Cucumbers and gherkins market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh or chilled cucumbers and gherkins in the Netherlands fell consistently from 96.5 thousand tons in 2018 to 54.2 thousand tons in 2021.

A strong reversal began in 2022, with the market expanding to 75.1 thousand tons and further to 104.9 thousand tons in 2023. This rebound coincided with resilient consumer habits, as cucumbers were purchased less for price and more out of routine, and the growth of online grocery shopping where cucumbers ranked among the top five most-ordered vegetables.

Entering 2024, a sunny spring supported high production yields for cucumbers, while Dutch exports remained oriented toward key European markets such as Germany and the United Kingdom, even as overall vegetable consumption in the country showed a slight decline.

Production cucumbers and gherkins in the Netherlands

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands ranked 16th globally in cucumber and gherkin production.

Top producers of cucumbers and gherkins, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, the Netherlands produced 430.2 thousand tonnes of cucumbers and gherkins, showing a modest increase of 4.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 7.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.5%. The most stable year was 2019, with no significant change in production levels.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of cucumber and gherkin production in the Netherlands reached 512.0 million US dollars, up 6.4% from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 18.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.9%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 541.1 million US dollars, while 2019 saw the largest decline of 11.1%. The most significant increase was recorded in 2018, with a 25.6% rise.

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

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, K t

The Netherlands has seen its cucumber and gherkin exports grow for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 466.7 thousand tonnes, marking a 6.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 8.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Belgium were the top destinations for Dutch cucumber and gherkin exports by volume. Germany accounted for 52.5% of exports, followed by the United Kingdom at 19.5%, and Belgium at 12.2%. Together, these three countries made up 84.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of cucumber and gherkin exports from the Netherlands totaled 555.4 million US dollars, reflecting a 7.7% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 20.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 567.5 million US dollars, while 2019 experienced the largest decline of 9.1%. The most notable increase occurred in 2018, with a 22.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Belgium were the leading markets for Dutch cucumber and gherkin exports by value. Germany represented 53.9% of export value, the United Kingdom 20.4%, and Belgium 9.1%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 83.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports cucumbers and gherkins to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, cucumber and gherkin imports into the Netherlands showed a slight uptick. In 2020, import volume stood at 107.3 thousand tonnes, with minimal change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 9.7%, averaging an annual decline of 3.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 107.2 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest drop of 8.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Spain and Belgium dominated the Netherlands' cucumber and gherkin imports by volume, jointly accounting for 83.1% of total flows. Other countries contributed the remaining share.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of cucumber and gherkin imports into the Netherlands was 120.9 million US dollars, up 1.8% from a year earlier. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value fell by 9.2%, with a compound annual decline of 3.2%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 118.7 million US dollars, while the peak was in 2018 at 136.8 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 13.2% drop, and the biggest increase was in 2018, with a 2.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain and Belgium together represented 83.9% of the Netherlands' cucumber and gherkin import value. Other countries formed a diverse but smaller portion of the import market.

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

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