Dried shelled legumes market in ASEAN

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for dried shelled legumes in ASEAN declined from 8.9 million tonnes in 2018 to 7.4 million tonnes in 2022, representing a cumulative drop of 17% over five years. This downward trend reversed in 2023, with the market growing by 2.6% to reach 7.6 million tonnes.

By 2024, several market-shaping factors emerged, including a stronger consumer shift toward plant-based and vegetarian foods, particularly in Malaysia, where companies like Everbest launched soy-based meat alternatives. Innovations in drying technologies, such as freeze-drying, improved product quality and shelf life, while the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic sustained demand for convenient, shelf-stable food items like dried vegetables.

Production dried shelled legumes in ASEAN

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

ASEAN's production of dried shelled legumes has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 9 117 thousand tonnes, marking a slight decrease of 0.6% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.1%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from ASEAN

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, ASEAN's export volume of dried shelled legumes reached 1 339 thousand tonnes, showing a significant year-over-year increase of 22.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 093 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 1 362 thousand tonnes. The most substantial decline took place in 2019, when exports dropped by 19.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary destinations for ASEAN's dried shelled legumes exports were India, China, and Pakistan. India accounted for 43.7% of exports in volume, China for 19.0%, and Pakistan for 5.5%. Together, these three countries represented 68.2% of ASEAN's total exports in this category.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

ASEAN's dried shelled legumes exports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the value of these exports amounted to 1 258 million US dollars, up by 28.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 22.3%, corresponding to an average annual growth rate of 6.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 849 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 17.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India, China, and Pakistan were the key partners for ASEAN's dried shelled legumes exports in value terms. India contributed 35.9% of the total export value, China 27.0%, and Pakistan 4.7%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 67.6% of ASEAN's export flows in this sector.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to ASEAN

Imports in kind, K t

The import data for dried shelled legumes into ASEAN shows significant volatility, reflecting an unstable market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 255 thousand tonnes and peaked in 2018 at 914 thousand tonnes, representing a 3.6-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, imports rebounded to 409 thousand tonnes, which is 60.4% higher than in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 72.1%, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2018 with a rise of 107.0%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, imports of dried shelled legumes into ASEAN were relatively evenly distributed among various countries. The top three sources were Canada, Australia, and Ukraine, accounting for 13.6%, 11.4%, and 7.3% of imports in volume, respectively. However, together they represented only 32.3% of the total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, ASEAN's imports of dried shelled legumes have increased. In 2020, the import value was approximately 465 million US dollars, reflecting a year-over-year uptick of 34.4%. From 2017 to 2020, import value rose by 14.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 346 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 13.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of dried shelled legumes into ASEAN in value terms were spread across many countries. The leading sources were Australia, China, and Canada, contributing 11.2%, 7.8%, and 7.4% of the total import value, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for only 26.4% of the overall import flows.

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

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