Cucumbers and gherkins market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the MENA cucumbers and gherkins market volume increased from 2 332 thousand tons to a peak of 2 617 thousand tons in 2020, then contracted to 2 343 thousand tons by 2023. In value terms, the market showed volatility, rising to $5 879 million in 2021 before a sharp drop to $3 604 million in 2023, indicating significant price fluctuations alongside volume changes.

In 2024, import volume decreased to 19 thousand tons while exports rose to 81 thousand tons. The region experienced notable IPO activity and an accelerated digital transformation, with expanded use of electronic payments and e-commerce platforms, factors that may reshape distribution channels and consumer access to fresh produce like cucumbers and gherkins.

Production cucumbers and gherkins in MENA

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 the MENA region has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 2,664 thousand tons, marking a 1.2% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 8.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2,418 thousand tons, with the largest decline that year at 1.6%. In contrast, the biggest increase occurred in 2019, with an 8.8% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of cucumber and gherkin production in the MENA region has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 2,159 million US dollars, showing a modest 4.9% gain compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 11.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in MENA in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from MENA

Exports in kind, K t

Cucumber and gherkin export volumes from the MENA region fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 88.3 thousand tons, down 39.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports dropped by 48.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -20.0%. The peak was in 2018 at 182.9 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase that year at 5.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, cucumber and gherkin exports from the MENA region were spread across many partner countries. Russia accounted for 12.0% of exports, Spain for 1.8%, and Afghanistan for 1.4%, together making up just 15.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Cucumber and gherkin export values in the MENA region declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 71.6 million US dollars, a sharp 36.8% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export values fell by 47.3%, with a CAGR of -19.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 153.6 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase that year at 13.1%.

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

The market base for cucumber and gherkin exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was broad. Russia represented 10.7% of export value, Spain 2.9%, and Afghanistan 1.2%, together accounting for only 14.8% of total flows. The remaining 85.2% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports cucumbers and gherkins to MENA

Imports in kind, K t

Cucumber and gherkin import volumes in the MENA region decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 40.9 thousand tons, a significant 40.4% drop from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 45%, with a CAGR of -18.0%. The maximum volume was in 2018 at 96.9 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase that year at 30.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India and Turkey were the main suppliers of cucumbers and gherkins to the MENA region, together comprising 3.3% of total imports in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Cucumber and gherkin import values in the MENA region declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 54.4 million US dollars, a 33.2% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import values dropped by 35%, with a CAGR of -13.4%. The peak value was in 2018 at 111.6 million US dollars, which also recorded the largest increase that year at 33.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, Turkey, and the Netherlands were the largest suppliers of cucumbers and gherkins to the MENA region in value terms. India accounted for 6.4% of imports, Turkey for 2.4%, and the Netherlands for 1.6%, together making up 10.3% of total import value.

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

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