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Processed food

Export pickles and preserved vegetables

Gherkins in brine for European brands, and Indian mango, lime and mixed pickles for diaspora shelves.

Free to exportHS 2001
HS code
2001
Vegetables, fruit and other edible parts prepared or preserved by vinegar or acetic acid: gherkins (2001 10), mango, lime and mixed pickles (2001 90).
Export policy
Free to export
Free under ITC(HS) Schedule 2.
Registrations
5
IEC, GST and those below
India’s exports, 2025-26
US$ 313 mn
to 104 countries

What is exported

Two different trades sit under this heading. Gherkins grown on contract in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are preserved in brine or vinegar and sold in bulk drums or jars to European and US brands. Indian oil-based pickles (mango, lime, mixed, chilli) go in jars and pouches to diaspora grocers. APEDA reports processed-vegetable exports went mainly to the USA, the UK, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia in 2025-26.

Varieties, grades and forms

  • Gherkins (2001 10)Graded by count per kg; in brine, vinegar or provisional preservation in drums and jars.
  • Mango pickleThe biggest Indian-style pickle line.
  • Lime, mixed, chilli and garlic picklesRegional styles from Andhra, Kerala, Gujarat and Punjab.
  • Preserved onions and vegetables in vinegarSmall onions and jalapeño-style chillies for food service.

Where it is grown or made

  • Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra PradeshGherkin contract farming and processing around Bengaluru Rural, Tumakuru, Hosur and Anantapur.
  • Andhra Pradesh and KeralaTraditional pickle makers for diaspora brands.
  • Gujarat, Maharashtra and PunjabLarge branded pickle manufacturers.

Export packing

  • Gherkins: HDPE drums of brine for repackers, or glass jars for retail.
  • Indian pickles: glass or PET jars with induction seals, and pouches, in strong cartons.

Who buys abroad

  • European and US pickle brands and repackers (gherkins)
  • Indian and South Asian grocery distributors in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia and the Gulf
  • Gulf hypermarket chains and their private labels

The quality buyers ask for

Gherkin grades
Graded by count per kg (number of pieces), firmness and colour
Acidity and pH
Equilibrium pH 4.6 or below for acidified foods under US rules; brine strength to the buyer’s specification
Additives
Only colours, preservatives and additives permitted in the destination, at permitted levels
Shelf life
Buyers usually want at least two-thirds of the shelf life left on arrival

Certificates

  • FSSAI licenceRequiredCentral licence from FSSAI for the premises where the food is made, packed or stored for export. Apply on FoSCoS.
  • APEDA RCMCRequiredRegistration with APEDA, issued as an RCMC on the DGFT portal. Since 15 Sep 2026, a consignment up to ₹3 lakh FOB can go without it.
  • ISO 22000 / FSSC 22000Often askedFood-safety management certification; FSSC 22000 is GFSI-recognised, which large retailers and brands look for.
  • BRCGS Food SafetyOften askedGFSI-recognised standard asked for by UK and many EU retailers for private label.
  • US FDA food-facility registrationOften askedEvery facility making food for the USA must register with the FDA, and each shipment needs prior notice. Canned and acidified foods also need FCE/SID process filing.
  • HalalOften askedAsked for by many buyers in the Gulf, Malaysia and Indonesia. Use a body the destination recognises.
  • KosherOften askedAsked for by some US buyers and ingredient buyers supplying kosher brands.

Shipping, storage and shelf life

Container load

Palletised cartons in 20-ft or 40-ft dry containers; mixed-product loads are common.

How it travels

Sea freight; LCL or air for samples and first small orders.

Storage

Cool, dry and away from sunlight; avoid heat inside containers in summer.

Shelf life

Typically 12–24 months for jars and drums, depending on recipe and process.

What goes on the pack and carton

  • EU retail packs (Regulation 1169/2011): name of the food, ingredients with allergens highlighted, net quantity, best-before or use-by date, storage conditions, the EU importer’s name and address, origin where required — in the language of the country of sale.
  • USA (21 CFR 101): product name, net quantity in US and metric units, ingredients, major allergens (including sesame), the packer’s or distributor’s name and place of business, Nutrition Facts unless exempt, and “Product of India”.
  • Gulf countries: Arabic text (Arabic plus English is normal), production and expiry dates, net weight, country of origin and importer details. Confirm current rules with your importer.
  • Lot or batch number on every pack and carton, matching the invoice and packing list, so the goods can be traced and recalled.
Where to get it tested

Use an FSSAI-notified laboratory (fssai.gov.in → notified labs) or an NABL-accredited lab with your product and test in scope (nabl-india.org). APEDA-recognised labs are listed on apeda.gov.in → Quality → Recognised Organisations. Ask the buyer which lab reports they accept before you send samples.

