Dried shelled legumes market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the Asian dried shelled legumes market stood at 85 490 thousand tons, supported by increased domestic soybean production and growing consumer demand for plant-based proteins for healthier diets. However, the market volume declined to 80 010 thousand tons in 2019.

The market recovered to 85 192 thousand tons in 2020, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which boosted demand for shelf-stable healthy foods, and the expansion of e-commerce channels that improved product accessibility. Growth continued in 2021, reaching 87 723 thousand tons, driven by the sustained plant-based food trend and government policies promoting sustainable agriculture. In 2022, the market expanded further to 91 903 thousand tons, aided by import tariff reductions that eased foreign product entry and active production capacity expansions by major local food companies.

The market stabilized at 90 747 thousand tons in 2023, only slightly below the previous year's peak, concluding a period of overall growth from 2020 onward.

Production dried shelled legumes in Asia

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 2018, Asia's production of dried shelled legumes reached its peak at 79,788 thousand tonnes. The following year, output fell to its lowest point of 73,973 thousand tonnes, marking a 7.3% decline. By 2020, production had recovered to 78,227 thousand tonnes, representing a 5.8% year-over-year increase.

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

In value, 2017-2020, B $ US

In 2018, the value of dried shelled legumes production in Asia hit its lowest level at 316.4 billion US dollars, following a sharp 20.8% drop. The next year saw a rebound with a 6.2% increase. However, by 2020, output value had declined to 327.6 billion US dollars, down 2.5% from 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 18%, averaging an annual decline of 6.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in value, 2017-2020, B $ US

Exports dried shelled legumes from Asia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2019, Asia's export volume of dried shelled legumes dropped to its minimum of 1,439 thousand tonnes, a 28.7% decrease. The following year, exports surged to 2,209 thousand tonnes, showing a sharp 53.5% year-over-year rise. From 2017 to 2020, export volumes grew by 14.6%, with an average annual increase of 4.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Asia's exports of dried shelled legumes in volume terms were widely distributed across many countries. Sudan accounted for 1.7% of exports, Egypt for 1.4%, and Italy for 1.2%, with these three countries together making up just 4.3% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2018, the value of Asia's dried shelled legumes exports fell to its lowest point at 2,566 million US dollars, an 8.2% decline. Exports then grew for two consecutive years, reaching 3,094 million US dollars in 2020, a 19.8% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 10.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Asia's exports of dried shelled legumes in value terms showed a broad spread across markets. Italy and the United States each contributed 1.7% of exports, while Sudan accounted for 1.5%, with these three countries together representing only 4.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Asia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2019, Asia's import volume of dried shelled legumes experienced a 3.2% decline. The following year, imports jumped to 9,175 thousand tonnes, a 22.7% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volumes grew by 27.3%, with an average annual increase of 8.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada, Australia, and Russia were the key partners for Asia's imports of dried shelled legumes in volume terms. Canada accounted for 42.9% of imports, Australia for 13.8%, and Russia for 7.0%, with these three countries together making up 63.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2018, the value of Asia's dried shelled legumes imports saw a significant 20.1% decline. The following year, imports dropped further to their lowest point of 4,183 million US dollars. After this two-year downturn, imports rebounded in 2020 to approximately 5,193 million US dollars, a 24.2% increase from 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 4.6%, with an average annual decline of 1.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the country composition of Asia's imports of dried shelled legumes in value terms was dispersed. Canada accounted for 28.5% of imports, Australia for 15.1%, and Russia for 5.2%, with these three countries together forming just 48.7% of total flows, while the remaining 51.3% was split among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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