India is the largest exporter of gherkins in the world, with exports of $114 million during April-October 2020 - 21 According to the Commerce and Industry Ministry, India exported gherkins to 1,23, 846 metric tons.
Gherkins are exported under two categories - cucumbers and gherkins which are prepared and preserved by vinegar or acetic acid and those that are provisionally preserved.
In 2020 -- 21 India shipped 2,23, 515 metric tons of cucumber and gherkins worth $223 million.
Gherkin cultivation, processing and exports started in Karnataka in the early 1990s and extended to the neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Nearly 15 per cent of the world's gherkin requirement is grown in India.
There are 51 major companies that are producing and exporting gherkins in drums and ready-to- eat consumer packs. In India, the cultivation of gherkins takes place under contract farming by around 90,000 small and marginal farmers with an annual production area of 65,000 acres.
A farmer produces four metric tons per acre and earns about 80,000 with a net income of Rs 40,000, according to the ministry. Gherkin has a 90 day crop, and the farmers take two crops a year. Here processing plants of international standards have been established to cater to the requirements of foreign buyers.
Gherkins is currently exported to more than 20 countries. The United States, Canada, Japan, Belgium, Russia, China, Sri Lanka, Australia, Australia, Spain, South Korea, Canada, Japan, and Israel are some of the major destinations of Gherkins' exports to more than 20 countries.