Pickles Market

Market Overview

The global pickles market was valued at USD 11.10 billion in 2018 and is expected to reach a value of USD 14.62 billion by the end of 2026, with an anticipated CAGR of 3.5% during the forecast period, 2019–2026.

Pickles are preserved relishes consisting of vegetables or fruits. Pickling is the process of preserving or increasing the lifespan of food items by either anaerobic fermentation in brine or immersion in vinegar. Commonly pickled food items include fruits, vegetables, eggs, and meats. The pickling process usually affects food’s flavor and texture and ensures preservation of perishable foods for months. Antimicrobial herbs and spices such as garlic, cinnamon, mustard seeds, and cloves are normally added in the pickling process. Pickles are largely consumed with meals as taste enhancers, and toppings on sandwiches, hotdogs, and hamburgers. Most pickles are well known for their health benefits such as improved digestion, reduced ulcers, antioxidant properties, and minerals and vitamins.

Market Dynamics

Pickles are a rich source of necessary nutrients such asiron, vitamins, potassium, and calcium, which is a key factor that drives their consumption. They also possess antioxidants, which prevent free radicals from attacking the human body. Pickles also help in digestion as they have prebiotic properties.  The increasing demand for organic pickles is expected to drive the growth of the global pickles market during the forecast period. Additionally, the booming food service sector is also contributing to the increasing demand for pickles around the globe, which is likely to propel market growth.

Furthermore, the increasing popularity of non-GMO (genetically modified organisms), organic pickles and introduction of innovative products with better taste that target health concerns are some of the opportunities available in the global pickles market.

The lack of preservatives in organic pickles decreases their shelf-life, which is one of the key restraining factors hampering market growth.  

Segmental Analysis

The global pickles market can be segmented by type, taste, and distribution channel.

By Type

The market has been segmented into fruit, vegetable, meat, and others. Fruit pickles witness demand from global consumers, owing to the benefits associated with fruits pickles; for instance, mango and lemon pickles prevent morning sickness and help in weight loss and good clotting of blood due to the presence of vitamin K.

Based on Taste

The market has been segmented into sweet, salty, and sour pickles. The sour pickles segment is projected to grow at a considerable rate during the forecast period (2016–2026) as sour pickles are rich in beneficial bacteria, food enzymes, and others. Sour pickles also offer a longer shelf life as compared to their counterparts.  

In terms of Distribution Channel

The market has been segmented into supermarkets & hypermarkets, convenience stores, independent retailers, online, and others. The online segment is expected to gain traction, due to the availability of a wide range of pickles and the benefits associated with online purchasing such as door step delivery and discounts.

Regional Analysis

Geographically, the global pickles market has been segmented into five regions, namely North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America and the Middle East & Africa (LAMEA).

Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing region during the forecasted period, owing to the high demand for spicy products in countries across the region. Growing processed food industry, especially in India, is another factor contributing to market growth in the region. In India, pickles have been traditionally used since centuries.

The Asia Pacific pickle market is projected to witness remarkable growth during the forecast period, owing to government initiatives promoting investments. According to the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), the Indian food processing industry accounts for 32% of the country’s total market. Additionally, it is one of the largest industries in India and is estimated to rank fifth in terms of production, consumption, and export.

North America is slated to account for a prominent market share during the forecast period. Introduction of new flavors and health benefits associated with pickles have attracted younger consumers, which is expected to provide impetus to market growth further. Cucumber and olive are the two most popular flavors of pickles in the region. In North America, Canada and the U.S. were pegged to be the top importers of pickles during 2017.

Europe is expected to witness steady growth rate during the forecast period, owing to the growth of the region’s food and beverage sector. The increasing consumption of pickles as taste enhancers is further expected to drive market growth in the region.

Latin America is projected to be a lucrative region in the global pickle market, owing to the high consumption of processed products in the region, especially pickles.

The Middle East and Africa region is estimated to register sluggish growth during the forecast period, due to lack of knowledge, slow infrastructural development, low availability of resources, and less disposable income.

Pickles Market Segmentation

By Type

• Fruit Pickles
• Vegetable Pickles
• Meat Pickles
• Others

By Taste

• Sweet Pickles
• Salty Pickles
• Sour Pickles

By Distribution Channel

• Supermarkets and Hypermarkets
• Convenience Stores
• Independent Retailers
• Online
• Others

Regions Covered

• North America

  • U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico

• Europe

  • U.K.
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe

• Asia-Pacific

  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific

• Latin America

  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Colombia
  • Rest of Latin America

• MEA

  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Rest of MEA