Cucumbers and gherkins market in Serbia

Earlier Report Observations

Serbian cucumber production started the period strong, aided by the expansion of greenhouse areas and a focus on export competitiveness, leading to a peak in output value in 2018. The market was then influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which increased consumer preference for local and fresh produce, boosting domestic production despite global supply chain disruptions.

After a contraction in 2021, the market's value rebounded sharply in 2022 and 2023. This growth was primarily driven by heightened demand for fresh vegetables, reflected in an 8.1% rise in turnover at green markets in early 2022. Concurrent investments in cold storage and processing infrastructure modernized the supply chain, while improved irrigation on agricultural land supported stable production volumes in the later years.

Production cucumbers and gherkins in Serbia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cucumbers and gherkins, 2017-2020

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

After two years of decline, cucumber and gherkin production in Serbia has rebounded. In 2020, Serbia produced 31 281 tonnes of cucumbers and gherkins, marking a 5.3% increase from 2019. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 29 711 tonnes. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 46%, with an average annual decline of 18.6%. The sharpest drop occurred in 2019, when production decreased by 30.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Serbia in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two years of contraction, the value of cucumber and gherkin production in Serbia has turned upward. In 2020, output was valued at 19 032 thousand US dollars, representing a 19.8% year-on-year increase. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 15 890 thousand US dollars. Between 2017 and 2020, production value declined by 30.1%, with an average annual decrease of 11.2%. The most significant reduction took place in 2019, when value fell by 29.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Serbia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from Serbia

Exports in kind, t

Serbia's cucumber and gherkin export volume has grown for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 21 302 tonnes, which is 7.7% higher than in 2019. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 17 330 tonnes. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 21.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, when exports fell by 1.4%, while the most substantial increase was in 2019, with a 14.1% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Croatia, and Austria were the primary destinations for Serbia's cucumber and gherkin exports by volume. Germany accounted for 59.4% of exports, Croatia for 10.1%, and Austria for 9.8%. Together, these three countries represented 79.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Serbia's cucumber and gherkin export value has increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 12 960 thousand US dollars, up 22.5% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 57.1%, equivalent to an average annual increase of 16.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Croatia, and Austria were the main markets for Serbia's cucumber and gherkin exports by value. Germany represented 53.8% of export value, Croatia 11.8%, and Austria 11.2%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 76.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports cucumbers and gherkins to Serbia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Serbia imported 9 495 tonnes of cucumbers and gherkins, a slight decrease of 1.9% from 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 9 682 tonnes, while the lowest was in 2018 at 7 226 tonnes. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 14%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, when imports fell by 13.2%, and the most significant increase was in 2019, with a 34.0% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Albania, North Macedonia, and Spain dominated Serbia's cucumber and gherkin imports by volume. Albania accounted for 61.8% of imports, North Macedonia for 10.9%, and Spain for 10.3%. Together, these three countries made up 83.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Serbia's cucumber and gherkin import value has grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 7 444 thousand US dollars, showing little change from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 66.8%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 18.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Albania, Spain, and Greece were the key sources for Serbia's cucumber and gherkin imports by value. Albania represented 50.0% of import value, Spain 16.1%, and Greece 12.6%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 78.7% of total import flows.

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

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