Dried shelled legumes market in Afghanistan

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled legumes in Afghanistan grew from 117.1 thousand tons in 2018 to 144.7 thousand tons in 2020. The opening of a joint Afghanistan-China market in Kabul during 2018 facilitated new trade cooperation and market access expansion. Domestic production more than doubled from 82.2 thousand tons to 164.9 thousand tons over this period, becoming the primary contributor to the increasing market volume.

A sharp expansion followed, with the market reaching 196.9 thousand tons in 2021 and 274.4 thousand tons in 2022. The broader agricultural sector's strength was evident as dried fruit exports surged to over $400 million in 2021, indicating robust production activity that likely supported legume output. Imports also rose substantially, contributing to the market's peak in 2022.

In 2023, the market volume contracted to 226.5 thousand tons. This decline coincided with export disruptions from the blocking of key border crossings like Torkham and the Kabul-Jalalabad highway, which impeded trade flows and contributed to a significant drop in imports for dried shelled legumes.

Production dried shelled legumes in Afghanistan

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

Afghanistan's production of dried shelled legumes has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 164 860 tons, marking an 86.8% improvement compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 129.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 31.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Afghanistan in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Afghanistan's production of dried shelled legumes has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 100.6 million US dollars, representing a dramatic 84.0% advance compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 113.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 28.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Afghanistan in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports dried shelled legumes from Afghanistan

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 7.5-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Afghanistan's export volume of dried shelled legumes was recorded at 105.8 thousand tons, equivalent to a steep 649.4% year-over-year advance. The minimum value was 14.1 thousand tons in 2019, which also saw the largest decline of 55.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan was the dominant destination for Afghanistan's exports of dried shelled legumes in kind, accounting for 90.0% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among several smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed notable volatility during these years. Export volumes bottomed out in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 7.4 times. In 2020, Afghanistan exported 64 580 thousand US dollars worth of dried shelled legumes, representing an abrupt 638.3% uptick compared to the previous year. The minimum value was 8 746 thousand US dollars in 2019, which also recorded the largest decline of 58.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Pakistan clearly dominated Afghanistan's exports of dried shelled legumes in value terms, taking 88.5% of total flows. Other countries each held significantly smaller shares.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Afghanistan

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import volumes varied 4.7 times from the low in 2017 to the high in 2020. In 2020, Afghanistan's imports of dried shelled legumes amounted to 85.6 thousand tons, marking a 47.7% improvement compared to 2019. The largest decline was 13.2% in 2019, while the largest increase was 270.7% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan remained the key partner countries for Afghanistan's imports of dried shelled legumes in kind, with a combined share of 86.6% of total flows. Other partners accounted for the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import volumes reached their minimum in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 4 times. In 2020, Afghanistan's imports of dried shelled legumes registered 58 428 thousand US dollars, showing a 26.1% uptick compared to the previous year. The maximum value was 60 464 thousand US dollars in 2018, which also saw the largest increase of 295.8%. The largest decline was 23.4% in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uzbekistan remained the key direction for Afghanistan's imports of dried shelled legumes, accounting for 72.9% of total imports in value terms. Other destinations were much less significant.

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

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