HIGHLIGHTS:
• In the financial year 2020-2021, India exceeded USD 200 million in agricultural processed product exports, such as pickled gherkins, cucumbers, or cornichons.
• As a result, India became the world’s top exporter of cucumbers and gherkins.
• During April to October 2021, India exported 1,23,846 metric tonnes (MT) of cucumber and gherkins worth USD 114 million.
• India exported 2,23,515 MT of cucumber and gherkins worth USD 223 million in 2020-21.
What is in the News?
In a recent development, India was crowned as the “Pickle King of The World.” India has emerged as the world’s leading exporter of cucumbers and gherkins. According to sources in the media, India exported 1,23,846 metric tonnes (MT) of cucumber and gherkins for $114 million from April to October 2021.
India is supplying global need.
Gherkins are produced and exported by 51 enterprises in India. Gherkins are available in two types of packaging: drums and ready-to-eat packs. Gherkins are supplied by India for 15% of the total global demand. Indian plants meet international standards and are designed to meet the needs of other countries.
Cucumbers pickled for export
The pickled cucumber is processed and exported throughout the world by the Indian states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. More than 20 nations, including the United States, France, South Korea, Japan, Israel, Canada, and Germany, import pickled cucumbers.
Gherkin farming on a contract basis
According to statistics, 90,000 small and marginal farmers across India grow gherkins under contract farming. These farmers have a 65,000-acre annual production area. On average, a gherkin farmer makes Rs 80,000, with a net income of Rs 40,000.
Gherkins’ crop cycle
Because gherkins are a 90-day crop, farmers can harvest two crops per year.
APEDA’s Steps
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has also undertaken many infrastructure development, product promotion in international markets, and food safety management systems throughout processing units activities.
Companies that produce and export gherkins are ISO, IFS, BRC, FSSC 22000, or HACCP certified, or they have all of the certifications.
What exactly is a Gherkin?
Pickled cucumber is another name for gherkin. It’s a cucumber that’s been pickled in vinegar, brine, or another solution and allowed to ferment.
