Dried shelled legumes market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the Hungarian dried shelled legumes market recorded a volume of 65 864 t. That year, new regulations broadened sales channels for small producers, including local producer markets and parcel trade, which improved market access. The following year, market size jumped to 87 064 t, aided by a regulatory change that eliminated previous rules on processing dried legumes into grits and flour, encouraging additional processing activity and supporting domestic production.

After a sharp contraction to 58 702 t in 2020, the market recovered to 69 805 t in 2021. This rebound coincided with continued market rationalization, where weaker farms exited and production standards gradually improved. However, in 2022 severe drought conditions negatively affected harvests, pulling market volume back down to 58 992 t.

A modest recovery to 60 540 t occurred in 2023. During this period, new EU regulations on plant propagating material came into force, aiming to harmonize quality controls for vegetable growing. Meanwhile, a new processing plant using gentle vacuum-drying technology began operations in 2022, pointing to future value-added opportunities. Consumer interest in legumes as a healthy food choice also grew, although only 43% of Hungarian consumers listed legumes among their preferred vegetables.

Production dried shelled legumes in Hungary

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2018-2021

World map of production of dried shelled legumes, 2018-2021

Hungary produced 63 680 tonnes of dried shelled legumes in 2021, marking a 17.3% increase from 2020. However, looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, production actually declined by 6.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.4%. The lowest production level was in 2020 at 54 300 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 82 980 tonnes. The most significant drop was in 2020, down 34.6%, whereas the largest gain was in 2019, up 21.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, the value of dried shelled legumes produced in Hungary reached 111.3 million US dollars, a 25.5% rise from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production value fell by 15%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 88.7 million US dollars, and the highest in 2019 at 140.2 million US dollars. The steepest decline was in 2020, down 36.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Hungary in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports dried shelled legumes from Hungary

Exports in kind, t

Hungary exported 23 100 tonnes of dried shelled legumes in 2021, a decrease of 12.9% from the previous year. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 21 256 tonnes, while the highest was in 2020 at 26 515 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2020, up 24.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Hungary's exports of dried shelled legumes in kind were widely distributed among partner countries. Italy accounted for 12.7% of exports, Spain for 10.3%, and the Netherlands for 7.9%, together making up only 30.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Hungary in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Hungary's exports of dried shelled legumes in value terms amounted to 40 376 thousand US dollars, showing a moderate decrease of 6.7% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports declined by 9.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 35 917 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019, down 19.3%, while the biggest increase was in 2020, up 20.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Hungary in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

The country composition of Hungary's exports in value terms from 2018 to 2021 was dispersed. Italy represented 17.5% of exports, Spain 11.2%, and France 9.1%, together forming just 37.8% of total flows. The remaining 62.2% was spread across a wide range of other destinations.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Hungary in value, 2018-2021

Imports dried shelled legumes to Hungary

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year rise, Hungary's imports of dried shelled legumes in kind declined. In 2021, import volume reached 29 225 tonnes, a modest decrease of 5.5% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 41%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.1%. The highest import volume was in 2020 at 30 917 tonnes. The largest increase was in 2019, up 22.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Canada, the United States, and France were the main sources for Hungary's imports of dried shelled legumes in kind. Canada accounted for 18.4% of imports, the United States for 17.5%, and France for 15.4%, together making up 51.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Hungary in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Hungary imported 39 451 thousand US dollars worth of dried shelled legumes in 2021, showing no significant change from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 5.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 33 654 thousand US dollars, and the highest in 2020 at 39 590 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019, down 10.1%, while the biggest increase was in 2020, up 17.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Hungary in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the United States, France, and Canada remained the principal suppliers of dried shelled legumes to Hungary in value terms. The United States accounted for 39.8% of imports, France for 17.1%, and Canada for 12.4%, jointly representing 69.3% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Hungary in value, 2018-2021