Dried shelled legumes market in GCC

Earlier Report Observations

The GCC market for dried shelled legumes expanded from 491 000 tonnes in 2018 to 560 000 tonnes by 2020. This initial growth was supported by a structural trade deficit in basic food commodities, which increased reliance on imports to meet rising demand from a growing population. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further emphasized food security concerns, leading to supply chain adjustments and a focus on securing agricultural imports, including dried legumes.

After a temporary contraction to 511 000 tonnes in 2021, market volume recovered strongly to 596 000 tonnes in 2022. The subsequent year saw the most significant increase, with the market reaching 732 000 tonnes in 2023.

The robust growth in 2023 occurred alongside developing regional strategies for food security and economic diversification. These initiatives, which included support for the agriculture and livestock sectors, investments in supply chain infrastructure such as 'green corridors', and national agricultural incentives, created a favorable environment for market expansion.

Production dried shelled legumes in GCC

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

GCC's production of dried shelled legumes has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 29 165 tonnes, marking a slight decrease of 0.6% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following a two-year downturn, GCC's dried shelled legumes production saw an increase in value. In 2020, the output was valued at 27 868 thousand US dollars, representing a significant rise of 19.8% over the past year. However, from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 10.1%, averaging a 3.5% annual decline. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 23 256 thousand US dollars, with the largest drop occurring in 2018 at 16.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in GCC in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports dried shelled legumes from GCC

Exports in kind, K t

Cross-border shipments of dried shelled legumes from GCC have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 356.2 thousand tonnes, showing a robust year-on-year growth of 15.0%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 31.4%, with an average annual increase of 9.5%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 270.6 thousand tonnes, which also saw a minor decline of 0.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran, India, and Iraq were key buyers of dried shelled legumes from GCC, accounting for 23.3%, 7.4%, and 7.0% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they made up 37.8% of total exports, while the remaining 62.2% was distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Dried shelled legumes exports from GCC have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, GCC exported 340.4 million US dollars worth of dried shelled legumes, equivalent to a sharp increase of 38.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 23%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 236.2 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 14.6%.

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

During 2017–2020, the partner structure for exports in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. Iran, Iraq, and India accounted for 27.9%, 6.3%, and 5.4% of exports in value, respectively, jointly representing 39.6% of total flows. Many other countries made up the remaining 60.4%.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to GCC

Imports in kind, K t

GCC's imports of dried shelled legumes have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 887.0 thousand tonnes, up by 9.2% compared to the previous year. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.4%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 732.4 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 20.7%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the largest increase at 10.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country breakdown of imports in kind was scattered. Canada, Australia, and Myanmar accounted for 28.2%, 15.3%, and 5.4% of imports in kind, respectively, together making up 48.9% of total flows. No single partner stood out as clearly dominant.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Dried shelled legumes imports into GCC have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, GCC imported 601.7 million US dollars worth of dried shelled legumes, representing a strong year-on-year rise of 19.6%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 22%, averaging an annual decline of 8.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 501.1 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest drop of 35.1%.

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

In 2017–2020, Canada, Australia, and India were among the largest suppliers of dried shelled legumes to GCC, accounting for 22.8%, 14.6%, and 6.2% of imports in value terms, respectively. Even combined, they represented just 43.5% of total imports, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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