Cucumbers and gherkins market in North Macedonia

Earlier Report Observations

The North Macedonian market for fresh or chilled cucumbers and gherkins contracted substantially between 2018 and 2023, with total volume falling from 49 thousand tons to 31 thousand tons. The most severe drop occurred in 2023, when the market shrank by over 30% compared to the previous year.

Market volume showed variability in the intervening years. After declining to 44 thousand tons in 2020, a recovery in 2021 lifted volume to 47 thousand tons. However, this upturn proved temporary as volume slipped again in 2022 before the sharp downturn in 2023.

Production cucumbers and gherkins in North Macedonia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cucumbers and gherkins, 2017-2020

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

North Macedonia's production of cucumbers and gherkins declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 49 112 tonnes, marking a modest decrease of 3.7% from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 4.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 54 314 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 5.4% occurring that same year. Conversely, the most significant drop was observed in 2019, when production decreased by 6.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in North Macedonia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from North Macedonia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, North Macedonia exported 9 892 tonnes of cucumbers and gherkins, representing a sharp increase of 27.3% compared to 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 14.6%, averaging an annual growth rate of 4.7%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 7 774 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 12.3% during the period.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Austria, and Bulgaria were key destinations for North Macedonia's cucumber and gherkin exports, accounting for 12.3%, 11.3%, and 11.2% of export volumes, respectively. However, their combined share made up only 34.9% of total exports, with the remaining 65.1% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Export volumes reached their peak in 2020 and hit their lowest point in 2017, with the peak value being 1.8 times higher than the trough. In 2020, North Macedonia exported cucumbers and gherkins worth 6 520 thousand US dollars, up by 72.6% from the previous year. The largest decline in export value was recorded in 2019, falling by 11.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, North Macedonia's export portfolio for cucumbers and gherkins was diverse. Austria, Germany, and Italy were significant buyers, contributing 14.7%, 14.2%, and 11.5% of total export value, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 40.3% of exports, while many other nations held smaller but notable shares.

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

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

Imports cucumbers and gherkins to North Macedonia

Imports in kind, t

North Macedonia's imports of cucumbers and gherkins increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 5 037 tonnes, reflecting a significant rise of 23.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 30%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.1%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 703 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 4.4% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Albania and Greece dominated North Macedonia's cucumber and gherkin imports, together making up 95.7% of total import volumes. Other partners played a supplementary role in the import structure.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, North Macedonia's imports of cucumbers and gherkins amounted to 2 217 thousand US dollars, showing an increase of 26.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 timeframe, import value rose by 40.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.1%. The largest decline in import value occurred in 2019, dropping by 5.8%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, North Macedonia's import structure in value terms was heavily concentrated on Albania, which accounted for 72.6% of total imports. Other partners contributed the remaining share.

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

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