Cucumbers and gherkins market in Kyrgyzstan

Earlier Report Observations

The cucumber and gherkin market in Kyrgyzstan expanded from 122.4 thousand tons in 2018 to 137.0 thousand tons in 2019, supported by the country's high degree of self-sufficiency in vegetables and a strong agricultural sector employing a large share of the workforce. However, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global supply chains, causing a sharp drop in imports and a contraction of the market to 132.7 thousand tons, while domestic production stabilized around 129 thousand tons.

From 2021, regional trade patterns shifted as Uzbekistan began playing a larger role in supplying cucumbers to Kyrgyzstan. This increased import dependency contributed to market growth, with imports reaching 6.9 thousand tons in 2021 and helping lift the total market volume to 135.9 thousand tons. By 2023, Uzbekistan had become the main supplier, with imports rising to support a market size of 135.5 thousand tons, reflecting a growing reliance on neighboring countries despite fluctuations in domestic output.

The trend of rising imports from Uzbekistan continued into 2024 and 2025, with a 12% increase in import volumes reported for 2025, further underscoring Kyrgyzstan's increasing dependence on external sources to meet domestic demand for cucumbers and gherkins.

Production cucumbers and gherkins in Kyrgyzstan

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of cucumbers and gherkins, 2018-2021

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

In 2021, Kyrgyzstan produced 129.2 thousand tons of cucumbers and gherkins, showing minimal change compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production increased by 8%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 130.0 thousand tons, which represented an 8.7% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a decrease of 0.7%.

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

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from Kyrgyzstan

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 27 tons, while the highest was in 2021 at 137 tons, representing a fivefold difference between these years. In 2021, Kyrgyzstan's exports of cucumbers and gherkins increased by 402.7% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a decrease of 50.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kyrgyzstan in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Kazakhstan and Russia formed a highly concentrated pair of markets for Kyrgyzstan's cucumber and gherkin exports in kind, together accounting for 99.7% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. The lowest export value was recorded in 2020 at 24 thousand US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2021 at 101 thousand US dollars, showing a 4.1-fold difference. In 2021, Kyrgyzstan's exports of cucumbers and gherkins increased by 313.1% compared to 2020. The largest decline was in 2020, with a decrease of 57.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Kazakhstan and Russia remained the dominant destinations for Kyrgyzstan's cucumber and gherkin exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 99.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports cucumbers and gherkins to Kyrgyzstan

Imports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018, while the highest was in 2019 at 7 002 tons, representing a 2.4-fold gap between these years. In 2021, Kyrgyzstan imported 6 862 tons of cucumbers and gherkins, reflecting a sharp increase of 88.6% compared to the prior year. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a decrease of 48.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 136.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kyrgyzstan in kind, 2018-2021, t

Throughout 2018 to 2021, two countries—Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan—concentrated most of Kyrgyzstan's cucumber and gherkin imports in kind, with other markets playing a less significant role individually.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. The lowest import value was recorded in 2020 at 1 708 thousand US dollars, while the peak was in 2019 at 3 766 thousand US dollars, showing a 2.2-fold difference. In 2021, Kyrgyzstan's import volume totaled 3 002 thousand US dollars, indicating a gain of 75.8% year-over-year. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a decrease of 54.7%, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 90.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan acted as the dominant destinations for Kyrgyzstan's cucumber and gherkin imports in value terms, jointly taking 88.2% of total flows and leaving the remaining share to other markets.

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

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