Dried shelled legumes market in Mauritania

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled legumes in Mauritania remained relatively stable from 2018 to 2023, with annual volumes fluctuating between 105.8 and 107.8 thousand tonnes. A slight increase to 106.9 thousand tonnes in 2021 coincided with a reported 85% supply deficit for vegetables, including legumes, which underscored the country's reliance on imports and likely encouraged local production efforts.

In 2022, the market volume eased to 106.6 thousand tonnes as domestic output softened, though imports grew to 0.9 thousand tonnes. This period was marked by record vegetable exports from Morocco to Mauritania and improved cross-border flows of pulses like cowpea and peanut from regional markets, highlighting the growing influence of external supply channels. Volumes held steady at 106.7 thousand tonnes in 2023.

For 2024, imports rose to 1.3 thousand tonnes amid notable policy shifts, including a temporary customs surcharge on Moroccan vegetables from January to April to protect local producers, followed by its removal in May. Concurrent drought conditions reducing dam reserves and weather-related disruptions in the Senegal River valley further shaped trade flows and local market conditions.

Production dried shelled legumes in Mauritania

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

Mauritania's production of dried shelled legumes declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2020, output remained nearly unchanged at 105 319 tonnes compared to the previous year. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 105 737 tonnes, representing a modest 0.7% increase from 2018.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Mauritania

Industry analysis indicates that Mauritania did not export any dried shelled legumes between 2017 and 2020.

Imports dried shelled legumes to Mauritania

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of dried shelled legumes showed considerable volatility during the period. In 2019, imports peaked at 2 040 tonnes, representing a 35.2% increase from the previous year. The following year saw a dramatic decline, with imports falling to just 461 tonnes in 2020 - a 77.4% decrease from 2019. The difference between the highest and lowest import volumes was substantial, with 2019 levels being 4.4 times higher than those in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Senegal was the primary source of dried shelled legumes imports to Mauritania, accounting for 85.3% of total volume. The remaining imports were distributed among various other trading partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, the value of dried shelled legumes imports to Mauritania declined significantly. In 2019, imports reached their peak at 444.8 thousand US dollars, representing a 2.3% increase from the previous year. However, 2020 saw a sharp reversal with imports dropping to 155.4 thousand US dollars - a 65.1% decrease from 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, import values fell by 63.6%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 28.6%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Senegal maintained its position as the dominant supplier of dried shelled legumes to Mauritania in value terms, accounting for 72.1% of total import value. The remaining imports were spread across multiple other markets.

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

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