Market evolution: Fresh cucumbers and gherkins (CN 0707) — 2015–2025
Introduction
This report examines the evolution of EU trade in fresh cucumbers and gherkins (Combined Nomenclature code 0707) over the 2015–2025 period. The analysis covers both the EU's trade with non-EU countries and the internal dynamics among Member States. Despite growing imports, the EU has maintained—and even strengthened—its position as a net exporter of fresh cucumbers. However, the period has been marked by a dramatic shift in the composition of suppliers, rising price pressures, and increasing geographic concentration of sourcing. The following sections explore these dynamics in detail.
For reference, the full dataset and underlying visualisations are available on the Trade Dashboard.
1. A Growing but Price-Driven Trade Surplus
The EU's export value more than doubled while volumes grew modestly
Between 2015 and 2025, the EU's total exports of fresh cucumbers and gherkins to non-EU countries rose from €187.7 million to €401.2 million—an increase of 113.7%. However, the underlying volume grew far less dramatically, from 207,670 tonnes to 239,675 tonnes (+15.4%). This divergence indicates that the bulk of export value growth was driven by rising unit prices rather than by a surge in physical shipments.
| Metric | 2015 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Export value (€M) | 187.7 | 401.2 | +113.7% |
| Export volume (kt) | 207.7 | 239.7 | +15.4% |
| Export price (€/t) | 904 | 1,674 | +85.2% |
Source: General Overview
Imports surged at an even faster pace, yet the trade balance expanded
EU imports from non-EU partners grew even more rapidly in relative terms: value rose from €36.9 million to €127.5 million (+245.3%), while volume climbed from 54,051 tonnes to 127,178 tonnes (+135.3%). Import unit prices increased by 46.7%, from €683/t to €1,003/t. Despite this import boom, the EU's trade surplus in fresh cucumbers widened from €150.8 million to €273.6 million (+81.5%), reflecting the EU's continued structural strength as an exporter. Notably, EU export prices (€1,674/t in 2025) substantially exceed import prices (€1,003/t), suggesting that EU cucumbers are positioned in higher-value market segments.
| Metric | 2015 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Import value (€M) | 36.9 | 127.5 | +245.3% |
| Import volume (kt) | 54.1 | 127.2 | +135.3% |
| Import price (€/t) | 683 | 1,003 | +46.7% |
| Trade balance (€M) | 150.8 | 273.6 | +81.5% |
Source: General Overview
2. A Shifting Geography of Supply: Western Balkans and Turkey Rise as Key Sources
Turkey and Albania emerged as the most dynamic import partners
The composition of the EU's cucumber imports underwent a dramatic transformation. Turkey's shipments to the EU grew from €9.6 million to €56.2 million (+485.4%), making it by far the largest non-EU supplier by 2025. Even more striking in relative terms, Albania's exports to the EU surged from just €1.1 million to €16.7 million (+1,420.5%), positioning it as a significant new source. Morocco also strengthened its position, growing from €7.8 million to €22.6 million (+191.7%).
| Partner | 2015 (€M) | 2025 (€M) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Türkiye | 9.6 | 56.2 | +485.4% |
| Morocco | 7.8 | 22.6 | +191.7% |
| Albania | 1.1 | 16.7 | +1,420.5% |
| Serbia | 3.3 | 9.6 | +188.9% |
| North Macedonia | 4.5 | 4.5 | +1.3% |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 5.7 | 1.5 | −74.1% |
| Russian Federation | 0.0 | 7.1 | — |
Source: Top partners by value
Import concentration increased markedly, raising supply-side risk
This geographic shift is reflected in a rising Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) for imports. By value, the import HHI climbed from 1,645 to 2,542 (+54.6%), indicating a move from a moderately concentrated market to a more concentrated one. The growing weight of Turkey and Morocco means the EU's supply base has become more reliant on a smaller number of key partners, which could expose the market to greater supply-chain risk in the event of adverse weather, geopolitical disruption, or trade policy changes.
| HHI measure | 2015 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Import HHI (value) | 1,645 | 2,542 | +54.6% |
| Export HHI (value) | 6,292 | 6,618 | +5.2% |
Source: Concentration
Bosnia and Herzegovina's decline stands out amid regional growth
While most Western Balkan suppliers expanded their EU trade, Bosnia and Herzegovina bucked the trend: its cucumber exports to the EU fell from €5.7 million to €1.5 million (−74.1%). This decline, combined with the concurrent surge in Albanian and Serbian exports, suggests a competitive displacement within the region. The volatility of Bosnia's trade is also notable, with a coefficient of variation of 0.57 for import flows, indicating considerable year-to-year instability.
