Dried shelled legumes market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled legumes in Southern Europe reached 3.7 million tons in 2018, partially supported by a 51% increase in Spain's chickpea harvest that boosted domestic production. A sharp contraction followed in 2019, with the market falling to 2.7 million tons, continuing a longer-term shift in consumer preference away from dried legumes toward more convenient ready-to-eat formats like canned varieties.

This trend was abruptly reversed in 2020 when panic buying during the COVID-19 lockdowns led to exceptional sales growth, pushing the market volume to 3.1 million tons. While volumes logically retreated in 2021, they remained above pre-pandemic levels, sustained by new dietary habits focused on vegetables and a 2% expansion in legume cultivation area in Spain that year.

The market declined again in 2022 to 2.3 million tons, influenced by adverse climatic conditions and droughts in Portugal that limited supply. A strong recovery occurred in 2023, with the market rising to 2.9 million tons, driven by a near-doubling of Spanish production following a significant expansion in planted area and bolstered by growing consumer demand for sustainable, plant-based protein sources.

Production dried shelled legumes in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

In Southern Europe, 2 197 thousand tonnes of dried shelled legumes were produced in 2020, marking a 17.7% year-on-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 22.8%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 7.1%. The highest production level was achieved in 2018 at 2 430 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 35.8% recorded that same year. In contrast, 2019 saw the most significant decline, with production dropping by 23.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of dried shelled legumes production in Southern Europe reached 3 264 million US dollars in 2020, up 21.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 31.6%, corresponding to an annualized growth rate of 9.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 3 543 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 42.9%. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 24.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports dried shelled legumes from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, exports of dried shelled legumes from Southern Europe rebounded in 2020, reaching 83 thousand tonnes—a 20.2% increase over the previous year. However, from 2017 to 2020, overall exports decreased by 18.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 69 thousand tonnes, while the largest annual decline of 22.9% occurred in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Germany, and Morocco were key buyers of dried shelled legumes from Southern Europe, accounting for 13.8%, 8.3%, and 6.6% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented only 28.7% of total exports in kind, with the remaining 71.3% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year downturn, the value of dried shelled legumes exports from Southern Europe rose in 2020, totaling 123.6 million US dollars—a strong 24.0% increase compared to the previous year. Despite this recent growth, exports from 2017 to 2020 overall decreased by 12.5%, equating to an annualized decline of 4.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 99.7 million US dollars, with the largest annual drop of 18.9% occurring in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, dried shelled legumes from Southern Europe were exported to a wide range of markets. Germany, France, and the United Kingdom were among the top destinations, accounting for 11.7%, 11.5%, and 9.0% of exports in value terms, respectively. Combined, these three countries made up only 32.2% of total export value, while the remaining 67.8% came from many smaller markets.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

The import market for dried shelled legumes in Southern Europe showed an unstable trend over the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 1.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports amounted to approximately 1 018 thousand tonnes, up 10.5% from the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 348 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 74.0%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 31.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the country structure of imports in kind for dried shelled legumes in Southern Europe was highly diversified. Russia, Canada, and Ukraine were the leading suppliers, accounting for 18.2%, 12.4%, and 12.0% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented only 42.6% of total import flows, with the remaining 57.4% coming from a wide array of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Southern Europe imported 714.7 million US dollars worth of dried shelled legumes, representing a strong 18.4% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 7.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.6%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 603.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 20.3%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 757.1 million US dollars.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in value terms for dried shelled legumes in Southern Europe remained highly diversified. Argentina, the United States, and Canada were the top suppliers, accounting for 16.5%, 16.1%, and 15.7% of imports in value terms, respectively. Combined, these three countries made up only 48.4% of total import flows, with the remaining 51.6% distributed among many smaller markets.

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

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