Cucumbers and gherkins market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market for fresh cucumbers in Northern Europe expanded from 480 800 t to 521 800 t. High innovation activity, where 74% of companies introduced new processes or products, helped stimulate the market. This was accompanied by sustained consumer demand for fresh vegetables in the region, supporting growth. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 reduced innovation efforts to 48% of firms and disrupted supply chains, yet the overall market volume remained stable.

From 2021 to 2023, the market size experienced fluctuations. Continued pandemic impacts, including supply chain disruptions, contributed to a decline to 509 500 t in 2021. A recovery in innovation activity helped the market stabilize at 510 500 t in 2022. In 2023, consumer preferences shifted significantly toward locally produced and fresh vegetables, emphasizing sustainability, which influenced consumption patterns even as the total market volume eased slightly to 499 400 t.

Production cucumbers and gherkins in Northern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cucumbers and gherkins, 2017-2020

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

Northern Europe's cucumber and gherkin production has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 230.8 thousand tonnes, which is 1.1% higher than in 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 212.6 thousand tonnes, when output fell by 1.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 7.4%.

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

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Northern Europe exported 8.6 thousand tonnes of cucumbers and gherkins, marking a sharp increase of 32.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 2.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 6.5 thousand tonnes, which represented a significant decline of 40.7%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 10.9 thousand tonnes.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Northern Europe's cucumber and gherkin exports were distributed across multiple countries without a clear dominant partner. Belarus accounted for 6.4% of exports, Poland for 5.8%, and Spain for 2.4%. Together, these three countries made up just 14.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Northern Europe's cucumber and gherkin exports in value terms have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 10.2 million US dollars, reflecting a substantial drop of 13.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 14.5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 5.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 13.3 million US dollars, when exports increased by 11.8%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Northern Europe's cucumber and gherkin exports in value terms were relatively evenly spread among various markets. The United States accounted for 4.4% of exports, Poland for 2.6%, and Belarus for 2.5%. Combined, these three countries represented only 9.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports cucumbers and gherkins to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Northern Europe's cucumber and gherkin imports have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 299.5 thousand tonnes, showing only a slight change compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 12.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain and the Netherlands were the dominant suppliers of cucumbers and gherkins to Northern Europe, together accounting for 83.3% of total imports in volume terms. Other countries each held relatively small shares of the import market.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Northern Europe's cucumber and gherkin imports in value terms amounted to 381.8 million US dollars, representing a moderate increase of 6.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 12.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 4.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 10.6%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, two key markets—Spain and the Netherlands—together accounted for 81.2% of Northern Europe's total cucumber and gherkin imports in value terms. The remaining imports were spread across a wide range of other countries.

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

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