Cucumbers and gherkins market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh cucumbers and gherkins in Romania showed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023. After a drop to 122 thousand tonnes in 2019, market volume jumped to 163 thousand tonnes in 2020. This increase coincided with a global production crisis, especially in Spain, which drove up prices across Europe and likely encouraged Romanian growers to expand output.

Market volume then collapsed to 64 thousand tonnes in 2022. Drought conditions and high costs made farmers reluctant to invest, severely reducing domestic production. A partial recovery to 78 thousand tonnes followed in 2023, as growers managed risks despite ongoing drought and difficult economic conditions.

By 2024, severe drought continued to pressure agricultural output, while transport and storage infrastructure faced strain from the flow of goods from Ukraine, affecting cucumber supply chains.

Production cucumbers and gherkins in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania ranked 30th globally in the production of cucumbers and gherkins.

Top producers of cucumbers and gherkins, 2017-2020

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

Romania's production of cucumbers and gherkins increased in 2020 after a two-year decline. In 2020, the country produced 165.1 thousand tonnes, marking a significant 39.1% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 17.9%, averaging an annual decline of 6.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 118.6 thousand tonnes, with the largest drop occurring in 2018 at 31.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Romania's production value of cucumbers and gherkins rose in 2020 following a two-year decrease. In 2020, the output was valued at 94.2 million US dollars, representing a 39.2% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, the production value fell by 7.5%, with an average annual decline of 2.6%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 67.7 million US dollars, and the largest decline was in 2018 at 19.7%.

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

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Romania's exports of cucumbers and gherkins grew for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 23 323 tonnes, a sharp 38.1% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 46.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.7%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 14 629 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 7.8% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Romania's cucumber and gherkin exports in volume terms were Germany, accounting for 37.0% of exports, Poland with 33.0%, and Hungary at 18.7%. Together, these three countries made up 88.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Romania's export value of cucumbers and gherkins increased for the third year in a row in 2020, totaling 13 312 thousand US dollars, a dramatic 38.2% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 65.5%, with an average annual increase of 18.3%.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany, Poland, and Hungary remained the top markets for Romania's cucumber and gherkin exports in value terms. Germany held 38.6% of exports, Poland 29.9%, and Hungary 17.3%, collectively accounting for 85.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports cucumbers and gherkins to Romania

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Romania imported 21 599 tonnes of cucumbers and gherkins, a gradual 6.3% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 14.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 1.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 9.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece, Spain, and Turkey were the primary sources for Romania's cucumber and gherkin imports in volume terms. Greece contributed 27.1% of imports, Spain 20.1%, and Turkey 17.6%, together making up 64.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Romania's import value of cucumbers and gherkins totaled 23 233 thousand US dollars in 2020, up 11.5% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 11.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 6.2%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Greece, Spain, and Turkey continued to be the leading sources for Romania's cucumber and gherkin imports in value terms. Greece accounted for 26.1% of imports, Spain 20.1%, and Turkey 18.1%, with a combined share of 64.3% of total import value.

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

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