Cucumbers and gherkins market in Sri Lanka

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh or chilled cucumbers and gherkins in Sri Lanka showed considerable volatility between 2018 and 2023. After starting at 49 288 t in 2018, it fell to 39 036 t in 2019 and fluctuated around the 37 000–42 000 t range through 2022, before a sharp recovery to 51 516 t in 2023.

A persistent influence on production costs was the high price and dependency on imported hybrid seeds, noted from 2020 onward. This factor increased expenses for vegetable farmers, including cucumber growers. In 2022, a significant development was the launch of the World Bank-assisted Agriculture Sector Modernization Project, which partnered with Hayleys Pvt Ltd and farmers in Batticaloa District to establish organized salad cucumber cultivation aimed at export markets.

The 2022 project introduced new, structured farmer segments and complementary activities like beekeeping to support pollination. These efforts to modernize and expand cultivated area likely underpinned the substantial market volume increase observed in 2023. During this period, international demand for green cucumber also grew steadily, though Sri Lanka's export contribution remained limited.

Production cucumbers and gherkins in Sri Lanka

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cucumbers and gherkins, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Sri Lanka produced 42 229 tons of cucumbers and gherkins, marking an 8.2% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 27.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 49 767 tons, which represented a 50.2% increase from the previous year. However, in 2019, production saw its largest decline of 21.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sri Lanka in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the output of cucumbers and gherkins in Sri Lanka was valued at 76 713 thousand US dollars, showing a moderate 6.5% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value rose by 29.2%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 8.9%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 92 973 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 56.6% surge. Conversely, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 22.5%.

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

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from Sri Lanka

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports of cucumbers and gherkins from Sri Lanka reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 61-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports amounted to 25.7 tons, indicating a sharp increase of 139.9% compared to 2019. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 480.4 tons, which represented a massive 5,992.1% increase. However, 2019 saw the largest decline of 97.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Maldives was the dominant market for Sri Lanka's exports of cucumbers and gherkins in volume terms, accounting for 81.4% of total flows, while other countries together made up the remaining share.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Export values hit their lowest in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 64-fold gap between these points. In 2020, exports of cucumbers and gherkins from Sri Lanka totaled 46.7 thousand US dollars, up by 136.1% from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 897.5 thousand US dollars, reflecting a substantial 6,251.1% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 97.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Maldives accounted for 79.7% of the total export value of cucumbers and gherkins from Sri Lanka, with the remaining flows distributed among multiple smaller trading partners.

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

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

Imports cucumbers and gherkins to Sri Lanka

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports of cucumbers and gherkins into Sri Lanka bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 602-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports reached 0.3 tons, representing a 90.8% reduction compared to 2019. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 2.7 tons, following a significant 29,990.7% increase in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands and Australia together accounted for 86.1% of total imports of cucumbers and gherkins into Sri Lanka in volume terms, with the rest of the volume spread across smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import values were at their lowest in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 996-fold difference. In 2020, imports of cucumbers and gherkins into Sri Lanka were recorded at 0.6 thousand US dollars, down by 95.8% compared to 2019. The highest value was in 2019 at 14.2 thousand US dollars, after a 6,416.6% increase in 2018.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports of cucumbers and gherkins into Sri Lanka in value terms were largely concentrated on the Netherlands, which accounted for 70.6% of total flows; other countries together formed the residual share.

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

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