India emerges as largest exporters of cucumber, gherkins in the world

India has become the world's top exporter of gherkins. During the months of April to October, India exported 1,23,846 metric tonnes of cucumber and gherkins for US$ 114 million (2020-21).

In the previous fiscal year, India's agricultural processed product exports of pickled cucumber, often known as gherkins or cornichons, surpassed US$ 200 million. India exported 2,23,515 metric tonnes of cucumber and gherkins worth US$ 223 million in 2020-21.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) implemented a series of initiatives in infrastructure development, product promotion in the global market, and adherence to the food safety management system in processing units, as directed by the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Cucumbers and gherkins, which are produced and preserved by vinegar or acetic acid, and cucumbers and gherkins, which are provisionally preserved, are the two types of gherkins exported. Gherkin cultivation, processing, and exports began in Karnataka in the early 1990s and then expanded to the neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. India produces nearly 15% of the world's gherkin supply.

Gherkin cultivation is carried out by roughly 90,000 small and marginal farmers in India, with a total yearly production area of 65,000 acres.

Gherkins that have been processed are sold in bulk as an industrial raw material and in jars as a ready-to-eat product. Bulk production still accounts for a large portion of the gherkin market. There are approximately 51 large enterprises in India that produce and export gherkins in drums and ready-to-eat consumer packs.

APEDA has aided in the promotion of processed vegetable exports by providing financial assistance for the development of infrastructure, improving the quality of processed gherkins, promoting products on the international market, and implementing food safety management systems in processing units.

A gherkin farmer produces 4 metric tonnes per acre per crop on average, earning around Rs 80,000 (US$ 1075.77) with a net profit of Rs 40,000 (US$ 537.88). Gherkin is a 90-day crop that the farmers harvest twice a year. To meet the needs of international buyers, international-standard processing units have been developed here.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.