Dried shelled legumes market in Lebanon, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market for dried shelled legumes in Lebanon expanded from 46 172 t to 73 771 t. This growth was supported by the opening of a new sustainable agriculture and eco-tourism complex in Upper Chouf, which improved market access for small farmers and cooperatives and boosted local production. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further increased demand for long-shelf-life staples like dried legumes, driving up imports and overall market volume.

A sharp economic crisis, marked by hyperinflation and currency depreciation, led to a market contraction to 53 654 t by 2022. During this period, government policies focused on supporting local producers and improving supply chains were implemented to mitigate the downturn, but could not offset the broader collapse in purchasing power and the rising cost of imports.

The market stabilized at 54 473 t in 2023, aided by a recovery in exports to 3 813 t, reflecting a policy shift toward quality improvement and external markets. Recent developments include new export regulations for markets like the UAE and Germany, alongside a growing consumer preference for organic and healthy foods, which are reshaping the sector's prospects.

Production dried shelled legumes in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

Lebanon's production of dried shelled legumes has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 23,485 tonnes, marking a 17.7% rise compared to 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually decreased by 8.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 19,498 tonnes, with that year also seeing the largest decline of 24.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Lebanon's dried shelled legumes production has grown for the second year in a row in value terms. In 2020, the output was valued at 21,090 thousand US dollars, representing a solid increase of 10.1% over 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 4.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 15,832 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 21.6%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 21.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lebanon in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports dried shelled legumes from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Lebanon's exports of dried shelled legumes have rebounded. In 2020, exports totaled 6,251 tonnes, showing an uptick of 17.3% compared to the previous year. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 39.4%, equating to an average annual decline of 15.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 5,327 tonnes, with that year also marking the largest decline of 40.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Lebanon's export destinations for dried shelled legumes in kind were quite scattered. Syria accounted for 25.6% of exports, Turkey for 17.3%, and Germany for 7.1%. Together, these three countries represented just 50.0% of total export flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year decrease, Lebanon's exports of dried shelled legumes in value terms have increased. In 2020, exports amounted to 5,614 thousand US dollars, up by 9.8% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, exports decreased by 30.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -11.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 5,113 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 30.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Syria was the largest buyer of Lebanese dried shelled legumes in value terms, accounting for 26.0% of exports, followed by Turkey at 14.8% and Germany at 7.9%. Even combined, these three countries represented only 48.6% of total export value, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

Lebanon's imports of dried shelled legumes have increased for the second consecutive year in volume terms. In 2020, imports tallied 56,537 tonnes, up by 36.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 43.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.8%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 35,683 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 9.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Lebanon's import sources for dried shelled legumes in kind were balanced rather than concentrated. Canada accounted for 22.3% of imports, Turkey for 12.2%, and Australia for 10.2%. Together, these three countries represented 44.7% of total import flows, with many other countries making up the remaining 55.3%.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year drop, Lebanon's imports of dried shelled legumes in value terms have increased. In 2020, imports amounted to 32,188 thousand US dollars, showing a gain of 37.1% versus the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 5.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -1.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 32,188 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 19.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Lebanon's import partner landscape for dried shelled legumes in value terms was wide. Canada accounted for 20.0% of imports, Argentina for 10.3%, and the United States for 10.1%. Together, these three countries formed only 40.4% of total import flows, with a substantial 59.6% coming from many other countries.

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

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