Why Greenhouse Cucumber Popularity Continues To Grow
March 11, 2021 
Cucumbers can be one of the most productive crops in a greenhouse. With that being said, there are lots of moving parts when it comes to growing a successful crop.
We talked with Leona Niell, Director of Marketing and Packaging at Red Sun Farms in Kingsville, ON, to get her input on greenhouse cucumbers. From the state of the market to tips on how to grow cucumbers, here is what she had to say.
Greenhouse Grower (GG): How long have you been growing cucumbers at your operation? Could you give some information about the size of your establishment?
Leona Niell: Although we have some dedicated facilities to cucumber, we often rotate this crop because cucumbers play an important role in the ecosystem of the greenhouse. Cucumbers have been part of our offerings since 1961. We have a total of 646 acres of both indoor and outdoor production across Mexico, the U.S., and Canada.
GG: What are you seeing in the market right now? What are some of the challenges with selling and marketing cucumbers?
Niell: In the last year, we have seen a new passion for the traditional favorites and a desire for those vegetables that deliver beyond expectations. Cucumbers, like all categories, have performed well over the past year. People and businesses have endured the negative impact of COVID–19. However, we have also seen positive trends and results emerging from these restrictions. Whether it’s expanding the recipe repertoire at home, the need to treat oneself to something special, or perhaps because many have been fortunate enough to work from home, kitchens across the continent are being used three times a day, seven days a week. While highly commoditized stock–keeping units continue to perform well, cucumbers have grown exponentially due to those three main drivers. Consumers are looking for more than just great flavor out of their favorite foods. As they continue to explore home–cooked meals, nutritional ingredients that offer versatility have become a top priority.
GG: What cucumber varieties are the most popular with your customers and why?
Niell: Snacking cucumbers are very popular, as they have the versatility for both snacking and ingredient use.
GG: Do they see any shifts or changes occurring in the market that will affect growing in the future?
Niell: The cucumber category continues its growth trajectory year over year with cannibalization of field cucumber market share and increased ad activity across North America. Like many field crops, inclement weather challenges quality and availability. The benefits of greenhouse–grown cucumbers are consistent quality and year-round production. Those two factors remain the primary drivers of the growth.
GG: Can you share one or two tips you have learned over the years about growing high-quality cucumbers?
Niell: Several years ago, we began growing high-wire cucumbers, which extends crop cycles and provides superior quality and increased production. Growing cucumbers in the traditional method would involve planting four or five crops per year. With high–wire cucumber cultivation, you produce two crops per year. Like tomato production, high–wire cucumbers are attached to the main stem, which produces a much more consistent piece of fruit.
GG: What is the most important lesson you have learned about cucumber growing?
Niell: From our perspective, we try to communicate our unique seed–to–plate value proposition from Red Sun Farms, and that ability makes our team able deliver flavor, quality, food safety, and consistency in a year-round supply.
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