Introduction
Cucumbers have become one of the most demanded and consumed horticultural products in Europe and America. They are an excellent alternative to enjoy their flavor, texture and nutritional capacity. There are different types of Chilean, Spanish, Mexican, Andean and European cucumbers. These five are the most popular.
In Europe the most common cucumbers are gazpacho and slicer. The gazpacho is a very low growing plant that prefers soils rich in organic matter. The slicer is a larger type of cucumber and is know as a “slicer”. It is characterize by its height, size and the shape of its fruits, which range from elongated to round. Both are excellent for the food industry, as they are use in salads or as an appetizer.
In Latin America, the most popular cucumbers are Chilean, Spanish and Mexican. The Chilean cucumber is spherical in shape, with an acidic flavor and an almost translucent skin that. Although not cooked, remains a popular tradition to serve as a side dish for any lunch. The Spanish cucumber is larger, with a yellowish rind and a puzzling flavor. And finally, the Mexican cucumber comes in a flattened shape. With a mild flavor, a very meaty texture and a dark green color.
Andes is the region that produces the most types of cucumbers in the world
And the most popular ones are the Peruvian and Bolivian cucumber. The Peruvian cucumber is of medium size, with a deep green color and a thick, firm skin. It is well adapted to tropical climatic conditions and is widely use for juices, soups, sauces and as an appetizer. For its part, the Bolivian cucumber is large. Steep and chafed with a typical length and weight, and a very rough skin.
We can say that the five most popular types of cucumbers in Europe and America are gazpacho, slicer, Chilean, Spanish, Mexican, Peruvian and Bolivian cucumbers. They offer different flavors and textures, which are adapt to different gastronomic uses. In addition, these cucumbers are rich in nutrients, which makes them a healthy alternative for our daily diet.
Leading countries in the production of cucumbers and other vegetables
In the world there are several countries that stand out in the production of vegetables, specifically talking about cucumber, these are the main producers. This is due to their climatic conditions and land suitable for its cultivation.
China is the world’s leading cucumber producer with an estimated production of 16.8 million metric tons, representing 25% of world production. This is mainly due to the location and climatic conditions of the territory suitable for growing this vegetable. The territory has fertile soils and a climate that is suitable for its cultivation, in addition to the investments made in technology to maximize yields.
Mexico is a second largest producer in the world with an estimated 17.3 percent of world production of 4.8 million metric tons. This is mainly because its tropical climates are optimal for growing various vegetables, including cucumber. In addition, Mexico is know for having a sustainable agricultural industry that respects the environment while meeting the demand for cucumber throughout the continent.
India is a third largest producer and exporter, with an estimated production of 3.1 million tons. Indian cucumber production is found in a large number of regions throughout the country. Its production can be enhance by geographical location, suitable climate, technological investment and various other strategies.
In fourth, Turkey is the producer that gets 8.05% of its production (2.2 million tons) from it. According to several measurements, this production is due to its territory with fertile soil, suitable climates to grow cucumber and a lot of technology and agricultural machinery in use.
Spain is the fifth country with an estimated production of 575.5 thousand metric tons. The country has ideal conditions for cucumber cultivation, such as its soil quality, temperate climate and diverse technologies. These factors contribute to the high quality and quantity of cucumbers produced in Spain. This has also served to contribute to the country’s organic agriculture, allowing the production of this vegetable in a natural way.
Bush should be recognize as one of the world’s leading producers, with an estimated production of 459 thousand metric tons
This is due to the application of the use of modern techniques and technologies for cucumber production. In order to obtain appropriate yields, a large part of the farmers in this country concentrate on the use of greenhouse techniques. These techniques allow more effective control over climate, humidity and other climatic factors important for cucumber production. Finally, we have Italy as the sixth largest producer of this vegetable with an estimated 390 thousand metric tons. This is due to the country’s ideal geographical location, soil suitable for production and a climate suitable for cucumber cultivation. Following this, Italy is also notorious for its organic vegetable production, where the use of pesticides and other chemical elements for production is limited resulting in very healthy cucumbers.
The world is full of countries that excel in the production of cucumbers and other vegetables. China leads the world in production, followed by Mexico, India, Turkey, Spain, Bush and Italy. These countries stand out due to specific factors such as climate, soils, technology, chemical elimination and quality management. This contributes to the development of responsible growers capable of meeting the demand for quality cucumbers.
What future is foreseen for cucumber production globally?
Cucumber production at a global level is a reality for which great changes are expect in the future. The production of this vegetable has grown considerably in recent years, highlighting its importance for the world economy. While Europe is at the forefront of global cucumber production, with a share of around 40%, according to the most recent data, other countries such as Morocco are showing great growth in production, with an increase of 16% since 2017, However, there are also a couple of factors to consider when talking about the future of cucumber production globally. Combating climate change is one of them, as changes in climate variability are having a marked influence on cucumber production. A higher incidence and frequency of drought and temperature extremes can significantly influence cucumber crop yields.
An important factor is related to the aging of the population worldwide. This could have an impact on cucumber supply globally, as some farmers would retire, resulting in a decrease in production. However, this could be offset by an increase in investment in research and development of new cultivation techniques that will allow farmers to increase their yields. On the other hand, technological advances will also have an effect on cucumber production globally. The automation of cultivation processes and the introduction of new technological tools could contribute to improving cucumber genetics, as well as allowing for greater optimization of cultivation processes.
Technological advances in the collection of field data
Such as the monitoring of parameters like soil, light and water, should be highlighted. This will help growers make better crop management decisions, which in turn will contribute to increased yields.
It is expect that global cucumber production will continue to grow in the coming years. The implementation of new cultivation techniques as well as the use of new technologies can contribute to maximizing yields, resulting in lower costs for growers and consumers. The fight against climate change will have an important influence, but if countries continue to work on ways to address it, global cucumber production is expect to remain optimistic. Finally, the aging population may have a huge impact on production, but at the same time it could be shape by the availability of new technologies and cultivation techniques.