Dried shelled legumes market in Barbados

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled legumes in Barbados showed fluctuations between 4 005 and 4 242 tonnes from 2018 to 2023. A modest recovery to 4 197 tonnes in 2020 coincided with regulatory easing for small farm structures in France, a key supplier, which improved import availability. However, volume dropped to 4 005 tonnes in 2021 following the introduction of France's EGALIM 2 law, designed to protect farmer incomes and alter contractual terms in the fruit and vegetable sector, which likely constrained export supplies.

Expanded pulse cultivation in France, particularly increased chickpea and lentil acreage in the Occitanie region, boosted production in 2022, supporting a market rebound to 4 148 tonnes in Barbados. The subsequent decline to 4 023 tonnes in 2023 aligned with the implementation of harmonized EU commercialization standards and stricter origin labeling requirements, which affected import conditions. By 2024, import volumes continued to recede, partly due to climatic factors like droughts in France impacting crop yields and availability.

Throughout the period, underlying consumer demand for legumes as part of healthy and sustainable diets provided market support, while ongoing evolution of European labeling and trade regulations consistently shaped the import environment for Barbados.

Production dried shelled legumes in Barbados

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

Barbados's production of dried shelled legumes rebounded after two years of decline. In 2020, the country produced 3 447 tons, marking a 3.3% increase from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 3.1%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 1.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 3 338 tons, while the steepest drop occurred in 2018 with a decline of 3.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Barbados in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports dried shelled legumes from Barbados

Industry analysis indicates that Barbados did not export any dried shelled legumes between 2017 and 2020.

Imports dried shelled legumes to Barbados

Imports in kind, t

Barbados experienced a decline in imports of dried shelled legumes following two years of growth. In 2020, imports totaled 749.1 tons, showing a gradual decrease of 6.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 3.8%, averaging an annual decline of 1.3%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 804.8 tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a rise of 2.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the dominant supplier of dried shelled legumes to Barbados, accounting for 76.6% of total imports by volume. Other countries each held substantially smaller shares of the market.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Barbados saw an uptick in the value of dried shelled legume imports after two years of decline. In 2020, imports were valued at approximately 904 thousand US dollars, reflecting a modest improvement of 0.9% from the prior year. However, over the entire 2017-2020 period, import values decreased by 10.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 896 thousand US dollars, while the most significant drop occurred in 2018 with a decline of 6.8%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the United States accounted for 79.3% of Barbados's total import value for dried shelled legumes. The remaining imports were distributed among a variety of smaller trading partners.

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

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