Dried shelled legumes market in Nepal

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the dried shelled legumes market in Nepal expanded significantly, with volume rising from 939 thousand tons to 1 126 thousand tons and value more than doubling to over 1.1 billion dollars. This growth was driven by government policies promoting commercial pulse production and improved market access, followed by a surge in demand for shelf-stable foods during the COVID-19 pandemic.

After peaking in 2020, the market entered a contraction phase. Volume fell to 824 thousand tons by 2023, with value dropping to 867 million dollars. The decline coincided with the reinforcement of pesticide safety laws and stricter food quality standards, which likely tightened supply conditions. Despite the emergence of new product segments like ready-to-use dried vegetable mixes, overall market size continued to shrink.

Throughout the period, consumer preferences gradually shifted towards organic and processed dried legumes, supported by the expansion of online sales channels and modern retail. These trends helped sustain demand even as regulatory changes and post-pandemic adjustments reshaped the market landscape.

Production dried shelled legumes in Nepal

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

Nepal's dried shelled legumes production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 787.0 thousand tons, marking a 5.0% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 5.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 731.0 thousand tons, which represented a 2.3% decline from the previous year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of Nepal's dried shelled legumes production has also risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 958.5 million US dollars, showing a robust 19.0% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 12.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 607.9 million US dollars, which marked a significant 28.8% drop. However, the following year saw the largest increase of 32.5%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Nepal

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes of dried shelled legumes from Nepal have shown irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their peak in 2018 at 14.1 thousand tons, then fell to their lowest point in 2020 at 2.7 thousand tons, representing a 5.2-fold difference between these years. The 2020 export volume marked a sharp 75.7% decline compared to 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 72.0% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bangladesh was the almost exclusive buyer of dried shelled legumes from Nepal, accounting for 93.4% of total exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in export values during this period. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 12.1 million US dollars, which then fell to a trough in 2020 at 3.3 million US dollars, creating a top-to-bottom ratio of 3.6 times. The 2020 export value represented a steep 72.5% drop compared to the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 25.2% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bangladesh served as the key and nearly sole market for Nepal's dried shelled legumes exports in value terms, accounting for 93.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Nepal

Imports in kind, K t

Nepal's imports of dried shelled legumes have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 342.0 thousand tons, representing a strong 21.3% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 100.6%, equating to a 26.1% annualized growth rate.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada (45.3% of import volume), Myanmar (15.1%), and Australia (13.1%) were the principal suppliers of dried shelled legumes to Nepal, jointly accounting for 73.5% of total imports in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of Nepal's dried shelled legumes imports has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import value totaled 178.6 million US dollars, which is 40.0% higher than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 65.5%, equating to an 18.3% annualized growth rate. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 105.1 million US dollars, which represented a 2.6% decline from the previous year.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Canada (39.5% of import value), Myanmar (17.9%), and Australia (16.9%) formed the core group of suppliers for Nepal's dried shelled legumes imports in value terms, together representing 74.3% of total import flows.

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

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