Cucumbers and gherkins market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the market volume for fresh cucumbers and gherkins in Lebanon showed notable fluctuations. Starting at 117.5 thousand tonnes in 2018, it rose to 128.0 thousand tonnes in 2019, stabilized around 124.8 thousand tonnes in 2020 and 2021, then surged by 18.9% to a peak of 148.4 thousand tonnes in 2022. Imports and exports remained minimal throughout the period, so domestic production was the primary driver of market size.

The market contracted by 12.4% to 130.0 thousand tonnes in 2023. This decline was driven by Lebanon's acute economic crisis, characterized by high inflation and severely reduced consumer purchasing power, which dampened domestic consumption and disrupted distribution channels. Concurrently, export value fell by 65% and import value by 19.5%, reflecting weaker overall market activity and competitiveness.

Production cucumbers and gherkins in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cucumbers and gherkins, 2017-2020

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

Lebanon's production of cucumbers and gherkins declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 122.9 K t, which was 3.9% lower than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 11.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.7%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 127.9 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 8.6%.

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

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Lebanon exported 244 t of cucumbers and gherkins, marking a 4.3% increase from the previous year. However, between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 29.8%, averaging an annual decline of 11.1%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 234 t, while the highest was in 2018 at 410 t. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 43.0%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 18.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait were consistently the main destinations for Lebanon's cucumber and gherkin exports in kind. The UAE accounted for 31.4% of exports, Qatar for 26.9%, and Kuwait for 11.9%, together making up 70.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Lebanon's cucumber and gherkin exports in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 411 K $ US, down 3.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 6.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 441 K $ US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 14.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and France formed the key group of partners for Lebanon's cucumber and gherkin exports in value terms. The UAE contributed 33.3% of export value, Qatar 26.1%, and France 9.9%, collectively representing 69.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports cucumbers and gherkins to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

The import market for cucumbers and gherkins in Lebanon showed significant volatility during these years. In 2020, imports reached 2 130 t, a sharp increase of 550.9% compared to 2019. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 96 t, which also saw the largest annual decline of 93.9%. From the low in 2018 to the high in 2020, import volumes varied by a factor of 22.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Syria remained the overwhelmingly dominant supplier of cucumbers and gherkins to Lebanon, accounting for 98.5% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Lebanon's cucumber and gherkin imports in value terms exhibited an unstable trend over this period. In 2020, imports stood at 1 139 K $ US, surging by 551.7% from the previous year. The lowest value was in 2018 at 114 K $ US, which also experienced the largest annual decline of 93.6%. From the peak in 2017 to the trough in 2018, imports changed by a factor of 16.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Syria remained the almost exclusive supplier of cucumbers and gherkins to Lebanon in value terms, with a share of 98.9% of total imports.

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

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