Dried shelled legumes market in India

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the Indian dried shelled legumes market showed a general upward trend in volume, recovering from a contraction in 2019 to reach a peak of 57.2 million tons in 2022. The market's initial strength was underpinned by India's diverse agro-climatic zones, which enable year-round cultivation, and consistent government policies designed to strengthen agricultural exports.

The recovery and expansion were catalyzed by specific developments. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted global supply chains but simultaneously increased domestic and international demand for processed, packaged vegetables, supporting market volume. Subsequent years saw renewed investments in cold chain and processing infrastructure, coupled with policy shifts like enhanced export incentives and eased regulatory compliance, which boosted production capacity. By 2022, despite global supply chain disruptions and rising commodity prices, a focus on packaging innovations such as Modified Atmospheric Packaging helped sustain volume growth by extending product shelf life and meeting export standards.

In 2023, the market volume experienced a slight decrease to 56.0 million tons, while its value rose significantly to $56.7 billion, reflecting changes in pricing dynamics and possibly a shift toward higher-value product segments.

Production dried shelled legumes in India

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

India was the world's leading producer of dried shelled legumes from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, India produced 49,166 thousand tonnes of dried shelled legumes, marking a moderate increase of 8.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3%, averaging an annualized rate of 1.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 45,434 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 50,390 thousand tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 9.8%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from India

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes showed an unstable trend during this period. The lowest point was in 2017, and the highest was in 2018, representing a 2.3-fold difference. In 2020, exports from India reached 284 thousand tonnes, a sharp increase of 39.3% compared to the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 316 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 35.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 130.9%.

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

The export market for dried shelled legumes was diverse from 2017 to 2020. The top three destinations—Algeria (12.0% of exports), the United Arab Emirates (9.5%), and the United States (8.8%)—collectively accounted for only 30.3% of total flows, with the remaining 69.7% distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of dried shelled legumes exports from India totaled 261 million US dollars, a sharp increase of 36.3% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 31.7%, averaging an annualized rate of 9.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 192 million US dollars, and the highest was in 2018 at 291 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 34.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 47.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India traded dried shelled legumes with many countries. Even the largest destinations—Algeria, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates—together represented only 33.0% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to India

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, India imported 2,394 thousand tonnes of dried shelled legumes, reflecting a strong decrease of 21.7% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 64%, averaging an annualized decline of 28.9%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 2,394 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 65.8%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 34.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest sources for imports in kind were Canada, Australia, and Myanmar, which together accounted for 61.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The import market displayed volatility during the observed period. The lowest value was in 2018, and the highest was in 2017, with a 3.7-fold difference between them. In 2020, the value of imported dried shelled legumes in India amounted to 1,568 million US dollars, indicating a slight advance of 1.0% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1,072 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 72.8%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 44.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada (25.3% of imports in value terms), Australia (20.1%), and Myanmar (19.3%) accounted for the largest share of imports, together comprising 64.6% of total flows.

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

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