Benefits of exporting this product

Where to register

  • FSSAIFood business licence. Food exporters come under the Central licence; apply on FoSCoS and keep it valid for the premises you make or pack from.foscos.fssai.gov.in ↗
  • APEDARegistration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) for APEDA-scheduled products. Apply on the DGFT portal after you have your IEC.dgft.gov.in ↗
  • Buyer-country food registrationMany importing countries register the foreign plant or the product — for example US FDA food-facility registration, GACC registration for China, or product registration in some Gulf states. Check APEDA’s importing-country regulations page.apeda.gov.in ↗

Quality and checks

  • pH, acidity, salt and oil cover controlled so the product is stable; for the USA, acidified foods need FDA process filing (21 CFR 114).
  • Only colours, preservatives and additives permitted in the destination, at permitted levels.
  • Aflatoxin and colour checks on chilli and spice inputs; no non-permitted colours.
  • Labels made for the destination: ingredients, allergens, net quantity, best-before date, importer details and the language that country requires.
How to start small

Start with two or three bestselling pickles made in an FSSAI-licensed kitchen, redesign the label for one market, and ship cartons by LCL to a diaspora distributor. Since 15 September 2026, a consignment worth up to ₹3 lakh FOB does not need an RCMC (DGFT Notification 36/2026-27); licences that a law requires, such as FSSAI, still apply.

Where new exporters go wrong

  • Shipping with the Indian label — wrong format, undeclared allergens or a non-permitted colour gets the goods detained or destroyed.
  • Skipping US FDA facility registration or prior notice — the shipment is refused at the US port.
  • Leaking jars — use induction seals and test packs under heat before shipping.

Documents this product needs

Schemes that apply

Sources (6)
  1. APEDA — Processed Vegetables (exports and destinations, 2025-26)
  2. DGFT — Appendix 4R, RoDTEP schedule for DTA exports w.e.f. 10 Oct 2024 (Notification No. 32, 30 Sep 2024)
  3. US eCFR — 21 CFR Part 114, acidified foods
  4. APEDA — Importing countries’ regulations
  5. FSSAI — FoSCoS food licensing portal
  6. DGFT Notification 36/2026-27 (15 Sep 2026) — no RCMC needed for consignments up to ₹3 lakh FOB

Trade data

Indian pickles and preserved vegetables exports in numbers

From the Department of Commerce’s TradeStat, country by country. US$, Indian financial years (April–March).

Exports in 2025-26
US$ 313 mn
+8.3% a year on average, 2020-21 to 2025-26
Change from 2024-25
↑ +4.6%
US$ 300 mn → US$ 313 mn
Buyer countries
104
Average export price
US$ 1.24
per kg · 2,52,502 tonnes shipped · US$ 1.26 the year before
United States of America: US$ 52.8 mnGermany: US$ 49.1 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 35.1 mnCanada: US$ 33.7 mnAustralia: US$ 21.6 mnNetherlands: US$ 17.3 mnRussia: US$ 12.4 mnFrance: US$ 11.3 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 8.6 mnSpain: US$ 6.9 mnPoland: US$ 6.8 mnIraq: US$ 6.4 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 5.9 mnBelgium: US$ 5.6 mnNew Zealand: US$ 5.1 mnSweden: US$ 2.8 mnKuwait: US$ 2.2 mnChile: US$ 1.7 mnIsrael: US$ 1.6 mnJapan: US$ 1.5 mnQatar: US$ 1.4 mnOman: US$ 1.3 mnSingapore: US$ 1.3 mnUnited States of America: US$ 52.8 mnUnited States of AmericaGermany: US$ 49.1 mnGermanyUnited Kingdom: US$ 35.1 mnCanada: US$ 33.7 mnAustralia: US$ 21.6 mnAustraliaNetherlands: US$ 17.3 mnRussia: US$ 12.4 mnFrance: US$ 11.3 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 8.6 mnUnited Arab EmiratesSpain: US$ 6.9 mnSpainPoland: US$ 6.8 mnIraq: US$ 6.4 mnIraqSaudi Arabia: US$ 5.9 mnBelgium: US$ 5.6 mnNew Zealand: US$ 5.1 mnSweden: US$ 2.8 mnKuwait: US$ 2.2 mnChile: US$ 1.7 mnIsrael: US$ 1.6 mnJapan: US$ 1.5 mnQatar: US$ 1.4 mnOman: US$ 1.3 mnSingapore: US$ 1.3 mnIndia
Where Indian pickles and preserved vegetables goes — among our 80 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 211 mn2112020-212021-22: US$ 207 mn2072021-222022-23: US$ 215 mn2152022-232023-24: US$ 264 mn2642023-242024-25: US$ 300 mn3002024-252025-26: US$ 313 mn3132025-26
India’s pickles and preserved vegetables exports, year by year · US$ million

The price cycle

India’s average export price per kg each year (total value ÷ total quantity). Highest in 2024-25, lowest in 2021-22 — a 11% swing between them. Keep this swing in mind when you quote.

