Dried shelled legumes market in Myanmar

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for dried shelled legumes in Myanmar declined from 6.1 million tons in 2018 to 5.4 million tons in 2022, before stabilizing at 5.4 million tons in 2023. This contraction was primarily driven by a sustained increase in exports, which diverted production away from domestic consumption. Vegetable exports nearly doubled in value from 2018 to 2019, and by 2022 Myanmar became a leading global exporter of dried leguminous vegetables, with significant shipments to India reaching hundreds of millions of dollars.

Regulatory developments also shaped the market environment. In 2020, the Myanmar FDA introduced stringent testing requirements for food products, including dried vegetables, to enhance safety standards. These measures were followed in early 2024 by a new Food Product Notification system and stricter labeling guidelines, aiming to improve traceability and market access. Concurrently, the Ministry of Agriculture emphasized enforcement against fraudulent agricultural inputs, supporting market integrity.

Underlying these shifts, consumer preferences in Myanmar increasingly favored healthier and more convenient food options, boosting demand for dried legumes. Simultaneously, the seed market saw increased adoption of hybrid seeds by major players like Charoen Pokphand, supporting crop yields and quality. However, the strong focus on export markets and evolving regulatory landscape meant that domestic market volume did not expand despite these supportive trends.

Production dried shelled legumes in Myanmar

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Myanmar maintained the 5th position globally in terms of dried shelled legumes production volume.

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

Myanmar's dried shelled legumes production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 7 214 K t, marking a slight contraction of 2.8% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 12.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.2%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Myanmar

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Myanmar's foreign supplies of dried shelled legumes amounted to 1 332 K t, representing a moderate increase of 5.0% versus the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 269 K t, while the highest was in 2018 at 1 391 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 8.8%, whereas the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 5.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India, China, and Singapore were the largest buyers of dried shelled legumes from Myanmar. India accounted for 46.7% of exports in kind, China for 18.1%, and Singapore for 6.8%, collectively forming 71.7% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Myanmar's dried shelled legumes exports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 1 154 M $ US worth of dried shelled legumes, reflecting a sharp gain of 26.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 25.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 763 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 16.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, China, and Singapore consistently held leading positions in Myanmar's export structure by value. India accounted for 39.4% of exports in value terms, China for 26.7%, and Singapore for 7.2%, jointly representing 73.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Myanmar

Imports in kind, K t

Myanmar's dried shelled legumes imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 0.5 K t, which is 81.8% less than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 99.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -84.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada and Ukraine were the primary sources of dried shelled legumes imports for Myanmar. Canada accounted for 44.4% of total flows, and Ukraine for 43.9%, together forming 88.4% of total imports in kind, with the remainder distributed among other partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Myanmar's dried shelled legumes imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 0.1 M $ US, reflecting a dramatic drop of 83.8% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 99.8%, equating to an annualized rate of -86.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada and Ukraine remained the main suppliers of dried shelled legumes to Myanmar. Their combined share accounted for 86.3% of total imports in value terms, with the rest fragmented across other countries.

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

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