India’s gherkin exports touched a new high both in value and volume during 2025-26 as key buyers such as Germany, Russia and Canada scaled up purchases of the pickled cucumbers. The record exports are despite the tariff issue hurting shipments to the US, the largest buyer, and sluggish off-take by key European buyers such as Spain and France.
The gherkin export value during 2025-26 was a tad higher at $307.61 million over $306.72 million the previous year. However, the volume was up by 8 per cent at 3.14 lakh tonne against 2.89 lakh tonnes.
GM Vinod, President, Indian Gherkin Exporters Association, attributed the growth in value to the appreciating trend in currencies such as the dollar and euro. Though exports to the US, the largest buyer, were impacted due to the tariff issues initially, shipments picked up after the issue was resolved, he said.
Spain, France offtake down
As per the DGCIS data, gherkin exports to the US, the largest market, were down by 27 per cent in value at $53.61 million during FY2025-26 over the previous year’s $73.51 million. In volume, exports to the US declined 23 per cent to 52,768 tonnes from 68,376 tonnes a year ago.
Also, the off-take from key European buyers, Spain and France, was lower during the year due to their higher domestic stocks, Vinod said.
However, buyers such as Germany, Russia, Canada and the Netherlands increased their purchases from India. After the US, Germany is the second largest buyer of Indian gherkins with volumes of 35,070 tonnes (29,097 tonnes during 2024-25) valued at $40.09 million (31.79 million). Exports to Russia, the third largest buyer, increased to 43,627 tonnes (28,598 tonnes), valued at $31.76 million ($25.28 million)
India exports gherkins both in bulk and bottled forms. The production and processing of gherkins is concentrated largely in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Gherkins are produced under a contract farming model with the farmers, and most of the produce is exported, as the pickled cucumber has a negligible domestic market.
Published on May 26, 2026