3. Intra-EU Specialisation, the UK Relationship, and Price Volatility
Spain and the Netherlands dominate EU exports, but the gap has widened
Within the EU, Spain and the Netherlands are the two dominant exporters of fresh cucumbers to non-EU markets. Spain's exports grew from €71.5 million to €207.8 million (+190.6%), while the Netherlands' rose from €98.8 million to €155.3 million (+57.2%). By 2025, Spain had overtaken the Netherlands as the leading exporter. Spain also exhibits the highest Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage (RSCA) score in the EU at 0.80, confirming its strong specialisation in this product. Greece (RSCA 0.72) and the Netherlands (RSCA 0.32) follow, while larger economies like France (RSCA −0.90) and Sweden (RSCA −0.98) show a comparative disadvantage.
| EU Member | 2015 exports (€M) | 2025 exports (€M) | Change | RSCA (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 71.5 | 207.8 | +190.6% | 0.80 |
| Netherlands | 98.8 | 155.3 | +57.2% | 0.32 |
| France | 8.5 | 16.3 | +92.1% | −0.90 |
| Greece | 0.7 | 7.9 | +1,037.4% | 0.72 |
| Poland | 1.9 | 4.6 | +146.4% | — |
Sources: Top reporters by value, Specialisation
The United Kingdom remains the overwhelmingly dominant export destination
The United Kingdom absorbed €322.2 million of EU cucumber exports in 2025, up from €147.5 million in 2015 (+118.4%). It accounts for roughly 80% of total EU export value. The UK trade flow is remarkably stable, with a coefficient of variation of just 0.05—the lowest among all major partners. This stability underscores the structural integration of UK and EU fresh produce supply chains, though it also implies a high degree of dependence on a single market. Switzerland (+198.5%) and Serbia (+585.3%) also saw strong growth, while exports to the United States collapsed from €4.3 million to €0.3 million (−93.3%).
| Export partner | 2015 (€M) | 2025 (€M) | Change | CV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 147.5 | 322.2 | +118.4% | 0.05 |
| Switzerland | 16.3 | 48.7 | +198.5% | 0.28 |
| Norway | 9.9 | 12.8 | +28.7% | 0.16 |
| Serbia | 1.2 | 8.0 | +585.3% | 0.50 |
| United States | 4.3 | 0.3 | −93.3% | 0.71 |
Sources: Top partners by value, Volatility
Poland transformed from a minor to a major import hub, alongside Romania and Bulgaria
On the import side within the EU, several Member States dramatically increased their intake of non-EU cucumbers. Poland's imports surged from €1.4 million to €23.2 million (+1,601.3%), making it the largest EU importer by 2025. Romania (+474.4%), Bulgaria (+359.3%), and Spain (+209.5%) also showed large increases. This suggests a growing role for Eastern and Southern European countries as gateways for third-country cucumber supplies—potentially reflecting expanding greenhouse capacity in neighbouring non-EU countries and evolving supply chain patterns.
| EU reporter | 2015 imports (€M) | 2025 imports (€M) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poland | 1.4 | 23.2 | +1,601.3% |
| Spain | 6.8 | 21.1 | +209.5% |
| Germany | 5.4 | 17.9 | +231.0% |
| Bulgaria | 3.1 | 14.3 | +359.3% |
| Romania | 2.3 | 13.0 | +474.4% |
Source: Top reporters by value
A notable price shock from Morocco in 2021
The data detects a significant supply-side price shock originating from Morocco in 2021, with an abnormality score of 2.7 and a price shift of +42.1%. At that time, Moroccan cucumbers represented 16.6% of EU import value. This event likely reflects the combined effects of COVID-19-related logistics disruptions, adverse growing conditions, and the seasonal dynamics of winter supply from North Africa. It is a reminder that the EU's dependence on a concentrated set of non-EU suppliers leaves it exposed to periodic price volatility.
| Shock event | Year | Type | Shift | Abnormality | Share of imports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morocco | 2021 | Price | +42.1% | 2.7 | 16.6% |
Source: Supply shocks
Conclusion
Over the 2015–2025 decade, the EU's fresh cucumber and gherkin market has been characterised by three dominant trends: (1) strong value growth in both exports and imports, driven substantially by rising unit prices rather than volume expansion alone; (2) a major geographic reorientation of imports towards Turkey, Albania, and Morocco, increasing supply concentration and associated risk; and (3) the consolidation of Spain as the EU's leading exporter and the continued dominance of the United Kingdom as the primary export destination.
The EU's trade surplus remains robust and even widened to €273.6 million by 2025, underpinned by a price premium that reflects the high quality and year-round greenhouse production capacity of EU growers—particularly in Spain and the Netherlands. However, the rapid growth of imports, the rising import HHI, and the detected Moroccan price shock in 2021 all point to a market that is becoming more exposed to external supply dynamics. Policymakers and industry stakeholders would be well advised to monitor these trends closely, particularly with respect to diversification of import sources and the resilience of seasonal supply chains.