Market research

Cucumbers and gherkins market in South Korea

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for cucumbers and gherkins in South Korea declined from 391.2 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 281.9 thousand tonnes in 2022, a reduction of nearly 28% over four years. This downward trend was notably accelerated in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted agricultural activities and supply chains, contributing to a sharp drop in production and market availability.

Throughout the period, broader shifts in the fresh food sector, such as the rising consumer focus on health and wellness and the rapid expansion of e-commerce and online delivery platforms, reshaped distribution channels. Government efforts to strengthen food-related regulations and industry standards also introduced new market conditions, though these structural changes did not reverse the overall contraction in cucumber and gherkin volumes.

In 2023, the market saw a modest recovery to 288.2 thousand tonnes. This turnaround coincided with the continued growth of the overall fresh food market, supported by the strengthening of online fresh food delivery and retail competition, as well as market diversification strategies that expanded export opportunities.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in South Korea
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in South Korea in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in South Korea in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Korea in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Korea in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Korea, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Korea in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Korea in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Korea, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Korea in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Korea in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Korea, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Korea in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Korea in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Korea, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production cucumbers and gherkins in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea ranked 17th globally in the production of cucumbers and gherkins.

Top producers of cucumbers and gherkins, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

South Korea's production of cucumbers and gherkins declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 335.6 thousand tons, marking an 8.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Production peaked in 2018 at 391.2 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 14.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	14.6%	(6.4%)	(8.3%)	(0.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of South Korea's cucumber and gherkin production fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 772.4 million US dollars, a sharp 11.7% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 2.5%, averaging 0.8% per year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 952.6 million US dollars, with that year also experiencing the biggest annual rise of 26.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	26.4%	(8.2%)	(11.7%)	0.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from South Korea

Exports in kind, t

South Korea's exports of cucumbers and gherkins grew for the third straight year. In 2020, shipments totaled 128.4 tons, a dramatic 46.4% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 155%, averaging 36.6% growth annually.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6.2%	64.0%	46.4%	36.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Japan, Hong Kong, and Russia were the top destinations for South Korea's cucumber and gherkin exports by volume. Japan accounted for 41.3% of exports, Hong Kong for 36.0%, and Russia for 16.8%, together making up 94.0% of total shipments.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

South Korea's cucumber and gherkin exports increased in value for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports were worth 295.6 thousand US dollars, a steep 41.0% gain over 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 165.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 38.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	17.1%	60.9%	41.0%	38.5%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Japan, Hong Kong, and Russia dominated South Korea's cucumber and gherkin exports by value. Japan held a 43.1% share, Hong Kong 36.3%, and Russia 9.8%, collectively representing 89.2% of total export value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports cucumbers and gherkins to South Korea

Imports in kind, t

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017-2020, South Korea's imports of cucumbers and gherkins by volume were highly concentrated, with the United States alone supplying 100.0% of total imports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, South Korea's cucumber and gherkin imports by value were almost entirely sourced from the United States, which accounted for 100.0% of the total.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io