Cucumbers and gherkins market in Lithuania

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Lithuanian cucumber market saw notable shifts. Strong consumer demand, with 53% of respondents naming cucumbers a favorite vegetable, provided a stable foundation. In 2019, market volume jumped to 31 888 t, as Lithuania's rise to become the EU's seventh cucumber grower coincided with higher imports to offset limited domestic production. The following year, however, despite advances in greenhouse technology that extended the growing season, infrastructure constraints contributed to a drop in production, pulling the market size down to 28 078 t.

Recovery came in 2021, with the market reaching 33 465 t, supported by a growing trend of home pickling and marinating that boosted seasonal consumption. Regulatory changes then began to shape the industry. In 2022, new state quality standards for preserved cucumbers, including pH and size limits, altered manufacturing practices, accompanying a slight market contraction to 32 536 t. The 2023 implementation of mandatory quality and labeling rules led to increased certification costs and price adjustments, yet the market volume still grew to 33 214 t.

More recently, supply-side factors came to the fore. In 2024, shortages of local short cucumbers, linked to weather and a shorter growing season, drove retail prices up to around €10 per kilogram, while municipal-backed cucumber festivals stimulated seasonal demand. For 2025, updated EU and national labeling requirements for preserved cucumbers took effect, a GMO-free report reinforced consumer trust in local produce, and promotional campaigns by the Lithuanian Vegetable Growers Association aimed to enhance domestic availability and stabilize prices.

Production cucumbers and gherkins in Lithuania

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of cucumbers and gherkins, 2018-2021

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

In Lithuania, cucumber and gherkin production reached 22 980 tonnes in 2021, marking a 17.5% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 42.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.5%. The most significant growth occurred in 2019, with a 38.6% rise, while the largest decline was in 2020, at 12.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

The value of cucumber and gherkin output in Lithuania stood at 29 439 thousand US dollars in 2021, showing a sharp year-on-year increase of 44.7%. From 2018 to 2021, production value rose by 71.3%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 19.6%. The most notable drop was recorded in 2020, at 15.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from Lithuania

Exports in kind, t

Lithuania's exports of cucumbers and gherkins have declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, exports totaled 1 414 tonnes, representing a steep 32.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports fell by 68.3%, with an average annual decline of 31.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main destinations for Lithuania's cucumber and gherkin exports in volume terms were Latvia, accounting for 52.5% of exports, Estonia at 22.0%, and Poland with 11.4%. Together, these three countries made up 85.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Lithuania's cucumber and gherkin exports in value terms have decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 1 812 thousand US dollars, reflecting a notable 16.9% drop from the year before. Between 2018 and 2021, export value declined by 61.8%, with an average annual decrease of 27.5%.

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

During the 2018-2021 period, Latvia and Estonia were the leading destinations for Lithuania's cucumber and gherkin exports in value terms, together accounting for 81.9% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports cucumbers and gherkins to Lithuania

Imports in kind, t

Lithuania's imports of cucumbers and gherkins reached 11 899 tonnes in 2021, up by a strong 12.1% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 6.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 10 615 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 12 191 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2020, at 12.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the primary sources for Lithuania's cucumber and gherkin imports in volume terms were Poland, with a 40.8% share, Germany at 12.3%, and Spain at 12.1%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 65.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Lithuania's cucumber and gherkin imports rebounded in 2021. Import value reached 14 181 thousand US dollars, showing a 21.2% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 13%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.1%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 11 704 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline was in 2019, at 4.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the three main markets for Lithuania's cucumber and gherkin imports in value terms were Poland, Germany, and Spain, which together absorbed 64.8% of total imports.

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

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