Deep Dive Analysis: Global Cucumber Market 2024/2025

The global cucumber market in 2024/2025 saw stable growth, driven by health trends, greenhouse innovations, and rising retail demand. China led global production, while Europe shifted toward high-value, sustainable cultivation. Prices rose significantly in most markets, with volatility tied to climate and supply chain pressures. Forecasts indicate continued expansion through 2030, especially in Asia and controlled-environment agriculture.

Learn more about cucumber history, plant information, interesting facts, and nutritional value

Cucumber varieties

Marketmore 76: A reliable open-pollinated slicing cucumber known for disease resistance and consistent yields. Ideal for home gardens and organic systems.
Sweet Success: A greenhouse-friendly hybrid that produces seedless, sweet cucumbers up to 12 inches. Highly uniform and suited for premium markets.
Diva: A parthenocarpic hybrid with smooth, spineless skin and crisp texture. Excellent for snacking and organic production.
Tokiwa (Japanese Long): An heirloom East Asian variety with thin, tender skin and mild, sweet flavor. Favored for raw and salad use.
Suyo Long: A traditional Chinese variety known for heat tolerance and long, curling fruits. Remains sweet and crisp in hot climates.
Picolino: A mini Persian hybrid for greenhouse production. Sweet, crisp, and ideal for snack packs and gourmet retail.
Telegraph Improved: A classic English cucumber grown in greenhouses. Long, nearly seedless, with thin skin and refined taste.
Burpless 26: A hybrid bred for easy digestion and mild flavor. Grows well in warm climates with good resistance to bitterness.
Green Fingers: A mini Persian hybrid with excellent yield, uniformity, and fresh-market appeal. Popular in community-supported agriculture (CSA) and local sales.
Olympian: A robust hybrid with strong disease resistance and uniform fruit size. Suitable for fresh markets and dependable across growing conditions.

Global Production

Total Production Volumes

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), global cucumber production reached approximately 95 million metric tonnes in 2022, a 2.3% increase from 2021. Cucumbers now rank globally as the third most-produced vegetable crop, following tomatoes and onions. This growth reflects strong and sustained international demand across fresh and processed markets.

Non‑European Production

China is by far the largest producer, producing over 77.2 million tonnes in 2022, more than 81% of the world's total, according to FAO Statistics. China's leadership is due to widespread use of greenhouse and tunnel systems, strong domestic consumption, and significant processing capacity.

Other notable producers include:

Turkey: 1.94 million tonnes
Russia: 1.64 million tonnes
Mexico: 1.08 million tonnes
Uzbekistan: 0.90 million tonnes

European Production

According to FAOSTAT, the European Union produced approximately 6.4 million metric tonnes of cucumbers and gherkins in 2023. For 2024, EUROSTAT reported a more conservative rebound figure of 2.7 million tonnes, suggesting a modest recovery after several years of declining acreage and weather-related setbacks. Cucumber production in Europe is concentrated in Southern and Central European countries. Key EU producers include Spain (especially in Almería and Murcia), Poland, the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Greece.

Global Consumption

Cucumbers are among the top three most consumed and widely available vegetables globally, after tomatoes and onions, according to the FAO. In 2019, the average daily vegetable availability was 449 grams per person in Asia and over 250 grams in Europe, with cucumbers especially common in Asia.

Global cucumber and gherkin consumption reached around 97–98 million tonnes in 2023–2024, nearly matching production. Consumption grew at an average rate of 2.5% annually over the past decade but saw a slight dip in 2024.

China is the largest consumer, with 79 million tonnes in 2024, 81% of global consumption. Turkey and the U.S. each consumed about 1.8 million tonnes, and Russia about 1.5 million tonnes. Consumption is highest in East Asia and Eastern Europe, and lower in the Americas and Western Europe, driven by dietary habits and rising health awareness.

Price Analysis

Farmgate Prices (2024 Season)

Cucumber farmgate prices in major producing countries in 2024 show significant variation due to differences in labor costs, agricultural technology, and regional market dynamics.

In Germany, open-field cucumber farmgate prices averaged €0.80 to €0.95 per kilogram during June and July 2024, as reported by the Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung (BLE). These figures reflect the main harvest period, with prices typically dropping at peak supply and rising slightly as production declines and imports increase.

