Dried shelled legumes market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled legumes in the MENA region showed considerable movement between 2018 and 2023. In physical terms, market volume grew from 5 147 тыс. т in 2018 to a peak of 6 026 тыс. т in 2019, then contracted in 2020 before recovering to 5 508 тыс. т by 2023. In value terms, the market followed a different pattern, declining to 4 786 млн $ in 2019 but subsequently rising to 5 955 млн $ in 2023, indicating shifts in both quantity and underlying pricing or product mix.

A key development in 2021 was the formation of a new strategic alliance, as KissanPro partnered with Barakat Vegetables & Fruit Co. to facilitate the flow of agricultural produce into the Middle East. This entry of new players and strengthening of supply chains coincided with a rise in market volume to 5 565 тыс. т that year. Later, the market's recovery in 2023 was supported by broader industry trends, including growing global demand for dehydrated vegetables and the increased adoption of advanced drying technologies like vacuum and spray drying, which enhanced product quality and variety.

Moving into 2024, continued government investments in integrated agricultural development projects, such as the South Valley project in Egypt, worked to bolster the production base for fresh vegetables. Simultaneously, rising consumer awareness around health and sustainability, influenced by environmental advocates within the region, further shaped demand dynamics for dried legume products.

Production dried shelled legumes in MENA

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 2020, MENA produced 3 194 K t of dried shelled legumes, marking a 4.5% decrease from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 6.1%, which translates to an annualized decline of 2.1%. The largest drop occurred in 2018, with a 5.9% reduction, while the biggest increase was seen in 2019, at 4.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

MENA's dried shelled legumes production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 3 524 M $ US, showing minimal change year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 3.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -1.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 4 136 M $ US. The most significant decline happened in 2019, with a 14.5% drop, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 13.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in MENA in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports dried shelled legumes from MENA

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, MENA's volume of dried shelled legumes exports rebounded. In 2020, exports reached 497 K t, representing a 26.4% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 10.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 393 K t, and the largest decline occurred in 2018, with an 11.1% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export partner landscape for dried shelled legumes in kind was diverse. India accounted for 6.2% of exports, Turkey for 4.8%, and Somalia for 3.4%, together making up only 14.5% of total flows. The remaining 85.5% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, foreign dried shelled legumes supplies from MENA totaled 548 M $ US, a 31.8% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 14.1%, with a CAGR of 4.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 416 M $ US, and the largest decline occurred that same year, with a 19.3% drop.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export partner landscape in value terms was broad. India contributed 4.6% of exports, Turkey 4.3%, and Pakistan 4.2%, together accounting for just 13.1% of total flows. The substantial majority, 86.9%, came from or went to many other countries.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to MENA

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, MENA imported a total of dried shelled legumes, showing a strong reduction of 17.3% compared to the previous year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 345 K t, while the maximum was in 2019 at 3 076 K t. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 31.2% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of dried shelled legumes in kind to MENA were characterized by a wide spread across markets. Canada accounted for 21.0% of imports, Turkey for 14.4%, and Australia for 11.7%, together making up only 47.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decrease, dried shelled legumes deliveries to MENA increased. In 2020, imports registered 1 916 M $ US, constituting a strong rise of 15.1% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 21.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 664 M $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 23.8% drop.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, the supplier portfolio for dried shelled legumes to MENA was broad. Canada contributed 16.9% of imports in value terms, Turkey 14.4%, and Australia 12.1%, together accounting for only 43.4% of total imports. Many other countries held smaller but notable shares.

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

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