Dried shelled legumes market in Middle Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled legumes in Middle Africa contracted in 2019, with production falling to 3 160 thousand tons and total market volume dropping to 3 217 thousand tons. A steady recovery followed over the next four years, led by domestic output which climbed to 3 371 thousand tons by 2023, pushing the overall market size to 3 411 thousand tons.

Trade flows adjusted during this period, with net imports declining until 2021 before rising again from 2022. The lower import volumes until 2021 coincided with the market's stabilization phase, while the subsequent increase in imports contributed to the market expansion observed in 2022 and 2023.

In 2024, import volumes surged to 79 thousand tons, signaling strong ongoing demand. This jump aligns with regional drivers such as rapid demographic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa, which enlarges the consumer base, and the implementation of climate adaptation projects in partnership with UNDP and national environment ministries, aiming to bolster agricultural resilience and food security.

Production dried shelled legumes in Middle Africa

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 2019, Middle Africa's production of dried shelled legumes saw a slight decline of 2.3%. However, production rebounded in 2018, reaching its peak at 3 235 thousand tonnes with a 3.1% increase. By 2020, production stabilized at 3 172 thousand tonnes, showing minimal change compared to 2019.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Middle Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The market for dried shelled legumes exports from Middle Africa showed significant volatility during this period. Exports peaked in 2018 at 6.3 thousand tonnes, but then experienced a sharp decline of 43.0% in 2019. By 2020, exports had fallen further to 2.7 thousand tonnes, marking a 25.3% decrease from the previous year and representing the lowest point in the timeframe—2.4 times lower than the 2018 peak.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda, Nigeria, and Singapore remained the top buyers of dried shelled legumes from Middle Africa. Uganda accounted for 9.7% of exports in kind, Nigeria for 0.7%, and Singapore for 0.5%. Together, these three countries represented 10.9% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Export values for dried shelled legumes from Middle Africa fluctuated noticeably during this period. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 5.7 million US dollars, while the lowest was in 2017, creating a 2.1-fold difference. In 2019, values dropped by 34.5%, and by 2020, they had decreased to 3.2 million US dollars, a 14.1% decline from 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Uganda, Nigeria, and Singapore consistently led as the main destinations for dried shelled legumes exports in value terms. Uganda contributed 2.1% of export value, Nigeria 1.7%, and Singapore 1.2%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 5.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Middle Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of dried shelled legumes into Middle Africa declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 49.3 thousand tonnes—a 19.6% decrease from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 63.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 28.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada, the United States, and Portugal were the leading suppliers of dried shelled legumes to Middle Africa in terms of volume. Canada supplied 58.7% of imports in kind, the United States 7.4%, and Portugal 5.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for 71.4% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of dried shelled legumes imports into Middle Africa continued to decline for the third year in a row in 2020, totaling 55.0 million US dollars—a 12.2% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import values decreased by 47.7%, averaging an annual decline of 19.4%.

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

During 2017–2020, Canada, the United States, and Portugal remained the principal suppliers of dried shelled legumes to Middle Africa in value terms. Canada accounted for 65.5% of import value, the United States for 7.0%, and Portugal for 5.5%. Combined, these three suppliers represented 78.0% of total imports in value terms.

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

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