Dried shelled legumes market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the African dried shelled legumes market experienced notable fluctuations. Market volume peaked at 45 866 thousand tonnes in 2020 before contracting to 42 876 thousand tonnes in 2021. In value terms, a sharp decline to 28 574 million US$ occurred in 2019, followed by a recovery to 34 820 million US$ by 2021.

From 2022 to 2023, market volume stabilized at approximately 45 800 thousand tonnes, while the market value continued its upward trend, reaching 38 901 million US$ in 2023. This growth in value was driven primarily by rising consumer demand in key markets such as Egypt and Kenya, where urbanization, increased health awareness, and the expansion of organized retail sectors boosted consumption of dried legumes. Consumer preferences for local and organic products further contributed to higher value sales.

Production dried shelled legumes in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Africa produced 45 511 thousand tonnes of dried shelled legumes, marking a modest increase of 7.5% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 8.3%, which translates to an annualized rate of 2.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 1.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of dried shelled legumes in Africa was valued at 31 102 million US dollars, showing a moderate increase of 9.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 8.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 28 318 million US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 37 296 million US dollars. The largest decline took place in 2019, falling by 24.1%, and the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 9.8%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Dried shelled legumes exports from Africa increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Africa exported 1 265 thousand tonnes, up by 14.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 37.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 790 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 14.3%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 39.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports of dried shelled legumes from Africa were not concentrated on a few key markets. India accounted for 29.8% of exports in kind, the United Arab Emirates for 5.1%, and Pakistan for 4.5%, with these three countries together making up only 39.4% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Dried shelled legumes deliveries from Africa increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 865 million US dollars, corresponding to a substantial rise of 17.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 16%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 684 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 8.2%.

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

The country composition of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was dispersed. India represented 26.1% of exports in value terms, the United Arab Emirates 6.2%, and Pakistan 4.9%, with these three countries together forming just 37.2% of total flows. The remaining 62.8% was split among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, dried shelled legumes imports into Africa tallied 1 620 thousand tonnes, down by 24.7% from a year earlier. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 17.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 372 thousand tonnes, while the maximum was in 2019 at 2 153 thousand tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 57.0%.

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

During 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of dried shelled legumes to Africa were spread relatively evenly. Canada accounted for 18.9% of imports in kind, Australia for 8.6%, and Turkey for 8.0%, with these three countries jointly accounting for only 35.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year contraction, cross-border shipments of dried shelled legumes into Africa increased. In 2020, imports came to 1 215 million US dollars, up by 22.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 8.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 992 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 17.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner landscape for imports in value terms was wide. Canada represented 19.7% of imports in value terms, Australia 11.5%, and Turkey 7.7%, with these three countries together forming only 39.0% of total flows. A substantial 61.0% was supplied to or from many other countries.

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

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