Dried shelled legumes market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled legumes in Central Asia stood at 1.8 million tonnes in 2018, supported by Kazakhstan's state policy to diversify sown areas, which stimulated domestic production. However, in 2019, the market contracted sharply to 1.0 million tonnes as production fell. A modest recovery to 1.1 million tonnes followed in 2020, partly because COVID-19-related logistics disruptions for fresh produce increased demand for dried alternatives.

After another dip to 1.0 million tonnes in 2021, the market expanded notably to 1.7 million tonnes in 2022. This growth was fueled by rising exports from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, facilitated by state support and access to new sales markets. In 2023, the market stabilized at 1.6 million tonnes, with exports continuing to grow due to production increases and logistics improvements in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Production dried shelled legumes in Central 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

Dried shelled legumes production in Central Asia has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 1 436 K t, marking a slight decrease of 2.3% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 43.1%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 17.1%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Central Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of dried shelled legumes from Central Asia have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 401.9 K t, representing a 15.5% drop compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 24.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 536.9 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 65.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Afghanistan, and China were the top contributors to exports in kind, accounting for 29.8%, 17.2%, and 7.7% of total exports, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 54.7% of all export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Central Asia's dried shelled legumes export value declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 298.4 M $ US, down by 7.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 41.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 12.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 323.6 M $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 30.5%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Afghanistan, and Pakistan emerged as the main markets for exports in value terms, contributing 22.0%, 19.4%, and 15.8% of total exports, respectively. Combined, these three countries accounted for 57.3% of all export flows.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Central Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of dried shelled legumes into Central Asia have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 54.2 K t, indicating a significant rise of 89.3% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 105.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia and Turkey were the primary suppliers of dried shelled legumes to Central Asia, together accounting for 43.8% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. In 2020, Central Asia's dried shelled legumes imports amounted to 30.4 M $ US, representing a sharp increase of 77.4% year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 16.1 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 5.0%. From 2018 to 2020, the market exhibited a peak-to-trough amplitude of 1.9 times.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Russia, Turkey, and Canada were the key partners for imports in value terms, contributing 42.1%, 1.6%, and 1.5% of total imports, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 45.3% of all import flows.

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

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