Dried shelled legumes market in Saudi Arabia

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the market for dried shelled legumes in Saudi Arabia reached 172.6 thousand tons. Government regulations initiated in 2016 to organize the grocery sector began to improve market structure, while growing consumer awareness and demand for diverse alternatives in supermarkets contributed to consumption. These factors underpinned a sharp market expansion to 230.9 thousand tons in 2019.

Market volume fluctuated in subsequent years, dipping to 225.0 thousand tons in 2020 and further to 209.4 thousand tons in 2021. A recovery followed in 2022, reaching 230.5 thousand tons, with stabilization at 228.7 thousand tons in 2023. In value terms, the market grew consistently from $145.7 million in 2018 to $240.6 million in 2023.

By 2024, the retail sector—including groceries—recorded 5.8% growth in the third quarter, supported by economic activity and continued regulatory improvements. The number of retail outlets expanded to 40 926 stores, new players entered the market, and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization worked on enhancing product standards to boost competitiveness.

Production dried shelled legumes in Saudi Arabia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

Saudi Arabia's production of dried shelled legumes has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 29,145 tons, marking a slight year-over-year decrease of 0.6%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Saudi Arabia in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of dried shelled legumes production in Saudi Arabia reached $21,613,000, showing a significant increase of 11.8% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, production value decreased by 7.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at $19,338,000, while the peak occurred in 2018 at $24,098,000. The sharpest drop was in 2019, with a decline of 19.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Saudi Arabia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports dried shelled legumes from Saudi Arabia

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports of dried shelled legumes from Saudi Arabia reached their lowest point in 2018 at 2,300 tons, then peaked in 2019 at 4,100 tons—a 1.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports amounted to 3,200 tons, reflecting a substantial year-over-year decline of 20.3%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a jump of 72.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Iraq were the top buyers of dried shelled legumes from Saudi Arabia, accounting for 23.5%, 15.1%, and 14.0% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 52.6% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Saudi Arabia exported $2,400,000 worth of dried shelled legumes, down 10.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 11.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at $1,900,000, while the highest was in 2019 at $2,700,000. The sharpest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 11.5%, and the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 40.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Iraq were the main destinations for Saudi Arabia's dried shelled legumes exports in value terms, with shares of 26.5%, 17.3%, and 14.5%, respectively. Combined, these three countries accounted for 58.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Saudi Arabia

Imports in kind, K t

Saudi Arabia imported 199,100 tons of dried shelled legumes in 2020, reflecting a moderate decline of 3.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 2.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -0.8%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 145,400 tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 205,600 tons. The largest drop occurred in 2018, with a decrease of 28.7%, and the biggest increase was in 2019, rising by 41.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, and Turkey were the primary suppliers of dried shelled legumes to Saudi Arabia, accounting for 41.7%, 16.3%, and 6.6% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 64.7% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Saudi Arabia's imports of dried shelled legumes in value terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at $145,300,000, indicating a rise of 4.7% compared to the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 7.8%, with an average annual decline of 2.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at $123,500,000. The sharpest drop occurred in 2018, with a decline of 21.6%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 12.3%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, and India consistently led as the top suppliers in the country structure of imports in value terms, with shares of 42.7%, 14.2%, and 7.4%, respectively. Combined, these three countries accounted for 64.2% of total import flows.

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

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