Dried shelled legumes market in Laos

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled legumes in Laos increased from 11 730 t in 2018 to 16 245 t in 2020. This expansion was supported by government-led initiatives to promote commercial agriculture, such as the Lao Farmer Market Festival, which raised awareness of local products. The implementation of Prime Minister's Decree No. 42 on SME promotion in 2019 further encouraged local production by facilitating the growth of small and medium enterprises in the agri-food sector.

After 2020, the market volume contracted, reaching 9 315 t by 2023. During this period, authorities continued to organize events like the LAO TOP 3 EXPO and the Lao Food Festival to showcase domestic legumes, and launched an e-commerce platform for agricultural products to improve market access. These measures aimed to sustain demand despite the overall decline in market size.

In 2024, efforts to support the market persisted with preparations for the 20th Lao Food Festival, focusing on digital sales and support for women entrepreneurs, indicating ongoing commitment to promoting local agricultural products.

Production dried shelled legumes in Laos

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

Laos experienced a two-year increase in dried shelled legumes production before seeing a decline. In 2020, the country produced 16,332 tons, marking a 3.0% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 14.3% overall, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 16,835 tons, with that year also seeing the largest annual increase of 15.3%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Laos

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a 5.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Laos exported 731 tons of dried shelled legumes, representing a sharp decline of 82.3% compared to 2019. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 4,124 tons, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 136.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand, China, and South Korea were the primary markets for Laos's dried shelled legumes exports, accounting for 49.8%, 25.0%, and 22.8% of total export volumes, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 97.6% of all export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was marked by volatility during these years. Exports in value terms varied significantly, with an 8.1-fold difference between the peak in 2018 and the low in 2020. In 2020, Laos exported dried shelled legumes worth $254,000, showing a steep contraction of 76.0% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at $2,069,000, with that year also seeing the largest annual increase of 48.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Thailand and South Korea together accounted for 84.6% of Laos's total dried shelled legumes exports in value terms. Other countries contributed to the remaining share, forming a more diversified but less significant portion of the export market.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Laos

Imports in kind, t

Market behavior exhibited volatility during these years. Imports varied widely, with a 13.1-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2019. In 2020, Laos imported 644 tons of dried shelled legumes, representing a dramatic drop of 30.7% compared to 2019. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 930 tons, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 819.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States consistently dominated Laos's dried shelled legumes imports, accounting for 85.4% of total import volumes. This indicates a high concentration on the U.S. market, with the remaining share distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import values reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 10.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Laos's dried shelled legumes imports amounted to $308,000, which is 29.2% less than in 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at $756,000. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 42.5%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 907.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States was the main supplier of dried shelled legumes to Laos in value terms, accounting for 89.7% of total imports. Other trading partners held relatively modest shares during this period.

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

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