Dried shelled legumes market in ECOWAS

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, dried shelled legumes production in ECOWAS grew from 17,767 thousand tons to 18,996 thousand tons. The accelerated increase in 2020 coincided with the global COVID-19 pandemic, which boosted consumer demand for staple, shelf-stable foods like legumes across many regions.

Production then contracted to 16,569 thousand tons in 2021 before rebounding sharply to a peak of 19,740 thousand tons in 2022. The market volume followed a similar pattern, reaching 19,801 thousand tons in 2022. By 2023, output had moderated to 18,290 thousand tons with the market size at 18,328 thousand tons.

Production dried shelled legumes in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

ECOWAS has seen its production of dried shelled legumes grow for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 18 996 thousand tonnes, marking a moderate 6.0% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 18.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

ECOWAS experienced a decline in the value of dried shelled legumes production for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 15 835 million US dollars, down 7.9% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 18 848 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 21.2%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with an 8.7% decrease.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, ECOWAS exported 11 182 tonnes of dried shelled legumes, showing a strong 17.9% increase compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 39.7%, averaging an annual decline of 15.5%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 9 487 tonnes, while the peak was in 2018 at 20 007 tonnes. The sharpest drop occurred in 2019, with a 52.6% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export market for dried shelled legumes in kind was highly diversified. Spain accounted for 4.8% of exports, India for 2.8%, and the Netherlands for 1.8%, together making up just 9.4% of total flows. The remaining 90.6% was distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, ECOWAS's exports of dried shelled legumes in value terms reached 9 321 thousand US dollars, reflecting a slight 2.4% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 span, exports decreased by 48.4%, with an average annual decline of 19.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 9 103 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 21 224 thousand US dollars. The largest decline happened in 2019 with a 57.1% drop, and the biggest increase was in 2018 at 17.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export structure in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. The Netherlands contributed 4.6% of exports, India 3.5%, and Spain 2.2%, together representing 10.3% of total flows. Many other countries accounted for the remaining 89.7%.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, ECOWAS's imports of dried shelled legumes in kind rebounded. In 2020, import volume stood at 44 864 tonnes, up 39.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 9.6%, with an average annual decline of 3.3%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 32 275 tonnes, and the largest drop occurred in 2018 with a 30.5% decrease.

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

The import structure in kind from 2017 to 2020 indicates a diverse range of partners. China accounted for 11.5% of imports, the United States for 9.7%, and Argentina for 9.2%, together making up only 30.5% of total flows. The remaining 69.5% was spread across numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year fall, ECOWAS's imports of dried shelled legumes in value terms increased. In 2020, imports totaled 31 632 thousand US dollars, a significant 56.5% rise from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 9.5%, averaging an annual decline of 3.3%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 20 216 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest drop of 36.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, the United States, and Portugal formed the main cluster for imports in value terms. China accounted for 21.8% of imports, the United States for 20.2%, and Portugal for 10.5%, together representing 52.5% of total flows.

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

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