Cucumbers and gherkins market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh cucumbers and gherkins in Greece started the period at 115 thousand tons in 2018, supported by growing demand for healthy products, the emergence of new segments such as organic cucumbers, and the strengthened presence of new players with innovations in cultivation and packaging. However, the volume fell to 110.5 thousand tons the following year due to tightening environmental standards and new packaging requirements. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 reversed the trend, boosting demand for packaged and pre-cut cucumbers and lifting the market to 121.2 thousand tons.

After the pandemic peak, the market entered a downward phase. By 2021, volume dropped to 106.2 thousand tons amid the introduction of stricter labeling and traceability rules, despite investments in new production facilities such as Eurocatering (Freskoulis) plants. The inflationary surge and rising prices for fresh vegetables in 2022, along with economic pressure on consumers, reduced the volume to 91.8 thousand tons. This trend continued in 2023, when the market reached 56.8 thousand tons, reflecting the cumulative impact of high production costs and restrained demand.

Production cucumbers and gherkins in Greece

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cucumbers and gherkins, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Greece produced 158.5 thousand tonnes of cucumbers and gherkins, marking a 5.9% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 11.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.7%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 3.7%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 9.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Greece's cucumber and gherkin production saw an upturn. In 2020, the output was valued at 133.6 million US dollars, reflecting a substantial improvement of 21.3% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, however, production decreased by 4.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 110.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 16.4%.

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

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from Greece

Exports in kind, t

Greece's export volume of cucumbers and gherkins declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totalled 37 827 tonnes, showing a decrease of 5.5% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 10.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.4%. The peak was reached in 2018 at 41 594 tonnes, which also recorded the largest increase of 21.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria, Germany, and Romania were the core destinations for Greece's cucumber and gherkin exports in volume terms. Bulgaria accounted for 36.7% of exports, Germany for 15.0%, and Romania for 13.3%, together making up 64.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Greece exported cucumbers and gherkins worth 31 889 thousand US dollars, representing a moderate increase of 8.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 5.2%, with an annualized decline rate of 1.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 29 441 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 35 240 thousand US dollars. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decline of 16.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Romania, and Poland consistently served as the main destinations for Greece's cucumber and gherkin exports in value terms. Germany held a 21.6% share, Romania 15.5%, and Poland 14.7%, collectively accounting for 51.8% of total export value.

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

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

Imports cucumbers and gherkins to Greece

Imports in kind, t

Greece's imports of cucumbers and gherkins declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 476 tonnes, down by 34.4% year-on-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 55.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -23.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany, North Macedonia, and Albania formed the core sources for Greece's cucumber and gherkin imports in volume terms. Germany contributed 33.1% of imports, North Macedonia 26.3%, and Albania 16.9%, together representing 76.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of cucumbers and gherkins into Greece declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totalled 261 thousand US dollars, which is 47.5% less than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 48.4%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 19.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 640 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 26.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, North Macedonia, and Turkey were the main markets for Greece's cucumber and gherkin imports in value terms. Germany accounted for 37.6% of imports, North Macedonia and Turkey each for 20.3%, with a combined share of 78.3% of total import flows.

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

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