Dried shelled legumes market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market for dried shelled legumes in Eastern Europe showed variable volumes, declining in 2019 before recovering to 8.7 mln tonnes in 2020. This recovery was supported by stable consumption patterns in Russia and earlier expansion of legume cultivation areas in Ukraine, which increased production capacity. Growing Russian soybean exports during this period also stimulated industry activity.

Market volume entered a phase of sustained growth from 2021 to 2022, peaking at 10.6 mln tonnes. This expansion was facilitated by shifts in production costs that improved the competitiveness of local products, encouraging greater output. Meanwhile, India's closure of its domestic market to imported legumes in 2022 altered international trade flows.

The trend reversed in 2023 as market volume fell sharply to 9.2 mln tonnes, primarily driven by a 2.5‑fold surge in legume exports from Russia, which redirected a large portion of production abroad. Concurrently, both Russia and Ukraine achieved record soybean harvests, with Russia reaching 7 mln tonnes and Ukraine 6 mln tonnes in 2024, reinforcing their roles as major producers and exporters in Europe.

Production dried shelled legumes in Eastern Europe (including Northern 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

After two years of decline, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) saw an increase in dried shelled legumes production. In 2020, the region produced 10 218 thousand tons, marking a 2.0% rise from the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually fell by 28.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 10.4%. The lowest point was in 2019, with 10 013 thousand tons, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018, at 23.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Dried shelled legumes production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 3 520 million US dollars, an 8.2% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 25.4%, averaging a 9.3% annual decline. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 043 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 35.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports dried shelled legumes from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of dried shelled legumes from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 683 thousand tons, a significant drop of 15.1% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 26.6%, with an average annual decrease of 9.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, the export market for dried shelled legumes in kind was diverse. Turkey (18.3% of exports), India (16.6%), and Pakistan (12.9%) together accounted for only 47.7% of total flows, while the remaining 52.3% went to numerous other countries.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) exported dried shelled legumes worth 579.7 million US dollars, a 9.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 23.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -8.7%. The largest drop was in 2018 at 19.6%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019 at 5.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms were spread across a wide range of partner countries. Turkey (17.4% of exports), India (13.2%), and Pakistan (12.4%) combined for just 43.0% of total flows, indicating a highly diversified market.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports dried shelled legumes to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of dried shelled legumes into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region imported 209 thousand tons, a substantial gain of 13.6% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 14.2%, averaging a 4.5% annual growth rate. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 175 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 4.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During 2017-2020, the import sources for dried shelled legumes in kind were quite broad. Kyrgyzstan (9.6% of imports), Canada (9.0%), and Egypt (7.7%) together represented only 26.2% of total flows, highlighting a fragmented supply landscape.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decrease, imports of dried shelled legumes into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) rebounded. In 2020, imports totaled 218.0 million US dollars, a sharp increase of 24.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 17.8%, with an average annual rate of 5.6%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 175.5 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 3.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the import market in value terms remained scattered. Kyrgyzstan (10.4% of imports), the United States (9.5%), and Canada (8.8%) together accounted for just 28.7% of total flows, with no single partner dominating significantly.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020