Dried shelled legumes market in Mexico

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled legumes in Mexico experienced significant volatility from 2018 to 2023. After starting at 3.3 million tons in 2018, market volume dropped sharply to 2.3 million tons in 2019, then recovered to a peak of 3.2 million tons in 2021 before declining again to 2.1 million tons in 2023. This pattern was influenced by a production structure concentrated in rural family units, where over 90% of output was for self-consumption, limiting consistent commercial supply.

A downward trend in legume consumption among Mexican adults, falling from 10 to 7.7 grams per day between 2012 and 2020, exerted pressure on domestic demand and contributed to market contractions in 2019 and the 2022-2023 period. The temporary rebound in 2021 aligned with the sector's long-term average annual production growth of 1.4% over the preceding decade.

Changes in agricultural inputs also played a role, as the seed market shifted toward hybrid varieties, which accounted for 83% of the market in 2022. This focus on improved seeds could influence planting decisions and productivity for legume crops, adding to the evolving production landscape.

Production dried shelled legumes in Mexico

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Mexico ranked 13th globally in dried shelled legume production between 2018 and 2021.

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2018-2021

World map of production of dried shelled legumes, 2018-2021

Mexico's dried shelled legume production rose for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 3 132 K t, marking a 21.7% increase from 2020. However, over the full 2018–2021 period, production fell by 4.7%, averaging a 1.6% annual decline. The lowest output was in 2019 at 2 347 K t, which also saw the steepest drop of 28.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports dried shelled legumes from Mexico

Exports in kind, K t

Mexico's dried shelled legume exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 146.0 K t, a sharp 13.2% decrease from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports dropped by 41.1%, with an average annual decline of 16.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the top destinations for Mexico's dried shelled legume exports by volume were the United States (18.5%), Venezuela (17.2%), and Algeria (17.1%). Together, these three countries accounted for 52.8% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Mexico in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, Mexico's dried shelled legume exports in value terms rebounded. In 2021, exports reached 164.9 M $ US, a robust 19.8% increase compared to 2020. However, over the 2018–2021 period, export value fell by 32.1%, with an average annual decline of 12.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 137.7 M $ US, while the largest drop occurred in 2019 at 31.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, the United States (21.8%), Algeria (17.4%), and Turkey (16.7%) led Mexico's dried shelled legume exports by value. Combined, these three markets represented 55.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Mexico in value, 2018-2021

Imports dried shelled legumes to Mexico

Imports in kind, K t

Mexico's dried shelled legume imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports stood at 222.4 K t, a 12.1% rise from 2020. Over the 2018–2021 period, imports decreased by 6.7%, with an average annual decline of 2.3%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 160.8 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 32.5%. In contrast, the biggest increase occurred in 2020 at 23.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Mexico's dried shelled legume imports by volume were highly concentrated, with the United States and Canada together accounting for 99.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Mexico in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Mexico's dried shelled legume imports in value terms grew for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports amounted to approximately 211.7 M $ US, a solid 10.2% increase from the previous year. However, over the 2018–2021 period, import value fell by 10.2%, with an average annual decline of 3.5%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 143.4 M $ US, which also saw the steepest drop of 39.2%. The largest increase was recorded in 2020 at 33.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mexico in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, the United States dominated Mexico's dried shelled legume imports by value, accounting for 75.6% of total flows. The remaining share was spread across several smaller markets.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Mexico in value, 2018-2021