CUCUMBER AND GHERKINS

Gherkin is a term generally used to refer to a savoury pickled cucumber. Gherkins and commercial cucumbers belong to the same species (Cucumis sativus), but are from different cultivar groups. They are usually picked when 4 to 8 cm (1 to 3 in) in length and pickled in jars or cans with vinegar (often flavored with herbs, particularly dill; hence, "dill pickle") or brine. India has today emerged as the origin of the finest gherkin cultivation, processing and exporters to the every-growing world requirement.

Gherkin cultivation, processing and exports started in India during the early 1990s with a modest beginning in Karnataka State in South India and later extended to the neighboring states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. India exported 220939.2 MT of Cucumber & Gherkins, worth Rs. 1285.22 crores / 199.5 USD Millions during the year 2017-18 with major destinations being U S A, Belgium, Spain, France and Russia.

Gherkins are grown in contact with small and marginal farmers. Currently there are more than 1,00,000 small and marginal farmers who are engaged in the production of gherkins. Gherkins are cultivated exclusively on "contract farming'' basis The entire gamut of activities in the cultivation practices, followed by the farmers, processing standards etc., are adhered to by the Indian gherkin manufacturers to produce very high quality gherkins for the world markets. This is the industry, which has showcased the true and successful model of contract farming, with which the industry is able to have a good quality control over the final produce as per the requirement of the international market.

Initially processed gherkins were exported in bulk packing and since 2001 gherkins are being exported in "Ready-to-eat Jars". Gherkin industry in India is today fully oriented and its exports are mainly of two categories :-

a) Provisionally Preserved (preserved in vinegar,/acetic acid and brine): 

Gherkin exports are in bulk form in 220 litres, packed in food grade H.D.P.E. drums (High Density Poly Ethylene). This is later repacked by the importers into smaller, ready to eat consumer packs to suit their consumers' requirement.

b) Preserved in Vinegar:

These are ready to eat gherkins which are in smaller packs of jars and cans.

Quality assurance systems are meticulously followed in agricultural as well as the manufacturing process. Food safety & Adherence to customer specification is ensured all through the value chain. The industry has been found pro active in maintaining the quality standards as per the requirement of importing countries. Majority of processing units have implemented quality systems such as HACCP/ISO/BRC etc. as per the requirement of importers.

The country has exported 220939.2 MT of Cucumber & Gherkin to the world for the worth of Rs. 1285.22 crores / 199.5 USD Millions during the year 2017-18.