Dried shelled legumes market in Ecuador

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled legumes in Ecuador grew from 57 thousand tons in 2018 to 71 thousand tons in 2021. This expansion was underpinned by state agricultural policies, including insurance programs and enhanced access to credit and technology, which strengthened production capacity. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 significantly boosted demand as consumers sought affordable, nutritious protein sources, shifting consumption patterns toward locally produced legumes.

Market volume declined to 59 thousand tons in 2022, influenced by adverse climatic factors like droughts and regulatory changes following a comprehensive study of agri-food supply chains. Recovery followed in 2023, with the market reaching 65 thousand tons, driven by rising health consciousness, a growing vegan trend among Ecuadorian consumers, and the increased adoption of e-commerce platforms that improved product accessibility.

Production dried shelled legumes in Ecuador

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

Ecuador produced 34 607 tons of dried shelled legumes in 2020, marking a 14.7% decline from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 36%, with a compound annual growth rate of -13.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 33 723 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 37.7%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase at 20.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ecuador in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports dried shelled legumes from Ecuador

Exports in kind, t

Ecuador's exports of dried shelled legumes grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 8 688 tons, showing a modest 5.2% increase compared to 2019. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 6 912 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 21.4%. The following year, 2019, recorded the biggest increase at 19.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia was the leading destination for Ecuador's dried shelled legume exports in volume terms, accounting for 70.1% of total flows, while other markets made up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Ecuador's dried shelled legume exports in value terms increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 12 081 thousand US dollars, representing a 19.5% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 72.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 20.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 6 238 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 10.8%. In 2019, exports surged by 62.1%, the highest increase in the period.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Colombia dominated Ecuador's dried shelled legume exports in value, capturing 70.0% of total flows, with the rest distributed among a fragmented group of other markets.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Ecuador

Imports in kind, t

Ecuador's imports of dried shelled legumes in volume terms stood at 39 200 tons in 2020, reflecting a dramatic 49.7% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 30.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 9.3%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 26 191 tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 13.4%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Canada was the primary source for Ecuador's dried shelled legume imports in volume, holding an 83.8% share of total flows, with the remainder distributed among other partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Ecuador's imports of dried shelled legumes in value terms rebounded in 2020. Imports reached 15 722 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp 59.6% year-over-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 11.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 15 722 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 28.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada remained the dominant source for Ecuador's dried shelled legume imports in value terms, accounting for 81.0% of total flows, with the rest fragmented across other markets.

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

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