Dried shelled broad and horse beans market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian market for dried shelled broad and horse beans grew from 146.9 thousand tons in 2018 to 164.4 thousand tons in 2020. This expansion was supported by increased public spending and innovation incentives in agriculture, which helped raise domestic production. Rising consumer demand for pulses as an alternative protein source, reinforced by policy focus on leguminous crops, further contributed to the market's volume increase during this period.

A sharp contraction followed, with the market falling to 128.3 thousand tons in 2022. This downturn was driven by a pronounced consumption crisis across the fruit, vegetable, and pulse sector, linked to ongoing production difficulties and a loss of competitiveness. Persistent climate challenges, phytosanitary issues, and high production costs weighed on output, while some agricultural enterprises relocated to other countries to preserve their market access.

In 2023, the market stabilized at 132.2 thousand tons. This modest recovery coincided with evolving consumer preferences towards more sustainable and organic products, which began influencing production and marketing approaches. Concurrently, tighter regulations on labeling and traceability aimed at improving food quality and safety also shaped market dynamics.

Production dried shelled broad and horse beans in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Italy was one of the world's top producers of dried shelled broad and horse beans from 2017 to 2020, ranking 10th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of dried shelled broad and horse beans, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried shelled broad and horse beans, 2017-2020

Italy's production of dried shelled broad and horse beans grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 134.9 thousand tonnes, marking a slight 2.0% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 45.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports dried shelled broad and horse beans from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Italy's exports of dried shelled broad and horse beans increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 1 682 tonnes, up 8.8% from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 22.5%, with an average annual decline of 8.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 372 tonnes, which saw the largest drop of 36.8%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase of 12.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, France consistently represented 70.7% of Italy's total exports in volume, showing a high concentration on this market, while the remaining share was distributed among other countries.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Italy in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Italy's cross-border shipments of dried shelled broad and horse beans increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 612 thousand US dollars, a robust 20.0% gain compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 329 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 17.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—France, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom—together accounted for 66.5% of Italy's total export value for dried shelled broad and horse beans.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Italy in value, 2017-2020

Imports dried shelled broad and horse beans to Italy

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Italy's imports of dried shelled broad and horse beans rebounded. In 2020, import volume reached 31 185 tonnes, a sharp 57.8% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 38.2%, with an average annual decline of 14.8%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 19 757 tonnes, which experienced the largest drop of 40.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017-2020, France (26.2% of import volume), the United Kingdom (22.5%), and Germany (17.6%) formed the main group of partners for Italy's imports of dried shelled broad and horse beans, jointly representing 66.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Italy in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year reduction, Italy's imports of dried shelled broad and horse beans increased. In 2020, imports totaled 14 882 thousand US dollars, a sharp 47.1% rise over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 16.7%, equating to an average annual decrease of 5.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 10 116 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 28.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the partner landscape for Italy's imports in value terms was diverse. France (18.7% of import value), Egypt (16.3%), and the United Kingdom (14.6%) together accounted for only 49.5% of total flows, while a substantial 50.5% came from many other countries.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Italy in value, 2017-2020