EUROPE – Recent developments in cucumber production across Europe highlight significant challenges for growers and market dynamics.
A surge in bacterial infections and fluctuating market prices are reshaping the cucumber industry.
Poland faces cucumber harvest crisis
In Poland, cucumber growers face a troubling season as bacteria and diseases have severely impacted their harvest.
High temperatures and humidity have created ideal conditions for harmful diseases. “The warm and humid weather has contributed to a severe outbreak of fungal diseases like powdery mildew and bacterial angular spot,” explains a local farmer.
These conditions have decimated a large portion of the crop, leading to a drastically shortened harvest period.
Typically, Polish cucumbers are harvested over a month. However, due to the diseases, many regions saw their harvests end after just one week.
As a result, Poland’s cucumber supply is significantly reduced. The Ministry of Agriculture of the Netherlands reports that Poland is compensating for this shortfall with record imports.
According to a report by EastFruit, from January to April 2024, Poland imported 38,000 tons of cucumbers, with Spain (13 850 t), Greece (7 690 t), and Germany (4 980t) being the top suppliers.
Ukraine’s cucumber prices drop
Meanwhile, Ukraine is experiencing a decrease in cucumber prices. Analysts from EastFruit report that the price of greenhouse cucumbers has fallen below last year’s levels.
This decline, starting in early June, is attributed to a seasonal increase in market supply from summer greenhouses.
Currently, cucumbers from Ukrainian greenhouse farms are being sold at 20-45 UAH/kg (approximately USD 0.50-1.12/kg), which is about 22% lower than the previous week.
The seasonal increase in supply has driven down prices, though experts note that the impact of rainy weather on cucumber availability has somewhat mitigated the potential for even lower prices.
