Dried shelled legumes market in Chile

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Chilean dried shelled legumes market experienced significant shifts. A long-term decline in planted area due to rising costs and technological lag constrained domestic production, increasing reliance on imports. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic spurred a 23% rise in legume consumption as consumers sought healthier and sustainable options, driving imports to 128.5 thousand tonnes and expanding the market size to a peak of 178.9 thousand tonnes, despite a drop in domestic output to 51.7 thousand tonnes.

Following the 2020 peak, the market contracted sharply to 109.3 thousand tonnes in 2021 and further to 74.2 thousand tonnes in 2022. This correction aligned with a return to pre-pandemic consumption patterns, while domestic production remained limited by historically low planted area. Public-private initiatives, such as the Chile Origen Consciente sustainability program and INIA's development of unique legume varieties, aimed to improve the sector's resilience. Concurrently, strict sanitary controls by the SAG and quality standards by INN governed both imported and local products, ensuring market quality.

In 2023, the market showed a partial recovery to 93.1 thousand tonnes, supported by imports of 41.7 thousand tonnes and a slight production increase to 51.9 thousand tonnes. Underlying consumer preferences for healthy and environmentally friendly foods continued to influence demand, but structural challenges in domestic agriculture, including reduced planted area, persisted.

Production dried shelled legumes in Chile

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2018-2021

World map of production of dried shelled legumes, 2018-2021

Chile produced 75,694 tonnes of dried shelled legumes in 2021, marking a significant 46.4% increase compared to 2020. However, looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, overall production actually declined by 6.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 51,694 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 85,272 tonnes. The most substantial drop was observed in 2020, when production fell by 39.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Chile in kind, 2018-2021, t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Following two consecutive years of decline, Chile's dried shelled legumes production saw a rebound in value. In 2021, the output was valued at 134.1 million US dollars, representing a 39.2% year-over-year increase. Over the 2018-2021 period, however, production value decreased by 28.9%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 10.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 96.4 million US dollars, with the sharpest drop of 48.4% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Chile in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports dried shelled legumes from Chile

Exports in kind, K t

The market displayed considerable volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020, while the peak occurred in 2018, with a 3.9-fold difference between these extremes. In 2021, Chile's dried shelled legumes exports amounted to 3,100 tonnes, showing a substantial 133.7% increase from the previous year. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2020 at 1,300 tonnes, with the largest decline of 59.3% also taking place that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Chile in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Venezuela, the Netherlands, and France consistently served as the primary destinations for Chile's dried shelled legumes exports in volume terms. Venezuela accounted for 54.1% of exports, followed by the Netherlands at 11.9%, and France at 8.8%. Together, these three markets represented 74.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Chile in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market demonstrated notable volatility throughout the observed period. The lowest point occurred in 2020, while exports peaked in 2018, with a 4.9-fold gap between these years. In 2021, Chile's dried shelled legumes exports reached 5,418 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp 122.1% year-over-year increase. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 2,439 thousand US dollars, with the most significant decline of 65.3% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Chile in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

During the 2018-2021 period, Venezuela, the Netherlands, and the United States consistently dominated Chile's dried shelled legumes exports in value terms. Venezuela represented 55.9% of export value, the Netherlands accounted for 12.0%, and the United States contributed 9.2%. Collectively, these three destinations made up 77.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Chile in value, 2018-2021

Imports dried shelled legumes to Chile

Imports in kind, K t

The import market showed an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. Imports reached their lowest point in 2021, while peaking in 2020, with a 3.5-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Chile imported 36,700 tonnes of dried shelled legumes from abroad, representing a sharp 71.5% decrease from the previous year. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2020 at 128,500 tonnes, with the largest increase of 224.6% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Chile in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Chile's imports of dried shelled legumes in volume terms were primarily sourced from Canada and Argentina. Together, these two countries accounted for 87.6% of total import flows, with other destinations playing a more limited role.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Chile in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market exhibited an unstable pattern during this period. Imports bottomed out in 2019, then peaked in 2020, with a 3.5-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Chile imported 33,878 thousand US dollars worth of dried shelled legumes, marking a steep 65.6% decrease from the previous year. The minimum import value was recorded in 2019 at 28,279 thousand US dollars, while the maximum occurred in 2020 at 98,513 thousand US dollars. The largest increase of 248.4% was also recorded in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Chile in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Argentina and Canada together accounted for 83.9% of the total value of dried shelled legumes imports to Chile, with the remaining volume distributed among smaller markets.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Chile in value, 2018-2021