Polish field cucumber area rises to 5,439 ha; labour remains a limiting factor

In 2026, the cultivated area for field cucumbers in Poland increased for the first time in several years, reaching 5,439 ha according to official data, with production concentrated in Mazowieckie, Świętokrzyskie and Łódzkie voivodships.

According to ARiMR data, the total area under field cucumber cultivation in Poland in 2026 is 5,438.60 ha, up by over 430 ha compared to 2025. This is the first acreage increase since 2021, though the total remains well below the 2021 peak of 6,796 ha. The largest cucumber-producing regions are Mazowieckie (1,564.87 ha), Świętokrzyskie (779.37 ha), Łódzkie (731.18 ha), and Wielkopolskie (631.55 ha), with additional significant plantings in Kujawsko-Pomorskie and Małopolskie voivodships.

Labour availability continues to be a major constraint for cucumber growers, as hand harvesting remains standard. The demand for seasonal workers has grown along with the acreage, but shortages persist and are cited as a key barrier to further expansion. Experiences from previous years, including periods of high humidity that increased disease risk and protection costs, also influence planting decisions.

Despite the acreage rise, the sector faces demographic challenges. Industry voices highlight a decline in horticultural education, with few students enrolling in horticulture-related studies. This trend raises concerns about the long-term supply of skilled labour and potential successors for existing cucumber farms, which could impact future domestic supply and industry continuity.

No current wholesale or farm-gate cucumber price data are available for late June or early July 2026 from the provided sources. However, the previous years' stable or encouraging prices are reported to have supported the decision by some growers to maintain or slightly expand their plantings for the 2026 season.

Weather conditions and the need for effective disease management remain significant factors for the 2026 cucumber harvest, especially in key growing regions. The overall increase in area may lead to higher domestic supply if weather and labour conditions allow timely and complete harvests.

Material prepared by the editorial team of fresh-market.info, editor Artur Spiker