Dried shelled legumes market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

The Swedish dried shelled legumes market grew substantially in 2019, driven by an increase in domestic production, although the majority of the crop was historically destined for animal feed or export. Cultivation area for legumes expanded further in 2020, supporting a period of market stability.

Market volume contracted in 2021, a year which also saw the initiation of innovation projects to develop legume-based dairy products, highlighting the crop's potential. A strong resurgence followed in 2022, fueled by rising consumer demand for plant-based proteins and active promotion of domestic cultivation by agricultural authorities.

A significant decline occurred in 2023, primarily due to a reduction in planted area and an ongoing lack of food-grade processing infrastructure. By 2024, the trend of shrinking cultivation area continued, while new value chains for Swedish-grown legumes began to emerge.

Production dried shelled legumes in Sweden

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

Sweden's production of dried shelled legumes has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 261.9 thousand tons, marking a 1.4% rise compared to 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually fell by 31.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 11.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 166.8 thousand tons. That year also saw the steepest drop, with a 56.5% decrease. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase, with production jumping by 54.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market performance showed significant fluctuations over this period. Production value peaked in 2017 and hit its lowest point in 2018, with a 2.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the output of dried shelled legumes in Sweden was valued at 94.8 million US dollars, representing a 5.7% decrease from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 57.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 53.4%. On the upside, 2019 posted the biggest increase, with a 75.4% rise in value.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Sweden

Exports in kind, t

After declining for two consecutive years, Sweden's exports of dried shelled legumes rebounded in 2020. Shipments reached 26 993 tons, showing a 32.0% improvement over 2019. However, over the full period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 55.2%, averaging an annual decline of 23.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 20 445 tons. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, with a 42.0% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Norway, and Denmark were the largest buyers of dried shelled legumes from Sweden in terms of volume. France accounted for 47.8% of exports, Norway for 19.1%, and Denmark for 15.3%. Together, these three countries made up 82.2% of Sweden's total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year downturn, Sweden's exports of dried shelled legumes in value terms increased in 2020. The country exported 9 771 thousand US dollars worth of dried shelled legumes, reflecting a solid 22.8% uptick compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, exports decreased by 49.4%, with an average annual decline of 20.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 7 954 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 37.9% drop.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, France, Denmark, and Norway remained Sweden's key export partners in value terms. France held a 35.5% share of exports, Denmark accounted for 19.2%, and Norway for 19.1%. Combined, these three countries represented 73.8% of Sweden's total export flows in value.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Sweden

Imports in kind, t

The import market showed an unstable trend during this timeframe. Imports bottomed out in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 3.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sweden imported 20 643 tons of dried shelled legumes, equivalent to a sharp 30.9% increase year-over-year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 33 914 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 247.3%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a 53.5% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden's imports of dried shelled legumes in kind were highly diversified. Lithuania accounted for 21.4% of imports, Estonia for 18.1%, and Turkey for 9.9%. Together, these three countries made up only 49.4% of total import flows, with the remaining 50.6% coming from a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Sweden's imports of dried shelled legumes in value terms amounted to 18 279 thousand US dollars, marking a robust 19.6% rise compared to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 16%, averaging an annual growth rate of 5.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 15 284 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 29.3%. The maximum value occurred in 2018 at 21 617 thousand US dollars, with the biggest increase that year at 37.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey, the Netherlands, and Italy played notable but not dominant roles as suppliers of dried shelled legumes to Sweden in value terms. Turkey accounted for 12.0% of imports, the Netherlands for 10.5%, and Italy for 7.9%. Their combined share reached only 30.3% of Sweden's total imports in value, indicating a fragmented supplier base.

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

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