Key facts
- Market guides for 14 countries, each with destination requirements and transit times.
- Certifications available from the supply base: FSSAI licence, APEDA RCMC, HACCP, ISO 22000, FSSC 22000 and more.
- Typical minimum order: One 20' container (about 80 drums or about 1,800-2,200 cartons of jars) (typical).
Product overview
India is one of the world's largest exporters of gherkins. The crop is grown under contract farming, mainly in Karnataka (around Bengaluru, Tumakuru, Chitradurga), Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, and processed by export-oriented units. APEDA groups gherkins under processed vegetables (US$ 777 million in FY2024-25 for the group) and notes gherkin exports grew 19.5% that year; a gherkin-only value is not available in the sources used.
Gherkins are exported in two main forms: provisionally preserved in brine or acetic acid in drums (for repacking by European and US picklers) and ready-to-eat in vinegar in glass jars or cans, often private-labelled. Grades are by count per kg, from tiny cornichons (1,000+ per kg) to larger gherkins (30-60 per kg).
Year-round production (several crops a year) gives India a supply advantage over seasonal European origins.
HS note: Gherkins provisionally preserved in brine (not for immediate consumption) fall under 0711 40; ready-to-eat in vinegar under 2001 10.
Specifications
| Count per kg | 1,000-2,000+ (cornichon); 300-400; 100-150; 60-90; 30-60 (typical grades) |
|---|---|
| Brine (drums) | Salt 8-12% / acetic acid as specified (typical) |
| Vinegar (jars) | Acidity about 0.8-1.5% acetic (typical) |
| Defects | Hollow/soft/crooked ≤ buyer tolerance (typical) |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
Cornichons / extra fine (1,000+ per kg)
Premium French-style.
Fine / medium (100-400 per kg)
Main European retail grades.
Large (30-90 per kg)
Slicing and sandwich gherkins.
Slices and relish
Cut formats for food service.
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drums | 220-240 L HDPE drums in brine/acetic acid | Bulk for repacking |
| Jars and cans | 190 ml-3 L jars; A10 cans | Private label |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP about 18-20 MT (drums) · 40' HC about 24-26 MT (jars, weight-limited). Glass jars are heavy; check payload
Customisation: Count grade, sweet/sour/dill recipes, jar formats, private label
Where we source in India
Producing regions and manufacturing clusters our supplier network draws from.
Karnataka
Tumakuru, Chitradurga, Bengaluru Rural, Hassan
Largest gherkin contract-farming base
Tamil Nadu
Dindigul, Krishnagiri
Processing units
Andhra Pradesh
Anantapur, Chittoor
Contract farming
Market requirements by region
European Union
Germany, France, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands are key buyers of drums and jars; EU pesticide MRLs and labelling rules apply.
United States & Canada
USA: the packing facility needs FDA Food Facility Registration, every shipment needs FDA Prior Notice, and the US importer must run FSVP supplier verification. US tariff treatment of Indian goods changed several times in 2025-26 (reciprocal tariffs, product exemptions, a Feb-2026 India-US framework and later court rulings) - verify the current duty for the HTS line before quoting landed cost. Gherkins in vinegar are acidified foods - the processor needs FDA FCE registration and SID process filing.
Australia & New Zealand
Australia: check the DAFF BICON case for this commodity (permit, treatment, inspection) and FSANZ labelling/country-of-origin rules; imported food is inspected under the Imported Food Inspection Scheme. Australian and New Zealand retailers buy gherkins in jars and cans; processed (acidified) gherkins are generally lower-risk than fresh produce but conditions must be checked.
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Quality control
- • Grading by count and defect tolerance
- • Brine/acidity and microbiological checks
- • Pesticide residue testing
- • Pre-shipment inspection on request
Certifications available
- • FSSAI licence
- • APEDA RCMC
- • HACCP
- • ISO 22000
- • FSSC 22000
- • BRCGS Food Safety
- • Halal certificate
- • Kosher certificate
- • US FDA registration / approval
Held by the producing supplier for the specific lot; copies shared with the quote.
Shipping documents
- • Commercial invoice
- • Packing list
- • Bill of lading
- • Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies)
- • Certificate of analysis
- • Health certificate (EIC) where required
- • FDA acidified food process filing (US jars)
Export markets
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between gherkins in brine and in vinegar?
Brine (provisionally preserved) gherkins are shipped in drums for repacking; vinegar-packed gherkins are ready to eat in jars or cans.
How are gherkins graded?
By count per kg - from cornichons at 1,000+ per kg down to large gherkins at 30-60 per kg.
Is supply seasonal?
Indian gherkins are grown in several crops a year, so supply is largely year-round.
Do you supply private-label jars?
Yes, partner processors pack gherkins in buyer-branded jars and cans.
Request a quote for Gherkins in Brine and Vinegar (Provisionally Preserved and Ready-to-Eat)
Tell us grade, quantity and destination. We reply with options, packaging and pricing on your Incoterm.
