Dried shelled legumes market in North Macedonia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled legumes in North Macedonia demonstrated relative stability in volume between 2018 and 2023, fluctuating within a range of 42 000 t to 44 000 t. The peak volume of 44 094 t was reached in 2021. In value terms, the market grew from $59.8 million in 2018 to a high of $66.4 million in 2022 before declining to $64.3 million in 2023. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 affected the agricultural sector, increasing demand for local staple foods and causing supply chain disruptions, which contributed to a slight dip in volume alongside rising prices.

Following the pandemic year, the market recovered in 2021 with its highest volume and a significant value increase. The subsequent decline in both volume and value by 2023 coincided with government actions to monitor and control food price inflation, which placed downward pressure on prices for products like legumes. A debated reduction in fuel excise duties during this period had the potential to lower distribution costs, though its immediate impact on the market appears limited.

Domestic production remained steady at approximately 37 000 t annually throughout the period, providing a stable supply base. Imports varied, peaking at 6 707 t in 2021, while exports stayed minimal. This consistent production level helped cushion the market against wider volatility in trade flows.

Production dried shelled legumes in North Macedonia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, North Macedonia produced 37 360 tonnes of dried shelled legumes, representing a slight decrease of 1.3% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 1.5%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 1.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in North Macedonia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports dried shelled legumes from North Macedonia

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 56 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 40.4%. They then peaked in 2020 at 127 tonnes, marking a significant increase of 104.8% compared to 2019, resulting in a 2.3-fold gap between the peak and trough.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from North Macedonia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland, Serbia, and the United States formed the main cluster of markets for exports in kind, accounting for 20.4%, 15.3%, and 14.6% of exports, respectively. Together, they represented 50.3% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export volumes in value terms reached their minimum in 2018 at 83 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 19.2%. They then peaked in 2020 at 181 thousand US dollars, representing a 108.1% gain relative to the prior year, resulting in a top-to-bottom ratio of 2.2 times.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from North Macedonia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Over the period 2017–2020, the United States, Canada, and Switzerland consistently occupied leading positions in the country structure of exports in value terms, accounting for 21.6%, 17.3%, and 14.6% of exports, respectively. Together, they comprised 53.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to North Macedonia

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decrease, North Macedonia's imports of dried shelled legumes increased in 2020. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 5 318 tonnes, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 10.9%. In 2020, imports rose to approximately 5 599 tonnes, equivalent to a modest increase of 5.3% compared to 2019. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 12.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to North Macedonia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Kyrgyzstan and Egypt were the main directions for imports in kind, jointly accounting for 80.5% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decrease, North Macedonia's volume of dried shelled legumes imports increased in 2020. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 3 506 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline in 2018 at 17.4%. In 2020, import volume amounted to 3 843 thousand US dollars, marking a 9.6% increase year-over-year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 17.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to North Macedonia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2017–2020, Kyrgyzstan, Canada, and Egypt accounted for the largest share of imports in value terms, representing 66.9%, 11.4%, and 9.9% of imports, respectively. Together, they comprised 88.2% of total flows.

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

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