Dried shelled legumes market in South Africa, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled legumes in South Africa experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After reaching a peak of 194.5 thousand tonnes in 2021, the market volume contracted sharply to 154.5 thousand tonnes in 2022. This decline was primarily driven by escalating fertiliser prices and adverse weather conditions, which increased production costs and constrained supply.

Production volumes fell from 163.2 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 127.4 thousand tonnes in 2023, reflecting the ongoing pressure from input costs and supply-side challenges. Trade patterns also shifted, with exports declining after 2020 due in part to trade restrictions imposed by neighboring countries, while imports varied in response to domestic supply conditions. Regulatory updates to the Agricultural Product Standards Act introduced new requirements for grading and marking, affecting market access and compliance.

In later years, consumer trends towards health-conscious diets and plant-based proteins gained traction, influencing demand patterns, while continued efforts to improve smallholder market access aimed at diversifying the supply chain. Vegetable price inflation remained elevated, influenced by global supply chain disruptions and input cost volatility.

Production dried shelled legumes in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2018-2021

World map of production of dried shelled legumes, 2018-2021

South Africa produced 154 845 tons of dried shelled legumes in 2021, marking a 6.0% decrease from 2020. Production peaked in 2020 at 164 807 tons, with that year seeing the largest annual increase of 2.3%. Over the 2018-2021 period, overall production declined by 5.1%, averaging a 1.7% annual reduction.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

South Africa's dried shelled legumes production value rose for the second consecutive year in 2021, reaching 173.2 million US dollars—a 12.2% increase from 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 139.3 million US dollars, which also saw the steepest decline of 15.1%. From 2018 to 2021, production value grew by 5.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports dried shelled legumes from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, South Africa's dried shelled legumes exports fell in 2021 to 29 878 tons, a 30.7% drop from the previous year. Exports reached their highest level in 2020 at 43 140 tons, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 48.8%. Over the 2018-2021 period, export volume increased by 20.1%, averaging 6.3% annual growth.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, South Africa's dried shelled legumes exports were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. Eswatini accounted for 19.2% of exports, Vietnam for 14.7%, and India for 13.5%, with these three countries together representing just 47.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of improvement, South Africa's dried shelled legumes export value declined in 2021 to 33.414 million US dollars, a significant 17.3% decrease from 2020. The peak value was recorded in 2020 at 40.396 million US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 27.9%. Between 2018 and 2021, export value grew by 33.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

South Africa's dried shelled legumes export destinations were widely dispersed in value terms from 2018 to 2021. Eswatini represented 20.1% of export value, Lesotho 13.9%, and Vietnam 13.6%, with these three countries together accounting for only 47.5% of total flows. The remaining 52.5% was distributed among numerous other trading partners.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Imports dried shelled legumes to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

South Africa's dried shelled legumes imports increased for the second consecutive year in 2021, reaching 69 502 tons—a robust 17.5% advance from 2020. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 43 834 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 15.4%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2020 at 35.0%. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 34.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Botswana was the largest supplier of dried shelled legumes to South Africa, accounting for 23.2% of imports in volume, followed by Canada at 16.9% and Ukraine at 7.6%. Together, these three countries represented 47.6% of total import volume, reflecting a diversified supplier structure.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

South Africa's dried shelled legumes import value increased for the second consecutive year in 2021, showing a sharp gain of 27.9% from 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 27.383 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 24.3%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2020 at 60.1%. Between 2018 and 2021, import value grew by 54.9%, averaging 15.7% annual growth.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

During 2018-2021, Botswana was the most significant supplier of dried shelled legumes to South Africa in value terms, accounting for 21.0% of imports, followed by Canada at 12.8% and Brazil at 7.9%. These three countries together represented 41.6% of total import value, with the remaining 58.4% distributed among many other trading partners.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021