Cucumbers and gherkins market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the market volume for fresh cucumbers and gherkins in Latin America and the Caribbean grew, reaching 920 K t in 2019. This increase was supported by the widespread adoption of contract farming for Persian cucumbers, which provided technical assistance from cultivation to harvest and ensured compliance with international quality and packaging standards, boosting production efficiency. Additionally, the highly export-oriented nature of the Mexican cucumber industry, with 70% of production destined for international markets—primarily the United States—stimulated output expansion.

In 2020 and 2021, market volume declined sharply, falling to 472 K t in 2021. This drop was largely driven by a substantial rise in exports, which jumped from 616 K t to 893 K t, while production edged down. The regional concentration of exports in states like Sinaloa, Sonora, and Baja California underscored the focus on external markets, limiting domestic availability.

During 2022 and 2023, the market stabilized in volume terms at around 480 K t, while in value terms it rose to 413 M $ US in 2023. Shifts in consumer preferences toward fresh and organic products, along with the adoption of healthier eating habits, bolstered domestic demand. Advances in sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices, including certification mechanisms and support for small producers, alongside growing demand for gourmet cucumbers in Brazil, influenced production toward higher-value segments.

Production cucumbers and gherkins in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cucumbers and gherkins, 2017-2020

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

Cucumber and gherkin production in Latin America and the Caribbean declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 1 506 thousand tonnes, but then fell by 2.5% to 1 469 thousand tonnes in 2020. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 11.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.8%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 8.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Cucumber and gherkin production in Latin America and the Caribbean increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the value of production reached 1 493 million US dollars, representing a 2.1% year-over-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 8%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, K t

Cucumber and gherkin exports from Latin America and the Caribbean increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume totaled 616.2 thousand tonnes, marking a 5.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 27.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in volume terms was highly concentrated, with the United States alone accounting for 96.5% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Cucumber and gherkin exports from Latin America and the Caribbean increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 626.4 million US dollars, representing a 9.9% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 22.7%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 7.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States played a dominant role in the value of cucumber and gherkin exports from Latin America and the Caribbean, consistently accounting for 98.6% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports cucumbers and gherkins to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year rise, cucumber and gherkin imports to Latin America and the Caribbean declined. In 2019, imports reached their lowest point at 0.7 thousand tonnes, but then increased by 65.9% to 1.2 thousand tonnes in 2020. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1.3 thousand tonnes. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 2.4%, with an average annual decline of 0.8%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when imports fell by 44.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States consistently held the leading position in cucumber and gherkin imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in volume terms, accounting for 3.9% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year rise, the value of cucumber and gherkin imports to Latin America and the Caribbean declined. In 2019, imports reached their peak at 2.1 million US dollars, but then fell by 15.7% to 1.8 million US dollars in 2020. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 8.1%, equating to an average annual decline of 2.8%. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, when imports rose by 8.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, two markets—the United States and the Netherlands—were the primary destinations for cucumber and gherkin imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value terms, together accounting for 47.1% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020