Dried shelled legumes market in Colombia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Colombian dried shelled legumes market showed significant movement. The market volume stood at 430.8 thousand tons in 2018, then fell to 402.7 thousand tons in 2019 as the National Federation of Cereals, Legumes and Soybean Growers (Fenalce) cited a lack of guarantees for farmers, high costs, and inadequate infrastructure, which discouraged planting. Additionally, state-owned fertilizer supplier Monómeros remained under government supervision to preserve its operations, highlighting the importance of input availability. In 2020, the market expanded sharply to 515.9 thousand tons, even as the COVID-19 pandemic created debts for the agriculture ministry and a lack of price controls on agricultural inputs.

The market declined to 458.7 thousand tons in 2021, influenced by the reinforcement of food safety and nutritional labeling rules that affected product commercialization, and by conservation priorities for strategic ecosystems that may have reduced cultivation areas. A rebound occurred in 2022, with the market volume reaching 502.5 thousand tons after Fenalce reported a 34.9% increase in legume production and a government resolution to modernize livestock systems indirectly raised demand for legumes as animal feed. By 2023, the market contracted again to 463.3 thousand tons, reflecting ongoing infrastructure gaps and Fenalce's calls for stronger support policies, including credit, insurance, and competitive seeds for producers.

Production dried shelled legumes in Colombia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

Colombia's production of dried shelled legumes rebounded after two years of decline. In 2019, output hit its lowest point at 225.4 thousand tonnes, but then surged by 39.7% year-over-year to reach 314.9 thousand tonnes in 2020. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 15.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.6%. The sharpest drop occurred in 2018, when production decreased by 22.7%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Colombia

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports of dried shelled legumes from Colombia reached their lowest level in 2019 at 0.9 thousand tonnes, then jumped by 150.2% year-over-year to 2.3 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking the highest point. The difference between these peak and trough levels was 2.5 times. The most significant decline was recorded in 2019, when exports fell by 48.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Venezuela, the United States, and Chile were the primary markets for Colombia's dried shelled legume exports in volume terms. Venezuela accounted for 53.6% of exports, the United States for 26.3%, and Chile for 15.3%. Together, these three countries represented 95.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export values for dried shelled legumes from Colombia were at their minimum in 2019 at 1.5 million US dollars, then climbed by 109.1% year-over-year to peak at 3.0 million US dollars in 2020. The ratio between these high and low points was 2.1 times. The largest decrease occurred in 2019, with a drop of 30.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States and Venezuela dominated as destinations for Colombia's dried shelled legume exports in value terms. These two markets collectively captured 83.9% of total export flows, with the remainder distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Colombia

Imports in kind, K t

Colombia's imports of dried shelled legumes increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 203.3 thousand tonnes, showing a robust rise of 14.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 49.7%, which translates to an annualized rate of 14.4%.

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

During 2017-2020, Canada and the United States were the main sources for Colombia's dried shelled legume imports in volume terms. Together, they accounted for 82.6% of total import flows, while the remaining share was divided among other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Colombia's imports of dried shelled legumes rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 129.5 million US dollars, up by 20.6% from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 span, imports increased by 6.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 2.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 103.7 million US dollars, when imports declined by 14.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada, the United States, and Argentina were the principal suppliers of dried shelled legumes to Colombia in value terms. Canada contributed 51.1% of imports, the United States 24.3%, and Argentina 8.5%. Combined, these three countries made up 83.8% of total import value.

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

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