Dried shelled legumes market in Serbia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for dried shelled legumes in Serbia stood at 101 874 t in 2018. It contracted to 94 992 t the following year before recovering to 98 685 t in 2020. In 2021, the market stabilized at 97 045 t, as consumer demand for long-lasting food items remained elevated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The market expanded slightly to 97 623 t in 2022. This growth was supported by increased demand for plant-based proteins due to challenges in the livestock sector and meat imports, alongside the implementation of a margin cap regulation on basic foodstuffs—including legumes—which limited wholesale and retail markups. In 2023, the market volume decreased to 94 280 t amid ongoing economic adjustments and shifting consumption patterns.

Production dried shelled legumes in Serbia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

Serbia's production of dried shelled legumes increased after a two-year decline. In 2020, production was broadly stable at 81 068 tonnes compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 8.7%, which equates to an annualized decline of 3.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 80 694 tonnes, with the largest year-over-year decline of 5.6% occurring that same year.

Annual dynamics of production in Serbia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports dried shelled legumes from Serbia

Exports in kind, t

The export market for dried shelled legumes from Serbia showed significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 352 tonnes, representing a 2.5-fold decrease from the peak in 2017. In 2020, exports fell to 427 tonnes, marking a 41.4% reduction compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 60.6%, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2019 at 106.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Switzerland, and Bosnia and Herzegovina remained Serbia's primary buyers of dried shelled legumes by volume. Germany accounted for 19.7% of exports, Switzerland for 19.5%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for 16.9%. Together, these three countries represented 56.1% of Serbia's total dried shelled legumes exports during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two consecutive years of decline, Serbia's dried shelled legumes exports by value showed an increase. In 2020, exports reached 493 thousand US dollars, representing a slight gain of 1.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 28.3%, equating to an annualized decline of 10.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 484 thousand US dollars, with the largest year-over-year decline of 21.8% occurring in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Sweden remained Serbia's principal buyers of dried shelled legumes by value. Bosnia and Herzegovina accounted for 19.5% of export value, Montenegro for 17.1%, and Sweden for 13.4%. Collectively, these three countries represented 50.0% of Serbia's total dried shelled legumes export value during this period.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Serbia

Imports in kind, t

Serbia's imports of dried shelled legumes by volume reached 18 044 tonnes in 2020, representing a notable increase of 20.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 32%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 10.5%, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2018 at 22.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kyrgyzstan, Poland, and Bulgaria were Serbia's main sources of dried shelled legumes by volume. Kyrgyzstan accounted for 30.0% of imports, Poland for 16.6%, and Bulgaria for 10.2%. Together, these three countries supplied 56.9% of Serbia's total dried shelled legumes imports during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Serbia's imports of dried shelled legumes by value reached 17 082 thousand US dollars in 2020, representing a solid increase of 24.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 55.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 1.1%, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2018 at 26.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Kyrgyzstan, and Bulgaria remained Serbia's principal suppliers of dried shelled legumes by value. Poland accounted for 24.6% of import value, Kyrgyzstan for 20.2%, and Bulgaria for 13.2%. Collectively, these three countries represented 58.1% of Serbia's total dried shelled legumes import value during this period.

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

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