Dried shelled legumes market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for dried shelled legumes in SADC fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, starting at 8,002 thousand tons and reaching 9,362 thousand tons by the end of the period. After a decline to 7,732 thousand tons in 2019, volumes recovered to 8,389 thousand tons in 2020 and continued growing to 8,885 thousand tons in 2021, before a temporary drop in 2022 and a significant rebound to the peak in 2023.

The market expansion in 2021, when volume increased by 5.9%, occurred alongside a notable rise in informal cross-border trade activity within SADC, with estimated informal remittances of ZAR 11 billion. This growth in informal trade likely facilitated greater distribution and accessibility of legumes, contributing to the overall market volume increase that year.

Factors emerging by 2024 included state-invested modernization of rail and port logistics in South Africa to improve agricultural market access, while intermittent energy supply presented challenges for production efficiency. Concurrently, strong regional demand was evidenced by growing agricultural export revenues within Africa, and community market garden initiatives promoted local food security and sustainable livelihoods, influencing the market's structure and potential supply.

Production dried shelled legumes in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

SADC's production of dried shelled legumes grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 8 939 thousand tons, showing a modest increase of 9.3% compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually declined by 2.7%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 0.9%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 8 046 thousand tons, with that year also seeing the sharpest drop of 12.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of decline, the value of dried shelled legumes production in SADC rebounded in 2020. Output was valued at 4 672 million US dollars, up 5.3% year-over-year. However, over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 20.5%, averaging an annual decline of 7.4%. The lowest value occurred in 2019 at 4 435 million US dollars, while the most significant decrease was in 2018, at 20.6%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from SADC

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes of dried shelled legumes from SADC showed considerable volatility between 2017 and 2020. The lowest point was in 2018 at 184.3 thousand tons, while exports peaked in 2020 at 699.2 thousand tons—a 3.8-fold difference. In 2020, deliveries increased by 21.9% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping 37.8%, whereas the biggest increase was in 2019, surging by 211.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam were the top destinations for SADC's dried shelled legumes exports by volume. India accounted for 60.0% of exports, followed by the UAE at 6.5% and Vietnam at 5.0%. Together, these three countries represented 71.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of dried shelled legumes exports from SADC exhibited notable fluctuations during the observed period. The low point was in 2018 at 106.9 million US dollars, while the high came in 2020 at 365.5 million US dollars—a 3.4-fold increase. In 2020, export value rose by 17.5% year-over-year. The most significant decline was in 2018, down 43.7%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, jumping 190.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam led as the primary buyers of dried shelled legumes from SADC in value terms. India held a 53.9% share of export value, the UAE accounted for 9.0%, and Vietnam made up 2.9%. Collectively, these three markets represented 65.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to SADC

Imports in kind, K t

After two consecutive years of decline, imports of dried shelled legumes into SADC increased in 2020. Volumes reached 150.0 thousand tons, marking a strong gain of 18.5% compared to 2019. Over the full period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 36.9%, with an average annual decline of 14.2%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 126.6 thousand tons, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018, falling 40.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada, the United States, and Ukraine were notable suppliers of dried shelled legumes to SADC by volume, though their dominance was limited. Canada accounted for 32.4% of imports, the US for 4.8%, and Ukraine for 4.1%. Together, these three countries represented 41.2% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year reduction, the value of dried shelled legumes imports into SADC rose sharply in 2020. Imports amounted to 160.6 million US dollars, reflecting a significant gain of 36.0% over the previous year. However, between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 18.8%, averaging an annual decline of 6.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 118.1 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, down 24.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of dried shelled legumes into SADC in value terms were not highly concentrated. Canada led with a 36.3% share, followed by the United States at 5.3% and China at 4.9%. Together, these three suppliers accounted for 46.4% of total import value.

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

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