Dried shelled legumes market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

Italy's dried shelled legumes market saw a production recovery in 2018, especially for chickpeas and lentils, though domestic output still relied on imports to meet demand. This contributed to an initial market volume of 826 thousand tons.

Market volume expanded to a peak of 953 thousand tons in 2020 before declining over the following two years, with value movements reflecting both consumption shifts and price changes.

By 2023, the market rebounded to 825 thousand tons, driven by product innovation such as legume-based beverages and snacks, alongside strong retail sales and expanded cultivation projects that supported domestic supply.

Production dried shelled legumes in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

Italy's production of dried shelled legumes declined in 2020 after two consecutive years of growth. The country produced 472.0 thousand tonnes that year, representing a moderate decrease of 3.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 17.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.5%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 490.4 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 11.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Italy's dried shelled legumes production was valued at 702.3 million US dollars, showing a 3.9% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value rose by 19.1%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 6.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 758.5 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 28.6%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 10.9% drop.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Italy's exports of dried shelled legumes increased for the second consecutive year in 2020. The export volume reached 21.7 thousand tonnes, showing minimal change compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 10.7%, corresponding to an annualized decline of 3.7%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 16.8 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest annual decrease of 30.8%. The most substantial increase occurred in 2019 with 28.4% growth.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy's dried shelled legumes exports were distributed across a diverse range of partner countries. France accounted for 17.9% of export volume, Germany for 13.3%, and Turkey for 9.1%. Together, these three countries represented just 40.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Italy's dried shelled legumes exports grew for the second year in a row in 2020. Export value reached 32.3 million US dollars, reflecting a moderate increase of 8.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value declined by 9.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 29.1 million US dollars, which experienced the largest annual decrease of 18.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's dried shelled legumes export value was distributed across numerous countries without any clear dominance. France represented 15.9% of export value, Germany 14.4%, and Turkey 7.4%. Combined, these three countries accounted for just 37.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Italy's imports of dried shelled legumes surged in 2020, reaching 502.3 thousand tonnes. This represented a dramatic increase of 33.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volume grew by 32.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.8%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 376.0 thousand tonnes, which saw a 7.2% decline.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia was Italy's largest supplier of dried shelled legumes by volume, accounting for 20.7% of imports. Canada followed with 14.5%, and the United States with 11.4%. Together, these three countries represented 46.6% of total import volume, with the remainder distributed among numerous smaller partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Italy's imports of dried shelled legumes increased in 2020 after two years of decline. Import value reached 342.6 million US dollars, reflecting a substantial rise of 35.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 16%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 253.3 million US dollars, which experienced the largest annual decrease of 12.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's dried shelled legumes import value was dispersed across multiple countries. Canada accounted for 17.5% of import value, the United States for 15.7%, and Argentina for 15.5%. Together, these three countries represented 48.7% of total import flows, with the remaining 51.3% distributed among a wide range of other suppliers.

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

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