2020-21: US$ 1.24 per kg2021-22: US$ 1.14 per kg1.142022-23: US$ 1.20 per kg2024-25: US$ 1.26 per kg1.262025-26: US$ 1.24 per kg1.242020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26
Average export price of Indian pickles and preserved vegetables · US$ per kg · dotted = year in between not available

What next: a projection from the trend

The past trend carried forward — not a forecast by any authority. Sudden changes in policy, prices or demand are not in it.

2020-21: US$ 211 mn2020-212021-22: US$ 207 mn2021-222022-23: US$ 215 mn2022-232023-24: US$ 264 mn2023-242024-25: US$ 300 mn2024-252025-26: US$ 313 mn2025-262026-27: US$ 345 mn (US$ 315 mn – US$ 379 mn)3452026-272027-28: US$ 379 mn (US$ 342 mn – US$ 420 mn)3792027-28
India’s pickles and preserved vegetables exports and projection · hollow bars = projection, line = likely range
By 2027-28: US$ 379 mn

Likely range US$ 342 mn to US$ 420 mn.

Trend
+9.9% a year
Fit (R²)
0.89
Based on
6 years of official figures

Method: a straight line through the logarithm of yearly exports (log-linear regression); range = ±1 standard error.

Biggest buyer countries

By value in 2025-26. Change is against 2024-25.

Name2025-26Change
1United States of AmericaUS$ 52.8 mn-24%
2GermanyUS$ 49.1 mn+31%
3United KingdomUS$ 35.1 mn+6.2%
4CanadaUS$ 33.7 mn+35.9%
5AustraliaUS$ 21.6 mn+1.4%
6NetherlandsUS$ 17.3 mn+22.8%
7RussiaUS$ 12.4 mn+9.3%
8FranceUS$ 11.3 mn+1.6%
9United Arab EmiratesUS$ 8.6 mn+1.3%
10SpainUS$ 6.9 mn-11.9%
11PolandUS$ 6.8 mn+1.6%
12IraqUS$ 6.4 mn+8%

Where demand is rising and falling

Only countries that buy at least US$ 1 million or 1% of India’s exports of this product. Change from 2024-25 to 2025-26.

High demand

  1. BelgiumUS$ 3.2 mn → US$ 5.6 mn+72.5%
  2. CanadaUS$ 24.8 mn → US$ 33.7 mn+35.9%
  3. GermanyUS$ 37.5 mn → US$ 49.1 mn+31%
  4. NetherlandsUS$ 14.1 mn → US$ 17.3 mn+22.8%

Low demand

  1. United States of AmericaUS$ 69.5 mn → US$ 52.8 mn-24%
  2. SpainUS$ 7.8 mn → US$ 6.9 mn-11.9%

Which forms sell, and at what price

India’s exports by 8-digit tariff line, 2025-26. Average price = total value ÷ total quantity (TradeStat): the average of every shipment on that line, not the price of any one deal.

Tariff lineValue 2025-26ChangeQuantityAverage price
Cucmbrs and ghrkns prpd/prsvd by acetic acid2001 10 00 · Vegetable preparations, cucumbers and gherkins, prepared or preserved by vinegar or acetic acidUS$ 207 mn+4.1%1,83,238 tonnesUS$ 1.13 per kgwas US$ 1.14
Other edible parts of plants prepared or preserved by vinegar/acetic acid2001 90 00 · Vegetable preparations, vegetables, fruit, nuts and other edible parts of plants, prepared or preserved by…US$ 106 mn+5.6%69,264 tonnesUS$ 1.54 per kgwas US$ 1.60

The world market

Each country’s own recorded exports and imports in UN Comtrade, 2023 (the latest year nearly every country has reported).

World imports
US$ 2.74 bn
2023
India among exporters
#4
of 127 countries
India’s share of world exports
9.1%
US$ 252 mn
Left for others to win
US$ 2.52 bn
exported by other countries

Top exporters — your competitors

  1. 1TürkiyeUS$ 408 mn 14.7%
  2. 2MexicoUS$ 308 mn 11.1%
  3. 3GermanyUS$ 289 mn 10.4%
  4. 4IndiaUS$ 252 mn 9.1%
  5. 5USAUS$ 152 mn 5.5%
  6. 6ChinaUS$ 147 mn 5.3%
  7. 7GreeceUS$ 126 mn 4.5%
  8. 8EgyptUS$ 120 mn 4.3%
  9. 9SpainUS$ 107 mn 3.8%
  10. 10NetherlandsUS$ 98.2 mn 3.5%

