Dried shelled legumes market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled legumes in South America showed consistent growth in volume from 2018 to 2020, rising from 8 675 thousand tonnes to 9 670 thousand tonnes. This expansion was accompanied by a sharp increase in market value, which jumped from 7 503 million US dollars in 2018 to 9 018 million in 2020.

After peaking in 2020, the market volume stabilized and then declined, falling to 9 004 thousand tonnes in 2023. In value terms, the market reached its highest point in 2021 at 10 579 million US dollars, but subsequently dropped to 8 406 million by 2023, reflecting both lower volumes and changing price conditions.

Production dried shelled legumes in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

South America's production of dried shelled legumes has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 9 814 K t, marking a 7.0% rise from 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.4%, which translates to an annualized rate of 2.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 8 777 K t, with the largest decline of 3.9% also occurring that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of dried shelled legumes production in South America has risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 9 195 M $ US, showing a significant year-over-year increase of 14.1%. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 3.1%, averaging an annual decline of 1.1%. The minimum value was 7 573 M $ US in 2018, which also saw the largest drop of 20.2%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from South America

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes of dried shelled legumes from South America have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 750.8 K t, reflecting a slight improvement of 2.8% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 17.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, Turkey, and Italy were the largest buyers of dried shelled legumes from South America, accounting for 10.4%, 6.3%, and 5.9% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they contributed 22.6% of total exports, indicating a diversified country structure with no single dominant market.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of dried shelled legumes exports from South America has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 703.5 M $ US, showing a moderate gain of 9.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value rose by 6.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 588.9 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 11.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export landscape in value terms was broad, with Turkey, India, and Spain accounting for 7.9%, 7.7%, and 7.1% of exports, respectively. Combined, these three countries represented only 22.7% of total flows, while the remaining 77.3% was distributed among many other countries, highlighting a highly diversified market.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to South America

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, South America's imports of dried shelled legumes amounted to 607.4 K t, representing a solid uptick of 10.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 9.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 550.0 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 5.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada, the United States, and Mexico were the principal suppliers of dried shelled legumes to South America, accounting for 38.6%, 12.9%, and 9.5% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, they made up 61.0% of total imports, indicating a concentrated supply structure.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year contraction, the value of dried shelled legumes imports into South America increased in 2020. Imports totaled 526.3 M $ US, showing a gain of 28.2% from 2019. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 4.3%, with a compound annual decline of 1.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 410.5 M $ US, which also experienced the largest drop of 20.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada, the United States, and Mexico continued to lead as suppliers of dried shelled legumes to South America in value terms, accounting for 33.8%, 14.0%, and 12.1% of imports, respectively. Together, they accounted for 59.9% of total import value, maintaining a dominant position in the market.

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

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