Cucumbers and gherkins market in Slovenia

Earlier Report Observations

The Slovenian market for fresh or chilled cucumbers and gherkins saw its volume reach 6 613 t in 2019, supported by a surge in imports that highlighted the country's reliance on foreign supply for processing and sale. After this peak, the market gradually contracted to 6 110 t by 2022, before a partial recovery to 6 241 t in 2023.

A significant market disruption occurred in 2022 when authorities discovered paracetamol in imported cucumbers from India, leading to product recalls and stricter import controls. This food safety incident, coinciding with a broad increase in vegetable prices of about 16%, contributed to reduced import volumes and a smaller overall market that year.

The market structure has remained dependent on imports from neighboring countries like Bosnia, Serbia, and North Macedonia. Consumer preference for traditionally pickled cucumbers with specific quality attributes, such as crispness and proper acidity, defines a stable value-added segment within the market.

Production cucumbers and gherkins in Slovenia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cucumbers and gherkins, 2017-2020

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

In Slovenia, cucumber and gherkin production reached 2,990 tonnes in 2020, marking a robust year-over-year increase of 24.1%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 23.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 7.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 2,410 tonnes, with the largest decline that year being 1.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Slovenia's cucumber and gherkin production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 2,721 thousand US dollars, representing a substantial advance of 13.8% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 35.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1,958 thousand US dollars, where the largest decline of 2.7% occurred. The largest increase was in 2019 at 22.1%.

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

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from Slovenia

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Slovenia's exports of cucumbers and gherkins reached a trough in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports totaled 1,107 tonnes, representing a strong increase of 18.6% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.6%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 135.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Croatia consistently accounted for 70.1% of Slovenia's total exports in kind, indicating a high concentration on this market. The remaining exports were distributed among other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Cucumber and gherkin shipments from Slovenia abroad increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 1,007 thousand US dollars, corresponding to an increase of 8.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 204.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 45.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the two leading markets—Croatia and Austria—together accounted for 85.1% of Slovenia's total exports in value terms. The remaining volume was dispersed across a wide range of other countries.

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

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

Imports cucumbers and gherkins to Slovenia

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year increase, imported cucumber and gherkin volumes in Slovenia declined. In 2020, imports totaled 4,530 tonnes, equivalent to a significant loss of 11.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 5.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 5,136 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 10.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy (22.7% of imports in kind), Austria (18.3% of imports in kind), and Serbia (13.7% of imports in kind) led the ranking of suppliers of cucumbers and gherkins to Slovenia. Their combined share reached 54.7% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The volume of cucumber and gherkin imports in Slovenia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were approximately 4,401 thousand US dollars, down by 3.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 23.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 4,614 thousand US dollars, where the largest increase of 29.7% occurred.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria (25.4% of imports in value terms), Italy (21.2% of imports in value terms), and Spain (13.8% of imports in value terms) accounted for the largest share of imports in value terms. Together, they comprised 60.5% of total flows.

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

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