India sets record in cucumber exports Pickled Gherkins exported 1,23,846 tonnes in April-November this fiscal. It grossed $ 114 million. In 2020-21, the country earned $ 223 million from exports of 2,23,515 tonnes.
Gherkins, a vegetable variety, is exported in two categories – gherkins, which are stored with vinegar or acetic acid preservatives. The second is temporarily stored gherkins and cucumber varieties. The scheme was started in the 1990s by the Union Ministry of Commerce and the Agricultural and Processed Foods Development Authority to promote the cultivation, processing and export of pickled cucumbers.
The beginning was from Karnataka. It was later extended to Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. At present, India produces about 15% of the global demand for pickles. Cultivation is done on 65,000 acres on contract basis.
The main consumers are Sri Lanka, Israel, China, USA, France, Australia, Russia, Germany, South Korea and USA. Processed cucumbers are exported as a whole as industrial raw material and for immediate consumption in bottles. On an average, a farmer can get 4 tons of cucumber per acre. There are 51 processing units in existence.