India Becomes Pickle King Of The World! Emerges As Largest Exporter Of Cucumber, Gherkins

Out of the global requirement of gherkins, India alone meets 15 per cent of its demand. They are imported to over 20 countries across the globe. These include countries like the USA, France, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Israel, Germany among others.

New Delhi: In the latest development, India has emerged as the ‘Pickle King of The World’. It has crossed the exports worth $200 million of agricultural processed product, pickling cucumber or gherkins or cornichons, in last financial year. With this, India has become the largest exporter of cucumbers and gherkins in the world.

According to the media reports, India has exported cucumber and gherkins to the tune of 1,23,846 metric tonnes (MT) with a value of $114 million during April-October 2021. In 2020-21, India had shipped 2,23,515MT of cucumber and gherkins with a value of $223 million.

India Meets 15 Per Cent Of Global Demand

India has 51 companies that produce and export gherkins. They are exported in two forms, packed in drums and in ready-to-eat packs. Out of the global requirement of gherkins, India alone meets 15 per cent of its demand. Indian plants are of international standards and have been made to cater to the needs of foreign countries.

Interestingly, in India, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana process and export the pickled cucumber to the world. They are imported to over 20 countries. These include countries like the USA, France, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Israel, Germany among others.

Gherkins Grown Under Contract Farming

According to the report, gherkins are cultivated under contract farming by around 90,000 small and marginal farmers in India. They have an annual production area of 65,000 acres. On average, a gherkin farmer earns Rs 80,000 with a net income of Rs 40,000.

Interestingly, the farmers take two crops of gherkins annually because it is a 90-day crop. Along with this, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has undertaken various initiatives in infrastructure development, product promotion in the global market and adherence to food safety management systems in processing units.

All the gherkin manufacturing and exporting companies are either ISO, BRC, IFS, FSSC 22000 certified and HACCP certified or possess all the certifications, the report stated.

(With inputs from IANS)