Dried shelled legumes market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled legumes in Eastern Africa experienced notable fluctuations in volume between 2018 and 2023. After an initial contraction to 17.6 million metric tons in 2019, consumption surged to over 20 million metric tons in 2020. The following two years saw a period of stabilization, with the market size hovering around 19 million metric tons, before a renewed expansion to 20.1 million metric tons in 2023.

This overall growth was supported by an increase in domestic production, which rose from 19.0 million metric tons in 2018 to 21.1 million metric tons in 2023. Concurrently, export volumes more than doubled across the period, indicating a strengthening outward trade flow that absorbed a portion of the larger harvests.

Recent regional initiatives have focused on structural support for the sector. Key efforts include government investment in agro-processing and value addition for legumes, alongside active promotion of cross-border trade to improve food security. Events like the Africa Agri Expo and policy work to reduce non-tariff barriers aim to foster technological adoption and smoother market access for producers.

Production dried shelled legumes in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

Eastern Africa's production of dried shelled legumes rebounded after two consecutive years of decline. In 2020, the region produced 20,586 thousand metric tons, representing a 12.3% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 18,327 thousand metric tons, while the most significant annual decrease occurred in 2018 with a 5.2% drop.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of contraction, the value of dried shelled legumes production in Eastern Africa showed positive momentum. In 2020, output was valued at 12,451 million US dollars, marking a 14.0% improvement over the previous year. However, over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, the total value actually decreased by 17.4%, equivalent to a compound annual decline of 6.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 10,921 million US dollars, with the steepest annual decline occurring in 2018 at 16.3%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Eastern Africa's exports of dried shelled legumes continued to grow for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volumes reached 1,047 thousand metric tons, representing a 16.7% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports expanded significantly by 54%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 622 thousand metric tons, which also saw an 8.6% decline that year. The strongest growth occurred in 2019 with a 44.3% increase.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Eastern Africa's dried shelled legumes exports showed relatively diversified market distribution. The top three destinations—India (34.9% of export volume), the United Arab Emirates (5.6%), and Pakistan (5.3%)—collectively accounted for just 45.8% of total export flows, indicating that exports were not heavily concentrated in a few key markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of dried shelled legumes exports from Eastern Africa grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, export value reached 633.5 million US dollars, representing an 18.5% year-over-year increase. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 23.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 412.8 million US dollars, which also experienced a 19.3% decline that year. The strongest annual growth occurred in 2019 with a 29.5% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the value of dried shelled legumes exports from Eastern Africa was distributed across multiple markets. The three largest destinations—India (32.7% of export value), the United Arab Emirates (7.5%), and Pakistan (6.1%)—together accounted for 46.4% of total export flows, indicating a relatively diversified export structure.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes of dried shelled legumes into Eastern Africa showed considerable volatility during this period. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 205 thousand metric tons, while imports peaked in 2020 at 489 thousand metric tons—representing a 2.4-fold difference between these two years. In 2020 specifically, imports surged by 138.7% compared to the previous year. The most significant annual decline occurred in 2018 with a 20.3% decrease.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of dried shelled legumes into Eastern Africa came from a diverse range of sources. The three largest suppliers—the United States (16.7% of import volume), the United Arab Emirates (8.6%), and Ukraine (8.1%)—collectively accounted for only 33.3% of total import flows, indicating a relatively even distribution across multiple origins.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of dried shelled legumes imports into Eastern Africa exhibited significant fluctuations during this period. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 157.0 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2020 at 270.8 million US dollars—representing a 1.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020 specifically, import value increased by 72.5% compared to the previous year. The most substantial annual decline occurred in 2018 with a 26.2% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the value of dried shelled legumes imports into Eastern Africa was characterized by broad market diversification. The three largest sources—the United States (25.9% of import value), the United Arab Emirates (12.3%), and Turkey (6.3%)—together accounted for only 44.5% of total import flows, reflecting a well-distributed import structure across multiple suppliers.

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

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