High cucumber prices in the Netherlands and Spain impact European markets
Cucumber export prices from Almería averaged €1.55/kg in 2025, while Dutch cucumbers exceeded €1.17/kg in July 2026 due to weather-related shortages in the UK and across Europe.
Almería was the world’s leading exporter of cucumbers by value in 2025, shipping 554.93 million kg at an average price of €1.51/kg, totaling €835.99 million. Spain as a whole exported 766.28 million kg of cucumbers, valued at €1,185.44 million, with an average export price of €1.55/kg. The Netherlands exported 522.95 million kg of cucumbers in 2025 (+28.6% over 2016), with a total value of €683.32 million and an average price of €1.31/kg. In July 2026, Dutch wholesale cucumber prices exceeded £1 per piece (over €1.17 at current rates), driven by tight supply and high demand, especially from the UK, where shortages have been reported due to extreme weather. British supermarkets are paying these higher Dutch prices or facing empty shelves. The UK remains only 20% self-sufficient in cucumbers, relying heavily on imports from the Netherlands and Spain. Recent extreme heat across Europe and North Africa has caused reduced yields and early flower abortion in Spain and Morocco, limiting their supply to the European market. As a result, the Netherlands became the primary supplier, further raising prices. Spanish cucumber volumes are expected to recover in the coming weeks, with new Dutch plantings also boosting upcoming supply. In Germany, cucumber prices in July 2026 remained below last year's levels, but since week 28 (early July), prices have been rising due to lower supply volumes caused by weather fluctuations. The expansion of greenhouse area in northern Germany has increased production capacity, but current supply is still somewhat limited. The UK retailer Sainsbury’s has responded to supply challenges by signing 10-year deals with major British growers, aiming to increase domestic cucumber production and ensure year-round supply. Polish importers and wholesale markets are exposed to higher European prices, particularly when UK and German buyers compete for limited Dutch and Spanish cucumbers.
Material prepared by the editorial team of fresh-market.info, editor Artur Spiker