Biggest buyers in the world

  1. 1USAUS$ 633 mn 23.1%
  2. 2GermanyUS$ 289 mn 10.6%
  3. 3United KingdomUS$ 169 mn 6.2%
  4. 4CanadaUS$ 163 mn 5.9%
  5. 5FranceUS$ 151 mn 5.5%
  6. 6NetherlandsUS$ 102 mn 3.7%
  7. 7JapanUS$ 66.7 mn 2.4%
  8. 8PolandUS$ 58.5 mn 2.1%
  9. 9AustraliaUS$ 54.7 mn 2%
  10. 10AustriaUS$ 54.5 mn 2%

Opportunity: what these countries buy from the world, and from India

Each country’s own recorded imports in UN Comtrade, latest year it has reported. The long light part of each bar is demand other countries are filling today.

United States of AmericaUS$ 679 mnIndia 9.2% · gap US$ 617 mn
GermanyUS$ 323 mnIndia 12.3% · gap US$ 284 mn
CanadaUS$ 200 mnIndia 11.3% · gap US$ 177 mn
United KingdomUS$ 169 mnIndia 17.4% · gap US$ 140 mn
FranceUS$ 154 mnIndia 15.4% · gap US$ 130 mn
NetherlandsUS$ 112 mnIndia 4.9% · gap US$ 107 mn
JapanUS$ 66.1 mnIndia 1.8% · gap US$ 64.9 mn
Saudi ArabiaUS$ 67.3 mnIndia 10.2% · gap US$ 60.4 mn
SpainUS$ 56.3 mnIndia 16.7% · gap US$ 46.9 mn
South KoreaUS$ 44.8 mnIndia 1.9% · gap US$ 43.9 mn

TradeStat’s 2023-24 quantities are double-counted, so that year is left out of the price. Sources: TradeStat — Export Import Data Bank, Department of Commerce · UN Comtrade database (United Nations Statistics Division) · Figures taken 29 October 2026.

Step by step

How to export pickles and preserved vegetables

India is one of the world’s leading suppliers of gherkins, grown on contract in the south and shipped in brine to pickle brands in Europe, North America and elsewhere; Turkey, Vietnam and Sri Lanka compete. Indian-style oil pickles are a separate, diaspora-led trade dominated by branded Indian makers. The openings are certified gherkin processing for global brands and premium regional pickles with clean labels for diaspora and mainstream ethnic aisles.

  1. 01Pick the trade

    Decide between bulk gherkins for brands or retail Indian pickles for diaspora shops.

  2. 02Fix the recipe for the market

    Check every colour, preservative and oil against destination rules.

  3. 03File with FDA if shipping to the USA

    Register the facility and file the acidified-food process.

  4. 04Make the export label

    Design a label for the destination’s law — not the Indian label — and have the importer approve it before printing.

  5. 05Test and pack

    Test pH, micro and shelf life; induction-seal jars and pack in strong cartons.

  6. 06Book, stuff and file

    Book the container, stuff it with a pre-shipment check, file the shipping bill on ICEGATE and get the certificate of origin and any health certificate.

  7. 07Get paid and close the file

    Send the original documents through your bank (or to the buyer if paid in advance). Once the money arrives, get the e-BRC and claim RoDTEP and drawback where they apply.

Meet buyers

Trade fairs

Questions

Questions about exporting pickles and preserved vegetables

Do pickles need FDA filing for the USA?
Acidified foods do: register the facility and file the process (21 CFR 108 and 114). Check with a process authority whether your recipe counts as acidified.
Why are my jars leaking?
Oil expands in heat. Leave headspace, use induction seals and test packs at high temperature.
What RoDTEP do pickles get?
Other pickles (2001 90 00): 3.4% of FOB, capped at ₹2.30 per kg; gherkins (2001 10 00): 3.4%, capped at ₹4.20 per kg.
Can I use my Indian label abroad?
Rarely. Each market has its own label law — make a separate export label and get the importer to approve it.
Do I need an RCMC for my first small shipment?
Since 15 Sep 2026, a consignment up to ₹3 lakh FOB can go without an RCMC (DGFT Notification 36/2026-27). FSSAI and other legal licences still apply, and you need an RCMC to claim most export benefits.
Sources (6)
  1. APEDA — Processed Vegetables (exports and destinations, 2025-26)
  2. US eCFR — 21 CFR Part 114, acidified foods
  3. DGFT — Appendix 4R, RoDTEP schedule for DTA exports w.e.f. 10 Oct 2024 (Notification No. 32, 30 Sep 2024)
  4. EU — Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on food information to consumers
  5. US eCFR — 21 CFR Part 101, food labelling
  6. FSSAI — Notified food testing laboratories

Who buys Indian pickles and preserved vegetables

All countries →

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