The trend in many countries at this time is that cucumber prices are trending higher. A recent TikTok video craze has also led to higher consumption in the Netherlands and Iceland as people seek to emulate these online trends. In Spain's Almería, an improvement in availability of cucumber volumes is expected. In Italy, cucumbers have high prices with even higher demand. Cucumber prices have been very high for several weeks due to the weather that has slowed down production. In Germany, prices have increased too. Dutch and Belgian supply dominates the market. In the Netherlands and Belgium exceptionally high cucumber prices were seen during August. The TikTok craze can not entirely explain the high prices, while supply was not short either. Over in Iceland cucumbers were all the rage, but fortunately for consumers prices were not higher despite a dip in volumes. France has seen steady volumes, while high price levels remain.
South Africa has seen a significant lifting in the price of cucumbers. The icy weather earlier in winter reduced the growth rate and yield, causing lower supply. In North America, the supply of cucumber is light. The cucumber supply from Mexico is short right now. The U.S. local production of field cucumbers has largely finished for the season. The hot weather had caused bloom drop earlier this month and as a result, hurt both the second and third picks of field cucumbers. Rains were also hitting some of the local regions.
Spain: Improvement in availability of cucumber volumes expected
In Almería, new cucumber plantations are already starting. "The summer ones were planted at the beginning of July and are finishing their cycle. There was a small gap at the beginning of September with the Dutch cucumber, but from the sector, and based on the information we have, an improvement in the availability of volumes is expected," explains an operator in the sector.
"With regard to the other varieties, the French and Spanish cucumbers are in short supply and the availability of volumes will not pick up until the end of this month. Prices, on the other hand, are going quite well, around 1.30-1.40 Euros/kg for the most commercial sizes."
"It must be taken into account that producing cucumbers in hot weather is very difficult. They need much more irrigation, they can be uprooted and pests attack the crops more. There are many factors that make cucumber production in Almería in summer very difficult and very worthwhile," the Spanish operator notes.
Italy: High prices with even higher demand
Cucumber prices have been very high for several weeks. A large wholesaler in northern Italy says that the weather has slowed down production, so that in recent weeks the quantities reaching the wholesale markets have been rather limited, while demand has exceeded supply. The Italian national cucumber in week 37 was bought at wholesale at an average of €1.50/kg, a little more if of perfect quality. The Dutch type (longer and with different organoleptic characteristics) was paid up to €2.00/kg. According to the wholesaler, new Italian production will start in October, first from Campania and then from Sicily in November and December. In these days planting is coming to an end in Campania and in the Agro Pontino (Lazio).
A Sicilian wholesaler says: "There was not much demand for cucumbers this summer because the quality of the product was not the best in July and August due to the drought. As a result, demand was limited due to mediocre quality, although prices were not the worst, averaging €1.20/kg. On 10 September, prices ranged from 0.70 to 1.00 euro/kg, the quality is improving and the production of Dutch type long sweet cucumbers (prices €1.50-1.80/kg) is increasing, also in Sicily. Unfortunately, the thorny variety is often bitter and not liked by the younger generation."
According to GfK Consumer Panel Services, cucumbers are bought by 45% of Italian households. The quantity of cucumbers bought has remained fairly stable over the years, although the pattern has changed: smaller quantities are bought, but more frequently. This is all part of the budget control strategy for household expenditure that families have been implementing for some time in the face of a general increase in prices. The distribution season for this vegetable remains concentrated on the summer period, with June and July representing the peak of sales.
Germany: Prices increasing
Domestic, Dutch and Belgian badges are dominating the market. The price level is still quite high and in some cases are even increasing.
Netherlands and Belgium: High cucumber prices in August
In August, cucumber prices were notably high in both the Netherlands and Belgium. While the average auction price for cucumbers in Belgium is typically around 40 euro cents per piece, prices this year were more than twice that amount. This trend persisted for several weeks, not just one. Similar reports came from the Dutch market as well.
There is no straightforward explanation for these high prices. Production levels were not unusually low. Additionally, due to virus issues, several tomato growers also started cultivating cucumbers, resulting in an increased cultivation area in 2023. Final area figures for 2024 are not yet available, but it is known that some tomato growers have reverted to growing tomatoes instead of cucumbers.
Demand was strong due to the summer weather, but sunny conditions are not unusual. Although there was a TikTok hype for cucumbers, attributing the exceptionally high prices in August solely to this trend seems excessive. In the first week of September, cucumber prices have decreased significantly, though an average price of just under 70 euro cents per piece is still considered high. The traditional growing season continues into October, with price peaks in May and August and no significant price drops in between, indicating a reasonably good cucumber year. However, the early part of the year saw disappointing pricing trends.
This winter, cucumbers will be grown under artificial lighting again. Several growers have switched to full LED lighting, and the reduction in energy prices compared to previous years is also beneficial.
Cucumber prices in Belgium remain at a very high level. "Whether it's because of the hype that has arisen in Iceland, I don't know, but we see that the cucumber market really is a demand market," explains a Belgian trader. "Prices simply remain very high and this is going to continue until Spanish product comes on the market. The first Spanish cucumbers are entering the market now, but because they have had heat waves, there are serious quality problems. Until good quality comes from there, I see the market getting tighter rather than getting relief. For Belgian growers it's been a great year, because of it."
Iceland: TikTok video increases demand for cucumbers
A recent TikTok video about cucumber salad has increased the demand for the vegetables in Iceland. This led to a partial shortage, but it came at a time when growers were switching over. A large importer noted the higher demand did not lead to higher prices. About 99% of the cucumbers consumed in Iceland are locally grown. It is grown all year round with lights, but growers have to change the plants about two to three times per year in the greenhouses. This causes lower production during certain weeks, which makes the supply lower than usual. Some farmers are starting to increase volumes as new plants reach maturity with more volumes becoming available for the local market.
France: Steady volumes, high price levels
This year, bad weather (since October 2023) prevented any production peaks. Volumes were therefore steady from week to week. There were no major heat peaks, and crops aged more quickly due to the lack of light in spring and summer. However, the rain and humidity favoured the development of botrytis and powdery mildew, which are very complicated to manage.
Regarding the market: cucumbers are a weather-dependent product, yet consumption has not suffered too much from the lack of sunshine, thanks to supermarket operations. "Cucumbers are a relatively inexpensive product, and in this inflationary context, thanks to distributor promotions during the campaign, sales were maintained and we had fairly regular releases", explains one grower. In terms of prices, this year's levels are rather high.
South Africa: Significant lifting in price
Cucumbers traded at R15 (0.78 euro) per kg, a significant lifting in the price, says a trader at the Johannesburg market, as a result of the cold of a few months ago which has reduced the growth rate and yield. Daily prices at the Johannesburg market is R22/kg (1.14 euros) for 8kg carton units
Gauteng's cucumbers are currently grown in Limpopo province, mostly under tunnels, and it is expected that cucumber volumes will increase as the temperatures increase, along with consumers' desire to make salads.
North America: Supply of cucumber light
The cucumber supply from Mexico is short right now. Some growers, especially in the central part of Mexico, are concerned about contracts on cucumbers and there could be hesitancy around taking contracts this year.
Also, the domestic, more local production of field cucumbers has largely finished for the season. The hot weather had caused bloom drop earlier this month and as a result, hurt both the second and third picks of field cucumbers. Rains were also hitting some of the local regions. Meanwhile, Georgia is slow to start its cucumber production.
As for greenhouse cucumbers, which had a flush early in the deal, have since tightened up supply and pricing has strengthened on these greenhouse cucumbers. With the light supply, demand had lightened though that has recently started to increase.
Next week's topic: Pineapples