Cucumbers and gherkins market in Japan

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the production volume of fresh cucumbers in Japan exhibited a gradual overall decline with intermittent fluctuations. The market started at 550 тыс. т in 2018 and saw minor reductions in 2019 and 2020, reaching 539.2 тыс. т. A recovery followed in 2021, lifting output to 551.3 тыс. т, near the initial level.

After the 2021 rebound, production softened again over the next two years, falling to 548.6 тыс. т in 2022 and then to 530.2 тыс. т in 2023. The total decrease across the period amounted to approximately 19.8 тыс. т, with the most noticeable single-year contraction of 3.4% occurring in 2023.

Production cucumbers and gherkins in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Japan maintained the 11th position globally in terms of cucumber and gherkin production volume.

Top producers of cucumbers and gherkins, 2018-2021

World map of production of cucumbers and gherkins, 2018-2021

After two consecutive years of decline, cucumber and gherkin production in Japan rebounded in 2021. The country produced 551.3 thousand tonnes that year, representing a 2.2% increase compared to the previous year. Production had reached its lowest point in 2020 at 539.2 thousand tonnes, which marked a 1.6% decrease from 2019 levels.

Annual dynamics of production in Japan in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from Japan

Exports in kind, kg

The export market for cucumbers and gherkins showed significant volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their minimum in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with an 18-fold difference between these two years. In 2021, Japan exported 985 kilograms, which was a substantial 92.5% decrease from the previous year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2020 at 13 190 kilograms, representing a remarkable 1 706.8% increase from 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in kind, 2018-2021, kg

Between 2018 and 2021, Singapore was the dominant destination for Japan's cucumber and gherkin exports in volume terms, accounting for 78.2% of total shipments. The remaining share was distributed among several smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Japan in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values showed noticeable fluctuations throughout the period. The lowest value was recorded in 2019, while the highest occurred in 2020, creating a 9.7-fold gap between these years. In 2021, Japan's cucumber and gherkin exports amounted to 6.6 thousand US dollars, representing an 89.0% decrease from the previous year. The peak value was reached in 2020 at 60.3 thousand US dollars, which marked an 869.2% increase from 2019 levels.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Singapore and Hong Kong together accounted for 97.4% of Japan's total cucumber and gherkin export value, indicating a highly concentrated market with numerous smaller players making up the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Japan in value, 2018-2021

Imports cucumbers and gherkins to Japan

Imports in kind, kg

Import volumes exhibited considerable fluctuations during this period. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018, while imports peaked in 2020, showing a 2.9-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Japan imported 14 992 kilograms of cucumbers and gherkins, representing a 61.0% decrease from the previous year. The maximum import volume was reached in 2020 at 38 463 kilograms, following a 176.3% increase in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in kind, 2018-2021, kg

Between 2018 and 2021, South Korea (59.3% of import volume), the United States (19.2%), and Canada (7.8%) consistently led Japan's cucumber and gherkin import sources. Together, these three countries accounted for 86.4% of total import volumes during this period.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Japan in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values demonstrated volatility throughout these years. The lowest value was recorded in 2018, while imports reached their peak in 2019, showing a 1.8-fold difference between these two years. In 2021, Japan's cucumber and gherkin imports totaled 102.0 thousand US dollars, marking a 23.0% year-over-year decline. The maximum value was achieved in 2019 at 138.0 thousand US dollars, following an 83.9% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, South Korea (40.2% of import value), the United States (30.4%), and Australia (12.6%) were Japan's primary suppliers of cucumbers and gherkins in value terms. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 83.1% of Japan's total import value during this period.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Japan in value, 2018-2021