Dried shelled legumes market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the Latin American and Caribbean dried shelled legumes market saw fluctuating volumes, with a dip in 2019 followed by growth. The expansion in 2020, when the market reached 14.4 million tonnes, was supported by the opening of the Chinese market for Argentine peas, a development that created new export channels and encouraged higher production. This positive momentum carried into 2021, with the market volume peaking at 14.8 million tonnes.

A reversal occurred in 2022 and 2023, as the market shrank to 13.2 million tonnes. This contraction was linked to structural challenges in production, including increased competition for agricultural land from more lucrative commercial crops, which displaced legume cultivation to less fertile dryland areas and eroded traditional farming knowledge.

Underlying demand for legumes in the region remained firm, driven by dietary shifts towards plant-based proteins and the growth of value-added segments like legume flour and ingredients. Industry modernization efforts, such as the technical and commercial update sessions organized by the Argentine Legume Chamber, continued to aim at strengthening the sector's foundations.

Production dried shelled legumes in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

In Latin America and the Caribbean, dried shelled legumes production reached its lowest point in 2019 at 13 531 thousand tonnes. The following year, in 2020, output increased by 5.0% year-over-year to 14 206 thousand tonnes. Production peaked in 2018 at 14 400 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline of 6.0% occurring in 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two consecutive years of decline, dried shelled legumes production in Latin America and the Caribbean rebounded in 2020. Output was valued at 13 968 million US dollars, marking a strong 11.8% increase from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 12 492 million US dollars, following the largest decline of 18.3% in 2018. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 22.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 8.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports dried shelled legumes from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, K t

Dried shelled legumes exports from Latin America and the Caribbean grew for the third straight year in 2020, reaching 991 thousand tonnes. This represents a 1.4% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 23.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, dried shelled legumes from Latin America and the Caribbean were exported to a diverse range of markets. India accounted for 7.7% of exports in volume, Turkey for 7.3%, and the United States for 6.9%. Together, these three countries made up 21.9% of total exports, while numerous smaller destinations comprised the remaining 78.1%.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, dried shelled legumes exports from Latin America and the Caribbean increased in 2020. Export value reached 974 million US dollars, showing a moderate 8.0% uptick from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 902 million US dollars, after the largest decline of 8.4% in 2018. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 4.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Turkey, and Algeria were notable but not dominant buyers of dried shelled legumes from Latin America and the Caribbean. The United States accounted for 8.7% of export value, Turkey for 8.4%, and Algeria for 7.0%. Their combined share reached 24.1% of total exports in value terms.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports dried shelled legumes to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, dried shelled legumes imports into Latin America and the Caribbean increased in 2020. Imports reached 1 158 thousand tonnes, reflecting a robust 16.8% rise from the previous year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 991 thousand tonnes, following the largest decline of 7.1% in 2018. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada, the United States, and China were the principal sources for dried shelled legumes imports into Latin America and the Caribbean. Canada accounted for 35.2% of imports in volume, the United States for 25.6%, and China for 4.3%. Together, these three countries supplied 65.0% of total imports.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decrease, dried shelled legumes imports into Latin America and the Caribbean rose in 2020. Import value totalled 1 104 million US dollars, up by 38.5% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 797 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 21.7%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 3.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States, Canada, and China remained the key sources for dried shelled legumes imports into Latin America and the Caribbean in value terms. The United States accounted for 30.6% of import value, Canada for 27.3%, and China for 5.6%. Together, these three countries represented 63.6% of total imports.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020