Dried shelled legumes market in Americas

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the dried shelled legumes market in the Americas fluctuated significantly between 2018 and 2023. After a slight dip to 26.7 million tons in 2019, the market expanded to 29.2 million tons in 2020, driven primarily by increased cultivation areas in key producing regions such as Occitanie, which supported higher domestic production. However, the market contracted sharply to 21.6 million tons in 2021, before recovering to 26.5 million tons in 2022 and then declining again to 22.9 million tons in 2023.

Regulatory measures played a key role in shaping demand. The implementation of the Egalim law and the National Nutrition Health Plan encouraged the consumption of legumes, particularly in school vegetarian menus, supporting market stability in the food service sector. Concurrently, consumer preferences shifted towards organic and quality-labeled products, with the organic segment reaching 17% market share by 2023, driven by a narrower price gap and expanded product offerings including snacks and spreads.

The market structure was influenced by major players like the cooperative Limagrain and its subsidiaries, which affected seed production and supply. External factors, such as frequent drought episodes from 2022 onward, caused sporadic shortages and sharp price increases for summer vegetables, indirectly impacting legume crops. These droughts led to abrupt price hikes of up to 30% for summer vegetables in 2024, affecting availability and costs in the sector.

Production dried shelled legumes in Americas

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

After two years of decline, dried shelled legumes production in the Americas rebounded. In 2020, production reached 36 506 K t, representing a solid year-over-year increase of 11.1%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 8.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 32 851 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 2.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year downturn, the value of dried shelled legumes production in the Americas showed improvement. In 2020, production was valued at 18 827 M $ US, marking a 22.6% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, production value decreased by 9.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 15 362 M $ US, and the most significant decline took place in 2018 at 17.4%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Americas

Exports in kind, K t

Dried shelled legumes exports from the Americas grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 8 086 K t, showing a substantial 17.5% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports expanded by 36.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.8%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 5 759 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 3.1%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 at 19.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary destinations for dried shelled legumes exports from the Americas were China (27.5% of exports in kind), India (15.3%), and Bangladesh (7.8%). Together, these three countries accounted for 50.6% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of dried shelled legumes exports from the Americas increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 4 170 M $ US, reflecting a sharp 29.6% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 13.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 015 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 17.9%.

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

The export partner structure in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was fragmented, with China (15.2% of exports in value terms), India (13.4%), and Turkey (6.5%) together accounting for only 35.2% of total flows. No single country held a dominant share during this period.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Americas

Imports in kind, K t

Dried shelled legumes imports into the Americas increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 736 K t, up 3.7% from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 21.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 7.6%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 664 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 28.9%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 at 6.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the key sources for dried shelled legumes imports into the Americas were China (4.0% of imports in kind), Australia (0.7%), and India (0.7%). Together, these three countries accounted for 5.4% of total import flows in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, the value of dried shelled legumes imports into the Americas rebounded. In 2020, imports totaled 1 319 M $ US, marking a sharp 34.1% year-over-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 3.5%, with an annualized rate of 1.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 984 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 15.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for dried shelled legumes imports in value terms were consistently China (5.6% of imports in value terms), India (1.0%), and Australia (0.9%). Together, these three countries accounted for 7.4% of total import flows.

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

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