Is this the end of the cucumber? The humble veg is going extinct

The cucumber. It's a respected resident of sandwiches, gin and tonics and body moisturisers, but that could change very soon as the humble vegetable is on the brink of extinction. 

The Cucumber Growers Association have reported that there are now fewer than 100 hectares of land dedicated to growing cucumbers, with many farmers either retiring or moving onto more lucrative crops. 

And with major supermarkets like Tesco, Aldi and Lidl slashing their prices (because of cheaper imports from the Netherlands), there is a genuine fear that the veg will disappear. 

The CGA and various farmers unions from Ireland and the UK have reported that there is little incentive to grow the crop anymore. 

"Nobody in the supply chain is making anything from the production and sale of cucumbers. Without an increase in returns the cucumber industry won't be endangered – it will be extinct," said Joe Cappalonga, who heads fruit and vegetable wholesale for G&C Produce

Is this goodbye to cucumbers? 

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