Dried shelled legumes market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The dried shelled legumes market in Eastern Asia experienced trade-driven adjustments from 2018 to 2020. Sino-U.S. trade friction in 2018 shifted import sourcing toward Brazil, affecting supply chains. Domestic policies aimed at securing soybean supply and improving yields sought to stabilize the supply base in 2019. Subsequently, abundant global soybean harvests, particularly from South America, alongside stable domestic planting, fueled a rise in imports and pushed market volume above 13.4 million tonnes in 2020.

From 2021 to 2023, the market was shaped by record crops and evolving demand. Soybean profitability turned positive in 2021, encouraging industry standardization and branding efforts. Record domestic soybean area and output in 2022, combined with growing consumer health awareness and plant-based protein trends, sustained consumption. The market reached 14.0 million tonnes in 2023, driven by historically high global soybean production that lowered prices and promoted the use of high-protein varieties and product diversification.

Production dried shelled legumes in Eastern 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

Eastern Asia's production of dried shelled legumes has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 10 390 thousand tonnes, marking a 1.0% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 4.2%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of dried shelled legumes production in Eastern Asia was 13 703 million US dollars, down 5.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 14.7%, averaging a 5.2% annual drop. The sharpest decline occurred in 2018 at 12.6%, while 2019 saw a modest increase of 3.3%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of dried shelled legumes from Eastern Asia have fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 353 thousand tonnes, a gradual decline of 3.4% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 14%, with an average annual decrease of 4.9%. The peak was in 2018 at 428 thousand tonnes, followed by the largest decline in 2019 at 14.7%, while 2018 recorded a 4.3% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports of dried shelled legumes from Eastern Asia were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. India accounted for 12.1% of exports, Vietnam for 11.5%, and Cuba for 6.7%, together making up only 30.3% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Eastern Asia's export value of dried shelled legumes has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 465 million US dollars, showing a moderate contraction of 7.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 23.5%, with an average annual decline of 8.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export market for dried shelled legumes in value terms was diverse. Vietnam held 17.2% of export value, India 9.9%, and Cuba 5.6%, together accounting for just 32.7% of total flows. The remaining 67.3% was distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of dried shelled legumes into Eastern Asia have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported 3 419 thousand tonnes, a sharp rise of 38.0% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 115.7%, averaging an annual increase of 29.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada was the dominant supplier of dried shelled legumes to Eastern Asia, capturing 81.5% of total import volumes, while other partners had relatively small shares.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The import value of dried shelled legumes into Eastern Asia has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 1 326 million US dollars, up 25.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 69.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 19.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada, Myanmar, and the United States formed the key group of partners for imports of dried shelled legumes into Eastern Asia in value terms. Canada accounted for 58.9% of import value, Myanmar for 6.7%, and the United States for 4.7%, together representing 70.3% of total flows.

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

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