For France, the Ministry of Agriculture's FranceAgriMer and RNM data place average farmgate prices between €0.45 and €0.65 per kilogram from May to July 2024. While isolated early-season transactions can see higher figures, most farmgate prices during peak season remain within this official range.

In Spain's Almería province, Junta de Andalucía bulletins show that farmgate values from May to July 2024 averaged €0.80 to €1.10 per kilogram. Pricing reflects the strong export demand from northern Europe and periodic volatility from weather impacts, but sustained averages above €1.10 per kilogram are uncommon for the entire season.

The Philippines reported farmgate cucumber prices of €0.40 to €0.60 per kilogram for 2024, supported by data from the Philippine Statistics Authority and the Department of Agriculture. These prices are shaped by low input costs and smaller-scale operations.

Mexico's SIAP market data reveals farmgate prices in the €0.40 to €0.60 per kilogram range for 2024. This bracket indicates competitive production costs and moderate price growth in key export-oriented regions.

Australia consistently posted higher farmgate prices in 2024, with figures from AUSVEG and governmental statistics showing €1.20 to €1.60 per kilogram. These levels reflect higher input and labor costs and elevated standards in advanced economies.

Global Cucumber Farmgate Prices (2024) (2).jpg

Please note: The analysis reveals data scarcity issues severely limiting comprehensive market assessment across the global cucumber sector. Official farmgate price data for the 2025 cucumber season is incomplete at publication, as the harvest is still ongoing in several key producing regions.

Wholesale Market Prices (2024/2025 Seasons)

Between weeks 18 and 28 of 2025, Germany's cucumber prices dropped compared to 2024. Mini cucumbers averaged €2.31/kg, down 16.6% from €2.77/kg, while snake cucumbers fell 9% to €0.65/kg. Early-season prices were high due to low supply, but mid-season abundance and weaker late-season demand drove prices down, according to BLE market bulletins.

France's wholesale prices for slicing cucumbers averaged €0.96/kg in 2024 and ranged from €0.61 to €1.27/kg in 2025, reflecting price swings influenced by seasonal supply and market shifts as reported by FranceAgriMer.

Spanish slicing cucumber prices remained among Europe's lowest, at €0.30–€0.55/kg in 2024 and €0.35–€0.42/kg in 2025, based on Junta de Andalucía bulletins and Mercabarna data. The Netherlands continued to demonstrate sharp competitiveness due to efficient greenhouse production, with wholesale prices from €0.18–€0.50/kg in 2024 dropping to as low as €0.11/kg in 2025 (Netherlands Agrimatie). In Poland, field cucumber prices were moderately higher, ranging from €0.70–€1.30/kg in 2024 and €0.65–€1.40/kg in 2025 at central markets like Bronisze.

Outside Europe, China's official wholesale price ranges for mixed types increased from €0.23–€0.41/kg in 2024 to €0.40–€0.49/kg in 2025 (Chinese Ministry of Agriculture bulletins), reflecting rising costs and domestic consumption. Mexico's national market reports (SIAP) place slicing cucumber prices at €0.43–€0.48/kg in 2024 and occasionally up to €0.96/kg in 2025 for export-oriented or tight supply periods. In Nigeria, 2022–2024 prices ranged from €0.24 to €0.35/kg. This year's data is pending, but prices remain low due to oversupply and limited market access.

Global Cucumber Wholesale Market Prices (20242025) (2).jpg

Retail Market Prices (2024/2025 Seasons)

Global cucumber retail prices rose between 2024 and 2025 due to high supply-chain costs, input inflation, and weather challenges. In Germany, supermarket cucumber prices doubled to €1.29 each by mid-2025. In France, retail prices rose from €1.10–€1.30/kg in 2024 to €1.30–€1.50/kg in 2025. Italian grocers saw prices jump from €1.30/kg to as high as €3.89/kg, while Swiss retail chains charged between €1.96–€3.92/kg in 2024 and €2.04–€4.28/kg in 2025.

