Dried shelled legumes market in Bolivia

Earlier Report Observations

Bolivia's production of dried shelled legumes fluctuated between 242,000 and 252,000 tons from 2018 to 2023. A notable contraction occurred in 2020, coinciding with reports of a clear decrease in the domestic availability of traditional legumes and growing international dependence, which pressured national supplies and prices. The market rebounded in 2022 after authorities modified Article 6 of Law No. 1391 to extend a zero-tariff exemption for importing agricultural machinery until September 2023, facilitating farmer access to more efficient equipment and supporting a recovery in output.

Domestic market volume followed a similar volatile path, dropping in 2020 before recovering by 2023. Shifts in export volumes significantly influenced domestic availability, with strong exports in 2022 tightening the local market. By 2023, international soybean and derivative prices surged following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and droughts in Argentina, likely making soybean cultivation more attractive and contributing to a slight reduction in legume production as some agricultural focus shifted.

Structural changes within the sector included the entry of new players, with several companies beginning operations to process soybean expeller meal in late 2022, broadening the industrial base. Concurrently, initiatives led by organizations like the FAO to recover and promote ancestral legumes, such as tarwi, for school feeding programs aimed at enhancing nutritional security and exploring new market segments based on global trends toward functional foods.

Production dried shelled legumes in Bolivia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

Bolivia's production of dried shelled legumes declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, the country produced 252.9 thousand tons, which was the highest level recorded during this period. However, by 2020, production had fallen to 243.9 thousand tons, marking a modest decrease of 3.4% from the previous year. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 2.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of Bolivia's dried shelled legumes output was 230.9 million US dollars, showing a gradual decline of 4.9% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 228.0 million US dollars, which represented a sharp drop of 13.1% from the previous year. However, in 2019, the value rebounded with a notable increase of 6.5%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 12%, averaging an annual decline of 4.2%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Bolivia

Exports in kind, t

Bolivia's exports of dried shelled legumes in volume terms grew for the third consecutive year. In 2019, exports totaled 16,653 tons, but by 2020, they had risen to 19,653 tons, reflecting a substantial increase of 18.1% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 2.4%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, at 21.1%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 39.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru were the primary destinations for Bolivia's dried shelled legumes exports in volume terms. Brazil accounted for 45.9% of exports, Colombia for 19.9%, and Peru for 12.7%. Together, these three countries 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 Bolivia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Bolivia's exports of dried shelled legumes in value terms increased for the third year in a row. In 2019, exports were valued at 16,000 thousand US dollars, and by 2020, they had grown to 18,608 thousand US dollars, indicating a substantial rise of 16.2% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value increased by 24.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Brazil, Spain, and Colombia formed the core of Bolivia's dried shelled legumes exports in value terms. Brazil contributed 29.2% of export value, Spain 23.5%, and Colombia 20.3%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 73.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Bolivia

Imports in kind, t

Bolivia's imports of dried shelled legumes in volume terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2019, imports stood at 1,927 tons, but by 2020, they had surged to 2,621 tons, showing an abrupt gain of 36.0% from the previous year. The lowest level was recorded in 2018 at 1,723 tons, which represented a decline of 17.2% from 2017. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 25.9%, averaging an annual growth rate of 8.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of Bolivia's dried shelled legumes imports in volume terms was highly concentrated. Canada alone accounted for 97.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market for dried shelled legumes imports in Bolivia showed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. In 2018, the value hit its lowest point at 617 thousand US dollars, marking a decline of 5.2% from the previous year. By 2020, however, the value had soared to 1,644 thousand US dollars, indicating a dramatic increase of 109.1% compared to 2019. This resulted in a 2.7-fold variation between the minimum in 2018 and the maximum in 2020.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Canada was by far the main source for Bolivia's dried shelled legumes imports in value terms, accounting for 94.2% of total import flows.

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

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