Dried shelled legumes market in Kenya

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the Kenyan dried shelled legumes market showed considerable volatility. Market volume began at 2.7 million tons in 2018, fell to 2.5 million tons in 2019, and then recovered to 2.6 million tons in 2020. A pronounced drop occurred in 2021, reducing the market to 2.0 million tons, followed by a rebound to 2.4 million tons in 2022.

The market grew strongly in 2023, reaching 2.8 million tons, as production increased to 2.7 million tons. This expansion was driven by rising domestic consumption of dehydrated foods spurred by urbanization and lifestyle shifts, alongside a strategic pivot in exports toward high-growth markets like India where shipments rose substantially.

In 2024, while complete market volume figures are unavailable, trade flows were reshaped by stricter EU pesticide residue regulations that curtailed exports to Europe. This prompted a further diversification of exports to alternative destinations such as India and the Middle East, while the Red Sea shipping crisis added logistical complexity to horticulture supply chains.

Production dried shelled legumes in Kenya

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Kenya ranked 15th globally in the production of dried shelled legumes.

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Kenya produced 2 567 K t of dried shelled legumes, marking a modest year-over-year increase of 7.4%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 10.6%, which translates to an annualized rate of 3.4%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decline of 4.0%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Kenya

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, showing a 3.8-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Kenya exported 97.5 K t of dried shelled legumes, a substantial 278.2% increase from the previous year. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 25.8 K t, with the largest decline that year amounting to 67.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India (24.3% of exports in kind), Pakistan (24.1% of exports in kind), and Uganda (15.6% of exports in kind) were the top buyers of dried shelled legumes from Kenya, collectively accounting for 64.1% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Market behavior was marked by volatility in these years. Export values hit their lowest in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 6.7-fold gap between the two. In 2020, the value of dried shelled legumes exported from Kenya reached 76.2 M $ US, a dramatic 573.7% rise compared to the previous year. The minimum value was 11.3 M $ US in 2019, and the largest decline that year was 71.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, Pakistan, India, and Uganda were the three main markets, together absorbing 60.3% of the total export value of dried shelled legumes from Kenya.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Kenya

Imports in kind, K t

Kenya's imports of dried shelled legumes declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 122.6 K t, a 1.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 58.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -25.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda (51.8% of imports in kind), Tanzania (14.3% of imports in kind), and Ethiopia (13.9% of imports in kind) were the primary sources for Kenya's imports in kind, together making up 80.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Kenya's import volume of dried shelled legumes declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 42.2 M $ US, reflecting a 2.9% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 58.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -25.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Uganda (49.9% of imports in value terms), the United States (13.4% of imports in value terms), and Tanzania (12.5% of imports in value terms) led as the main suppliers of dried shelled legumes to Kenya, jointly accounting for 75.8% of total imports in value terms.

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

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