Dried shelled legumes market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2022, the market for dried shelled legumes in Germany expanded significantly, with market volume growing from 1.05 million tonnes to 1.48 million tonnes. This growth was primarily driven by the federal government's Eiweißpflanzenstrategie (Protein Crop Strategy), which from 2018 onwards provided subsidies and support programs to encourage farmers to increase legume cultivation. The publication of dietary recommendations by the German Nutrition Society (DGE) in 2020, advising an annual consumption of 6.5 kg of legumes, substantially boosted consumer demand. By 2022, the cultivated area for legumes in Germany had increased by 50.3%, reaching 2.1% of arable land, which directly raised domestic production to 1.33 million tonnes.

Production and market volume declined in 2023 to 1.06 million tonnes and 1.24 million tonnes, respectively. This contraction was partly a consequence of unfavorable weather conditions in the previous year that led to harvest losses and prompted more cautious planting decisions. Additionally, a reduction in soybean cultivation area due to import uncertainties and climate risks contributed to a lower overall legume harvest. During this period, strong consumer demand for plant-based protein continued, evidenced by the launch of new product segments like vegan pasta and legume-based snacks in retail.

Regulatory and policy factors consistently shaped the market. The EU's sustainability and climate policies increased pressure to integrate legumes into crop rotations. From 2020, labeling requirements for origin and quality under EU regulations began influencing packaging standards. In 2023, campaigns by environmental organizations called for a more effective protein strategy, anchoring a political target of 10% legume cultivation area by 2030.

Production dried shelled legumes in Germany

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany ranked 28th globally in terms of dried shelled legumes production volume.

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

Germany's production of dried shelled legumes has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1 230.7 thousand tons, marking a sharp rise of 35.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 16.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 829.1 thousand tons, which represented the largest decline of 21.3% during this timeframe.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's dried shelled legumes production value has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 976.7 million US dollars, equivalent to a sharp gain of 36.3% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 14.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 699.8 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 18.0%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's exports of dried shelled legumes have grown for the second year running. In 2020, the country exported 106.6 thousand tons, showing a solid improvement of 17.6% over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 37.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 11.2%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 71.2 thousand tons, which experienced the largest decline of 8.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 27.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's export partners for dried shelled legumes were quite diverse. Egypt accounted for 20.5% of exports in volume, Italy for 14.3%, and the Netherlands for 12.5%. Together, these three countries represented only 47.3% of total export flows, while the remaining 52.7% was distributed among many other nations.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's export value of dried shelled legumes has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 84.6 million US dollars, corresponding to a significant rise of 18.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 34.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 60.1 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 4.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with an 18.7% gain.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's export value of dried shelled legumes was not heavily concentrated. Egypt accounted for 12.0% of exports in value terms, Austria for 9.6%, and Italy for 9.3%. Combined, these three countries captured only 30.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Import volumes hit a low in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 1.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Germany imported 245.9 thousand tons of dried shelled legumes, representing a slight increase of 0.7% compared to 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 295.9 thousand tons, which saw the largest increase of 70.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 17.5%.

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

The structure of Germany's imports in volume from 2017 to 2020 indicates a diversified set of partners. Poland accounted for 12.2% of imports in kind, Lithuania for 8.9%, and Russia for 8.0%. Together, these three countries jointly accounted for only 29.2% of total import flows, while the remaining 70.8% was dispersed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany imported 164.0 million US dollars worth of dried shelled legumes in 2020, which is 22.7% higher than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 28.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with an 11.9% decrease.

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

The country composition of Germany's imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was dispersed. Turkey accounted for 14.1% of imports in value terms, Canada for 11.3%, and the Netherlands for 10.3%. Together, these three countries formed just 35.7% of total import flows, with the remaining 64.3% split among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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