PICKLING CUCUMBERS
In Michigan, pickling cucumber production is relatively stable--since almost all production is grown under contract-- and averages approximately 330,000 pounds per year. Pickling cucumbers are mainly produced in Van Buren, Gratiot, St. Joseph, Allegan and Arenac counties.
In the U.S., Michigan ranks number one in production of pickling cucumbers. Other important commercial producers are: North Carolina, Ohio, Washington, Oregon, Wisconsin, Indiana, Florida, California, Colorado, Mississippi, and Alabama.
Cucumbers are the fourth most cultivated vegetable crop in the world after tomatoes, brassicas (e.g., broccoli, spinach, cabbage), and onions. China is the leader in volume produced with a 61% share of total production. In a distant second place is Turkey with approximately 5% of total production, followed by Iran (4%),
the U.S. (3%) and Japan (2%).Main drivers of trade and production in the U.S. can be summarized as year-round supply of pickling cucumbers from other countries, quality products at more competitive prices, consumer preferences, and more service-oriented business models all of which are increasingly posting new challenges for the U.S and Michigan pickling industry.
- Pickle Packers presentation
Paper: Martinez, Lourdes and Suzanne Thornsbury. Domestic and International Factors in Pickle Markets (under revision). 2005.
