Dried shelled legumes market in Israel

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled legumes in Israel saw considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023, starting at a high of 75 190 tons in 2018 before dropping to 60 776 tons in 2019. This contraction aligned with broad food price inflation driven by rising input costs, taxes, and a highly concentrated market structure that enhanced the pricing power of major suppliers. Although consumer trends favoring healthy and premium foods were noted earlier, they did not offset the demand pressure from higher prices.

A partial recovery followed, with the market volume reaching 72 352 tons by 2021. This period was marked by supply chain disruptions stemming from the global crisis, affecting legume availability and cost. The competitive landscape also shifted with the entry of new players in adjacent food segments, while six large retail chains strengthened their grip on distribution, potentially influencing market access. However, another wave of inflation and soaring import prices in 2022 weighed on consumption, pulling the market down to 66 443 tons.

From 2023, regulatory focus on cost of living and market concentration intensified. The State Comptroller scrutinized import barriers and monopolistic practices, advocating for legislative action. The 'What is good for Europe is good for Israel' reform was finalized in July 2024, signaling upcoming regulatory changes. Directly targeting legumes, a state committee recommended their inclusion in the price-controlled staple food list in 2024 to improve access to healthy diets, reflecting sustained consumer interest in Mediterranean eating patterns. Amid persistent supply chain challenges and high inflation, the market volume settled at 60 450 tons in 2023.

Production dried shelled legumes in Israel

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

After two consecutive years of decline, Israel's production of dried shelled legumes increased in 2020. That year, production reached 29 825 tonnes, showing no significant change from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 59.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 26.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 29 708 tonnes. The largest annual decline occurred in 2018, when production fell by 38.5%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Israel

Exports in kind, t

The export market for dried shelled legumes from Israel showed considerable volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 4.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Israel exported 1 890 tonnes of dried shelled legumes, representing a dramatic increase of 226.0% from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, when exports fell by 5.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom were the primary destinations for Israel's dried shelled legume exports. The United States accounted for 42.5% of exports by volume, Ukraine for 20.9%, and the United Kingdom for 19.0%. Together, these three markets represented 82.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market in value terms also exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a threefold difference between these years. In 2020, the value of dried shelled legume exports from Israel reached 1 375 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial increase of 204.2% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 452 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when export value fell by 33.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom were the main markets for Israel's dried shelled legume exports in value terms. The United States accounted for 37.8% of export value, Ukraine for 25.8%, and the United Kingdom for 16.3%. Collectively, these three markets represented 79.9% of total export flows by value.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Israel

Imports in kind, t

Israel's imports of dried shelled legumes increased for the second consecutive year in 2020. That year, imports reached approximately 36 196 tonnes, up by 14.4% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 7.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.6%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 30 416 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, when imports fell by 9.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Canada, Argentina, and Turkey—together accounted for 56.4% of Israel's total imports of dried shelled legumes by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of contraction, Israel's imports of dried shelled legumes in value terms increased in 2020. That year, imports amounted to 32 535 thousand US dollars, representing a 20.9% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 12%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 26 907 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, when import value fell by 14.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada, Argentina, and Turkey were the primary sources for Israel's dried shelled legume imports in value terms. Canada accounted for 25.3% of import value, Argentina for 20.7%, and Turkey for 9.7%. Together, these three markets represented 55.7% of total import flows by value.

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

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