbers and gherkins to GCC

Imports in kind, t

GCC's imports of cucumbers and gherkins have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 30 991 tons, up 5.9% year-on-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 115.2%, with an average annual rate of 29.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, Iran (43.7% of imports in volume), Jordan (14.1%), and India (12.6%) were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of cucumber and gherkin imports to GCC, collectively representing 70.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

GCC's imports of cucumbers and gherkins in value terms have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 18 937 thousand US dollars, which is 3.8% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 24.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 7.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India (30.1% of imports in value), Iran (18.6%), and Jordan (12.7%) played leading roles in GCC's import structure by value, jointly accounting for 61.5% of total flows.

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

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