Dried shelled legumes market in South-eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for dried shelled legumes in South-eastern Asia contracted from 8.9 million tons in 2018 to 7.7 million tons in 2023. This decline was primarily due to a gradual reduction in domestic production, which fell by over 5%, combined with a strong rise in export volumes that often exceeded import levels.

In 2024, the market landscape was influenced by a growing consumer preference for convenient and healthy plant-based foods, which increased demand for products like dried legumes. Entry of new players and innovations in dehydration technology also emerged, improving product quality and shelf life, while regulatory measures enhanced food safety systems.

Production dried shelled legumes in South-eastern Asia

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-eastern Asia's production of dried shelled legumes has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 9 139 K t, which represents a 0.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 9%, with an average annual decline of 3.1%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from South-eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, South-eastern Asia exported 1 339 K t of dried shelled legumes, marking a significant increase of 22.5% from the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 093 K t, while the highest was in 2018 at 1 362 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 19.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for South-eastern Asia's dried shelled legume exports in volume terms were India, accounting for 43.7% of exports, China with 19.0%, and Pakistan at 5.5%. Together, these three countries made up 68.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

South-eastern Asia's cross-border shipments of dried shelled legumes have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 1 258 M $ US, showing a sharp rise of 28.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 22.3%, which translates to an annualized rate of 6.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 849 M $ US, with the largest decline that year at 17.5%.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, India, China, and Pakistan remained the top destinations for South-eastern Asia's dried shelled legume exports in value terms. India accounted for 35.9% of exports, China for 27.0%, and Pakistan for 4.7%, collectively representing 67.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to South-eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a 3.6-fold difference between the high in 2018 and the low in 2019. In 2020, imports of dried shelled legumes into South-eastern Asia stood at 409 K t, reflecting a sharp increase of 60.4% from the previous year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 255 K t, while the maximum was in 2018 at 914 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 72.1%, and the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 107.0%.

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

The market base for imports in volume terms from 2017 to 2020 was broad. Canada accounted for 13.6% of imports, Australia for 11.4%, and Ukraine for 7.3%, together making up just 32.3% of total flows. The remaining 67.7% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, South-eastern Asia's imports of dried shelled legumes have increased. In 2020, import volume amounted to 465 M $ US, representing a rise of 34.4% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 14.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 346 M $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 13.3%.

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

The country composition of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was dispersed. Australia accounted for 11.2% of imports, China for 7.8%, and Canada for 7.4%, together forming just 26.4% of total flows. The remaining 73.6% was split among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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