Cucumbers and gherkins market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh cucumbers and gherkins in Northern Africa showed significant volatility between 2018 and 2023. It expanded sharply in 2019 to 1 098 thousand tons, then contracted in 2020 before recovering through 2021 and 2022 to a peak of 1 138 thousand tons. A subsequent decline brought the market volume to 1 047 thousand tons in 2023.

This movement was driven by changes in domestic production, which mirrored the market's fluctuations, while export volumes grew consistently from 12 to 24 thousand tons over the period. With imports remaining negligible, the available volume for local consumption was directly shaped by production and export dynamics.

Production cucumbers and gherkins in Northern Africa

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 Northern Africa saw a two-year period of growth before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 1 107 thousand tonnes, representing a significant 21.5% increase. However, by 2020, output had fallen to 981 thousand tonnes, marking a sharp 11.4% drop from the previous year. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production grew by 7.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of cucumber and gherkin production in Northern Africa showed notable fluctuations. In 2018, it hit its lowest point at 520.5 million US dollars, but rebounded strongly in 2019 to reach a peak of 660.8 million US dollars, a substantial 26.9% increase. By 2020, the value had declined to 544.0 million US dollars, representing a 17.7% decrease year-over-year. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 8.7%, averaging an annual decline of 3.0%.

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

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Exports of cucumbers and gherkins from Northern Africa demonstrated strong growth. In 2018, shipments peaked at 11 529 tonnes, reflecting a remarkable 58.3% increase. However, 2019 saw a decline to 9 340 tonnes, a 19.0% drop. By 2020, exports recovered to 10 665 tonnes, up 14.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 46.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain was the largest buyer of cucumbers and gherkins from Northern Africa, accounting for 50.4% of exports by volume. Mauritania followed with 23.9%, and France with 10.3%. Together, these three markets represented 84.6% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of cucumber and gherkin exports from Northern Africa followed a similar pattern. In 2018, it reached its highest point at 6 584 thousand US dollars, a 38.0% increase. The following year, 2019, saw a decline to 5 571 thousand US dollars, down 15.4%. By 2020, exports had risen to 5 917 thousand US dollars, a gradual 6.2% increase from 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 24%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.4%.

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

In value terms, Spain dominated as the main market for Northern African cucumber and gherkin exports from 2017 to 2020, representing 60.2% of total export value. France accounted for 9.3%, and Mauritania for 9.2%. Combined, these three markets made up 78.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports cucumbers and gherkins to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Imports of cucumbers and gherkins into Northern Africa showed significant volatility. In 2017, imports reached their highest level, but by 2019 they had fallen to a low of 48 tonnes, a 75.9% decline from the previous year, creating a 6.3-fold difference between the peak and trough. In 2020, imports rebounded sharply to 173 tonnes, marking a dramatic 260.4% increase compared to 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Senegal and Mauritania were the primary sources for cucumber and gherkin imports into Northern Africa, though their combined share was relatively small at just 1.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of cucumber and gherkin imports into Northern Africa exhibited considerable volatility. In 2017, import value peaked, but by 2019 it had fallen to a low of 48 thousand US dollars, a 77.6% decrease, resulting in a 6.5-fold difference between the highest and lowest points. In 2020, import value surged to approximately 172 thousand US dollars, representing a substantial 260.9% increase from the previous year.

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

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

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