Dried shelled legumes market in Tanzania

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled legumes in Tanzania began the period at 3 024 thousand tons in 2018. After a slight contraction to 2 905 thousand tons in 2019, volume recovered to 3 308 thousand tons in 2020. This recovery was supported by farmers adopting intercropping with leguminous crops as a climate change adaptation measure, which helped sustain and increase production.

Market volume continued to expand, reaching 3 650 thousand tons in 2021. This growth was primarily fueled by rising demand from export markets for sustainably produced leguminous vegetables. However, in 2022, the market contracted to 2 944 thousand tons.

A strong rebound followed in 2023, with market volume climbing to 3 671 thousand tons. This was accompanied by a significant rise in exports and the entry of new players such as GNM Tanzania International Limited, which secured an export license. Additionally, the Tanzania Bureau of Standards introduced quality standards for retail packaging, further formalizing the sector.

Production dried shelled legumes in Tanzania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Tanzania ranked as the 12th largest producer of dried shelled legumes globally.

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

Tanzania's production of dried shelled legumes grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 3 694 K t, marking a 17.8% increase from 2019. However, over the full 2017-2020 period, production fell by 11.1%, averaging an annual decline of 3.8%. The lowest output was recorded in 2018 at 3 033 K t, which also saw the steepest drop of 27.0%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Tanzania

Exports in kind, K t

The export market for dried shelled legumes from Tanzania showed significant volatility during this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 25.1 K t, with the sharpest decline that year of 84.4%. They then surged dramatically in 2019 by 850.6%, reaching a peak in 2020 of 395.2 K t, a 65.6% increase from 2019. Overall, exports varied by a factor of 16 between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India was the dominant export partner for Tanzania's dried shelled legumes in volume terms, accounting for 78.0% of total exports, while other markets made up a long tail of smaller shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Export values for dried shelled legumes from Tanzania experienced high volatility. The lowest point was in 2018 at 0.2 M $ US, with a sharp decline of 99.8% that year. Values then rebounded strongly in 2019, increasing by 71,123.2%, and peaked in 2020 at 195.7 M $ US, up 62.4% from the previous year. Overall, export values multiplied by 1,156 from the trough in 2018 to the peak in 2020.

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

During 2017-2020, India accounted for 82.2% of Tanzania's total export value for dried shelled legumes, with the remainder distributed among a wide range of smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Tanzania

Imports in kind, K t

Tanzania's imports of dried shelled legumes in 2020 totaled 9.6 K t, a sharp rise of 31.5% from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 27.7%, averaging an annual decline of 10.2%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 16.0 K t, while the lowest was in 2019 at 7.3 K t, which also saw the largest drop of 54.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Uganda, and the United States were the top sources for Tanzania's imports of dried shelled legumes in volume terms. Italy contributed 42.2%, Uganda 23.6%, and the United States 19.0%, together making up 84.8% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Import values for dried shelled legumes into Tanzania displayed irregular patterns, reflecting a volatile market. The peak was in 2018 at 7.3 M $ US, while the trough was in 2019 at 1.5 M $ US, with a steep decline of 79.5% that year. In 2020, imports rose to 2.9 M $ US, a 94.6% increase year-over-year. Overall, import values shifted by a factor of 4.9 between the high in 2018 and the low in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy, the United States, and Turkey were consistently the main sources for Tanzania's imports of dried shelled legumes in value terms. Italy accounted for 47.9%, the United States 27.3%, and Turkey 9.1%, together representing 84.4% of total import value.

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

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