Dried shelled legumes market in Bangladesh, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled legumes in Bangladesh grew substantially from 2018 to 2021, with volume rising from 1.97 million tons to 2.81 million tons. This expansion was supported by government policies prioritizing agricultural productivity and crop diversification, which included support for high-yielding seed varieties and irrigation expansion for small-scale growers. Significant imports from countries like Australia and India further supplied the market, particularly in 2019. Production also climbed steadily during this period, increasing from 761 thousand tons in 2018 to over 1.4 million tons by 2021, as these agricultural modernization efforts took hold.

Following the peak in 2021, the total market volume experienced a slight contraction and then stabilized around 2.73 million tons in 2022 and 2023. This period coincided with the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) drafting and notifying several new regulations to the WTO, including the Food Safety (Labeling and Packaging Food) Regulation (2023) and Food Fortification Regulations (2023). These upcoming standards likely influenced market preparation and product standards. Concurrently, consumer preferences increasingly shifted towards traceable, safe, and natural food ingredients, supporting demand for quality products despite global supply chain disruptions and higher international fertilizer prices that affected production costs.

Domestic production continued its upward trajectory through 2023, reaching 1.48 million tons, indicating a growing domestic supply base. The regulatory environment evolved with BFSA actively building capacity to enforce the new food safety, labeling, and advertisement rules, which directly applied to dried vegetables. This regulatory shift, coupled with persistent consumer interest in healthy and organic options, shaped the market's structure in the latter part of the period, even as the total consumption volume plateaued.

Production dried shelled legumes in Bangladesh

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

Bangladesh's dried shelled legumes production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 937.3 thousand tonnes, marking a strong 19.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 21.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 761.0 thousand tonnes, which represented a 1.7% decline from the previous year.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Bangladesh

Exports in kind, K t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export volumes varied significantly, with a 3.7-fold difference between the high in 2019 and the low in 2020. In 2020, dried shelled legumes deliveries from Bangladesh amounted to 0.2 thousand tonnes, representing a 73.3% reduction compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 thousand tonnes, which marked a substantial 93.5% increase from 2018.

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

Throughout the period from 2017 to 2020, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Asia (not elsewhere specified) formed the core group of markets for Bangladesh's dried shelled legumes exports in kind. Japan accounted for 44.2% of exports, Saudi Arabia for 29.2%, and Asia (not elsewhere specified) for 5.2%. Together, these three markets represented 78.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, cross-border shipments of dried shelled legumes from Bangladesh totalled 0.3 million US dollars, which is 42.2% lower year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 33.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 12.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.6 million US dollars, representing a 51.4% increase from the previous year.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom were the main buyers of dried shelled legumes from Bangladesh in value terms. Japan accounted for 52.1% of exports, Saudi Arabia for 21.3%, and the United Kingdom for 4.9%. Together, these three countries comprised 78.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Bangladesh

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year uptick, foreign dried shelled legumes supplies to Bangladesh declined. In 2020, Bangladesh imported 1 360 thousand tonnes, representing an 11.4% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 14%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 4.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 534 thousand tonnes, which marked a 27.3% increase from 2018.

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

Throughout the period from 2017 to 2020, Canada and Australia remained the key partner countries for Bangladesh's imports of dried shelled legumes in kind. Their combined share reached 83.1% of total import flows, with other partners accounting for the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Bangladesh's dried shelled legumes imports reached 541.7 million US dollars, which is 2.2% lower compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 12.8%, equating to an annualized decline of 4.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 12.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 1.3%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms of dried shelled legumes to Bangladesh were largely oriented towards Australia and Canada. Their combined share reached 82.4% of total import flows, with other destinations playing a secondary role.

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

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