Cucumbers and gherkins market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the physical volume of the fresh cucumber and gherkin market in Germany grew steadily, reaching 814 thousand tonnes in 2021. Market value followed a similar upward trajectory overall, despite a temporary dip in 2019 to 743 million USD. A notable shift occurred in 2022 when the market volume contracted by over 8% to 745 thousand tonnes, while its value continued to rise to 953 million USD, indicating a significant increase in average prices.

The market rebounded strongly in 2023, with volume expanding by 11% to 829 thousand tonnes and value surpassing 1 billion USD. This growth was supported by substantial imports, with Spain and the Netherlands being the dominant suppliers, accounting for a significant portion of the over 600 thousand tonnes imported that year. Furthermore, the market was characterized by a price differential, where greenhouse cucumbers consistently commanded higher sales prices than field-grown ones, reflecting differing production costs and market segments.

Looking at 2024, several factors were shaping the market environment. High energy costs led to reduced domestic production of greenhouse cucumbers, constraining supply. Simultaneously, rising freight costs affected the logistics of importing fresh produce. On the demand side, a social media trend boosted cucumber sales, and a broader consumer shift towards vegan and vegetarian diets continued to support demand for fresh vegetables like cucumbers.

Production cucumbers and gherkins in Germany

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Germany was among the world's leading producers of cucumbers and gherkins from 2017 to 2020, ranking 19th globally by production volume.

Top producers of cucumbers and gherkins, 2017-2020

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

Germany's production of cucumbers and gherkins declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 217.0 thousand tons, marking a significant decrease of 13.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 15.5%, with an annualized decline rate of 5.4%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 267.6 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 4.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production value of cucumbers and gherkins also declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 159.0 million US dollars, showing a modest decrease of 5.6% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value dropped by 4.2%, with an annualized decline of 1.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 182.9 million US dollars, which experienced the largest increase of 10.2%, while 2019 saw the largest decline of 7.9%.

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

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Germany's export volumes of cucumbers and gherkins declined. In 2020, the country exported 31.8 thousand tons, reflecting a substantial decrease of 22.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 10.1%, with an annualized decline rate of 3.5%. The peak was in 2019 at 40.9 thousand tons, while 2018 recorded the largest increase of 12.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Germany's exports of cucumbers and gherkins in volume terms were Czechia (28.5% of exports), the Netherlands (22.5%), and Austria (14.8%). Together, these three countries accounted for 65.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of gains, Germany's exports of cucumbers and gherkins in value terms declined. In 2020, exports stood at 23.3 million US dollars, showing a robust drop of 15.7% compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 27.6 million US dollars, with 2018 experiencing the largest increase of 18.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for Germany's exports of cucumbers and gherkins in value terms were Austria (24.7% of exports), Czechia (18.7%), and the Netherlands (17.0%). Collectively, these three countries represented 60.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports cucumbers and gherkins to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's import volumes of cucumbers and gherkins increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 595.6 thousand tons, reflecting an improvement of 11.3% over 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 22.4%, with an annualized growth rate of 7.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands and Spain together accounted for 85.8% of Germany's total imports of cucumbers and gherkins in volume terms, with other countries forming a more diversified but less significant portion.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's import value of cucumbers and gherkins stood at 696.1 million US dollars, constituting a robust rise of 15.6% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 23%, with an annualized growth rate of 7.1%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 6.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Spain and the Netherlands clearly dominated Germany's imports of cucumbers and gherkins in value terms, jointly accounting for 90.7% of total flows, while other countries held much smaller shares.

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

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