Greek shoppers also faced higher prices, with cucumbers increasing from €1.10–€1.30/kg to around €1.50/kg by summer 2025. The Netherlands reported retail prices from €0.17–€0.84/kg, and Spain saw consumer cucumber prices rise to €0.67–€1.43/kg.

The UK's retailers kept prices relatively stable, ranging from €0.51–€1.30 each in 2024 and generally €1.05–€1.18 per cucumber in 2025. In the US, mainstream supermarkets increased prices from €0.51–€1.06 to €0.82–€1.15 each, while premium/organic cucumbers shot up to €2.30–€3.68 apiece.

Across Asia, Japan's retail cucumbers went from €0.62–€0.88 to a higher €0.76–€1.06 each, South Korea moved from €0.47–€0.67 to €0.54–€0.80 per piece, and Singapore's retail prices grew from €0.68 to €0.82–€1.02 each. Chinese supermarkets saw an increase from €0.29–€0.51 to €0.36–€0.59 each, while India reported a jump from €0.33–€0.55/kg to €0.44–€0.72/kg.

Overall, most markets experienced retail price rises of 5–45% year-on-year, with Germany, the US premium segment, and Italy seeing the most significant increases. The United Kingdom and Japan had less pronounced jumps, but upward trends were observed everywhere.

Global Cucumber Retail Prices (20242025) (1).jpg

Please note: All retailer prices are based on publicly available listings or national aggregators as of July 2025, with previous-year numbers validated against archived price data.

Key Market Trends (2024–2025)

Controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) methods, like greenhouses and hydroponics, are rapidly expanding. They improve cucumber yield stability, extend growing seasons, and reduce climate-related risks; Dutch greenhouses have achieved yields up to 70.52kg/m² (FAOSTAT, 2020).
Health trends and events like the 2024 "cucumber TikTok craze" have boosted demand for cucumbers as hydrating, low-calorie foods in countries like Belgium and Iceland.
Sustainable and organic cucumber farming is growing, supported by consumer demand for safer, eco-friendly produce and EU policies; younger demographics are willing to pay more for organic options.
Export dynamics are shifting, with Turkey overtaking Spain in export value to Europe in 2023 (€827.8 million vs. €683.5 million) due to greater volumes and strategic market positioning (FAOSTAT, Turkish Statistical Institute).
The market remains exposed to short-term price swings from weather events, pest outbreaks, and sudden demand spikes led by social media trends.
Advances in packaging and ready-to-eat (RTE) products are extending shelf life, reducing food waste, and meeting consumer demand for convenience and sustainability.
Growth in the food service sector, including restaurants, catering, and online delivery, is further increasing cucumber demand and supporting year-round consumption.
The pickled cucumber and gherkin segments are expanding, driven by consumer interest in fermented foods, convenient packaging, and new export opportunities.

Production Outlook & Market Forecast

Global cucumber production is set to exceed 100 million metric tonnes in 2025, reflecting a steady growth trend driven by expanding greenhouse cultivation, technological advancements, and robust demand, particularly in Asia and Eastern Europe. In the EU, production is expected to remain stable as higher yields, such as France's projected 7% increase for 2025, offset slight decreases in cultivation area thanks to improved greenhouse technology (EUROSTAT, 2024).

The global cucumber and gherkin market, valued at €5.15 billion in 2024, is forecast to reach €6.18 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual rate of 2.8% (Research and Markets, 2024). By 2035, production volumes are projected to reach 115 million metric tonnes, and market value is expected to approach €88.27 billion, rising at 1.8% annually (IndexBox, 2024).

Most of this volume growth will come from Asia. In contrast, Western Europe is focusing on higher-value production, with market volume expected to increase modestly at growing at a compound annual rate of 0.3%. Wholesale and retail prices are likely to remain high throughout 2025.

Conclusions

The global cucumber market is set for moderate but steady growth through 2025, driven by rising health-conscious demand and the expansion of greenhouse and sustainable farming. China will remain the leading producer by volume, while Europe and North America focus on premium, high-value segments. Prices are expected to stay elevated due to persistent input costs, weather volatility, and trade dynamics. However, advances in controlled-environment agriculture, packaging, and yield optimization will help stabilize supply chains and support long-term market resilience.

Please note: All currency figures are in euros (€), based on mid-2025 exchange rates.

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