Gherkin exporters seek duty reimbursement to tide over US tariff impact
Indian exporters of gherkins — small cucumbers pickled in brine — are reeling from a steep tariff hike imposed by the Trump administration. With the US being their largest market, exporters are urging the government to reimburse the duty to cushion the blow.
“Exports of gherkins from India, which had slowed down when the 25 per cent tariff was imposed, have now stopped after it has been increased to 50 per cent. As gherkins are processed as per the specific requirement of each market, we request the government to reimburse the applicable duty for over the next four months till the shipments are made,” said Pradeep Pooviah, Vice-President, Indian Gherkin Exporters Association.
60% of US imports
Exporters source gherkins from farmers under the contract farming model, which has been well established over the past two decades in parts of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Over half of the 50 gherkin processing and exporting units are located in Karnataka, the major producer. An estimated 60,000 acres is under gherkin in these States and thousands of small and marginal farmers are engaged in the cultivation. Over 99 per cent of the gherkin produced in the country are exported as there are hardly any takers in the domestic market.
“We have procured the gherkins from farmers and processed as per the specifications of our customers and brands for the super market,” Pooviah said. Providing a support through reimbursement of duty will help the Indian industry avert a crisis and maintain supply to the consumers, while ensuring payments to the farmers, he said.
Indian gherkin exporters compete withMexico, Canada and even Turkiye. The Indian processed gherkins account for about 60 per cent of the US imports with others being from Canada and Mexico, which supply fresh gherkins to the US.
India’s exports of gherkins and cucumbers touched a record $306.72 million during 2024-25 — up from $256.58 million during 2023-24. Higher freight costs last fiscal had made the Indian gherkins uncompetitive in the markets like the US and Russia, when compared to other origins resulting in lower volumes.
Published on August 12, 2025
