Cucumber
Cucumber is a type of creeping plant that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. It is mostly cultivated for its edible fruit. It is quite low in calories and nutritional values but its unique, delicate taste makes it a popular ingredient of salads and relishes. Its fruit is usually picked before they ripen, as small crunchy cucumbers are the most demanded. It can be cultivated both in colder and warmer climates but it is not particularly resistant to low temperatures, so in colder areas, it should be covered or planted inside greenhouses.
It is an annual plant characterized by its succulent, rough, and trailing stem. The plant produced leaves covered with petite hairs. The leaves have from three to five pointed lobes, and the stem additionally creates branched tendrils which are a natural way to stabilize and support the plant. The plant creates small yellow flowers characterized by its five petals. The fruit next turns into a type of berry also known as pepo. The plant requires lots of warmth and water in order to produce tasty and healthy fruit. It is quite demanding and can be affected by several common bacterial and fungal diseases such as Fusarium wilt, anthracnose, or downy mildew.
Cucumber is especially favored for its mild and refreshing taste and high water content. The fruit brings relief when eaten in hot weather. It is usually eaten raw in savory food but cucumber can be used in some beauty products. The fruit contains a range of various vitamins such as vitamin A and many vitamins of the B group as well as antioxidants, especially the ones known as lignans. Cucumber has great effects on the skin condition as it helps with proper hydration but it may also prevent some serious diseases such as cancer or cardiovascular diseases. It is also quite significant for diabetes as it helps to control the blood sugar level and stop glucose from rising too high.
The largest production of cucumber takes place in China where almost 61949091 tonnes is produced each year. The second-largest producer is Russian Federation followed by Turkey and Iran. Poland is the 11th world’s biggest cucumber producer.
Global cucumber production
The cucumber is a widely cultivated vegetable. The major producing countries of cucumber are China, India, the United States, Turkey, and Iran. In 2018, these five countries accounted for around 70% of the global production of cucumbers.
The world production of cucumbers was estimated to be around 33 million metric tons in 2018. China is the leading producer of cucumbers with a production volume of around 13 million metric tons in that year. This was followed by India, with a production volume of around 5 million metric tons. The United States is the third-largest producer of cucumbers, with a production volume of around 3 million metric tons in 2018.
The global demand for cucumbers is increasing due to the growing popularity of healthy eating and the rising preference for cucumber-based salads and snacks. The United States is the largest market for cucumbers, followed by Europe and Asia. In the United States, cucumbers are mostly consumed in the form of pickles.
The global production of cucumbers is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. The growing demand from major markets such as the United States, Europe, and Asia is expected to drive the growth of the cucumber market. The increasing popularity of healthy eating is a major factor driving the growth of the cucumber market. Cucumbers are rich in nutrients and have several health benefits.