Dried shelled legumes market in Peru

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market for dried shelled legumes in Peru saw steady expansion, with volume rising from 587 thousand tons to 632 thousand tons. This initial growth was supported by increased domestic production, driven by the expansion of harvested areas for crops like beans and peas. Concurrently, Peru solidified its position as a top supplier to the United States, fueled by growing global demand for plant-based proteins and ethnic foods, which bolstered export activity and helped absorb higher output.

Following a slight contraction to 622 thousand tons in 2021, the market volume declined further to 594 thousand tons in 2022. During this period, rising consumer prices for legumes and sustained underlying demand for affordable plant protein provided some market support. A regulatory change effective March 2022, which excluded natural persons from the exporter registry, began reshaping the trade structure.

The market rebounded strongly to 641 thousand tons in 2023, aided by a reported surge in legume imports during the first part of the year and robust exports that reached over 45 international destinations. Government initiatives, such as the promotion of a National Day of Legumes by the Ministry of Agrarian Development, aimed to boost domestic consumption. By 2024, export performance remained high, with key markets including the United States, Japan, and Spain.

Production dried shelled legumes in Peru

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

Peru's production of dried shelled legumes declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 504.7 thousand tons, marking a slight contraction of 2.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 7.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 516.2 thousand tons, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 6.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of dried shelled legumes production in Peru reached 686.5 million US dollars, representing a strong increase of 10.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 18.3%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 5.8%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 2.8%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018 at 10.5%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Peru

Exports in kind, K t

Peru's exports of dried shelled legumes declined after two years of consecutive growth. In 2020, the country exported 25.3 thousand tons, representing a decrease of 10.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 29.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.1%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 28.3 thousand tons, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 23.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Peru's dried shelled legumes exports were distributed across numerous markets. The United States accounted for 19.8% of export volume, Colombia for 15.8%, and Ecuador for 12.7%. Together, these three countries represented 48.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Peru's dried shelled legumes export value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 34.4 million US dollars, reflecting a modest gain of 0.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 43.2%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 12.7%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Peru's dried shelled legumes exports in value terms were distributed across multiple markets. The United States accounted for 22.5% of export value, Colombia for 14.5%, and Ecuador for 7.7%. Collectively, these three markets represented 44.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Peru

Imports in kind, K t

Peru's imports of dried shelled legumes increased after two consecutive years of decline. In 2020, imports reached 152.1 thousand tons, representing a substantial increase of 52.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 40.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.1%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 99.7 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 7.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada and the United States remained the primary sources for Peru's dried shelled legumes imports, jointly accounting for 86.2% of total import volume. Other trading partners individually represented much smaller shares of imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The market demonstrated volatility during the observed period. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 before peaking in 2020, with the peak volume being 1.8 times higher than the lowest volume. In 2020, Peru's dried shelled legumes imports totaled 105.8 million US dollars, representing a sharp increase of 76.3% compared to 2019. The minimum import value was recorded in 2019 at 60.0 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 25.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada, the United States, and Mexico continued to be Peru's main suppliers of dried shelled legumes. Canada accounted for 42.6% of import value, the United States for 37.3%, and Mexico for 12.8%. Together, these three countries represented 92.7% of Peru's total import value for dried shelled legumes.

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

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