Dried shelled legumes market in Vietnam, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

Domestic production of dried shelled legumes in Vietnam declined steadily from 630 thousand tons in 2018 to 564 thousand tons in 2023. This reduction was primarily driven by a sharp contraction in soybean cultivation area, a key crop, which increased the country's reliance on imported raw materials. The expansion of soybean milk production by major processors like Vinamilk and Vinasoy further supported demand for legumes, though it could not offset the domestic supply shortfall.

The overall market volume fell significantly after 2018, dropping from 1.1 million tons to around 680 thousand tons in subsequent years. Import volumes, which had been 487 thousand tons in 2018, sharply decreased in 2019 but later partially recovered. Several factors influenced this volatility: the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 boosted demand for functional foods and plant-based milk, while rising feed demand due to higher pork prices supported import needs in 2021-2022. However, unstable weather conditions in key supplying countries like Brazil and Argentina caused supply disruptions and price spikes, directly affecting import costs and availability.

In value terms, the market peaked at $859 million in 2022, fueled by high global soybean prices due to tight supply in South America. Government initiatives, such as a plan to develop 300,000 hectares of soybean cultivation in the Red River Delta, aimed to reduce import dependency but have yet to reverse the trend. Vietnam continues to import over 90% of its legume needs, with international price fluctuations and logistics costs remaining key determinants of market value.

Production dried shelled legumes in Vietnam

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

Vietnam's production of dried shelled legumes has declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, output fell by 3.6%, followed by a smaller drop of 2.4% in 2020, when production reached 592.8 thousand tons. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 630.3 thousand tons, which represented a 5.2% increase from the previous year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, Vietnam's production of dried shelled legumes in value terms declined in 2020. Output was valued at 600.3 million US dollars, marking a significant 12.1% decrease compared to 2019. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 682.9 million US dollars, following a substantial 19.3% increase in 2018. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 9%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.9%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Vietnam

Exports in kind, t

The export market for dried shelled legumes from Vietnam showed notable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 2 969 tons, representing a 67.3% decline, before rebounding sharply in 2020 to 9 982 tons—a 236.2% increase from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2017, creating a 6.7-fold difference between the peak and trough years.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China remained Vietnam's primary export market for dried shelled legumes in volume terms, accounting for 83.1% of total exports. The remaining 16.9% was distributed among various other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Export values demonstrated considerable volatility during these years. The lowest point came in 2019 at 3.3 million US dollars, representing a 64.7% decline, followed by a strong recovery in 2020 to 10.1 million US dollars—a 202.9% increase from the previous year. The peak value occurred in 2017, creating a 5.5-fold difference between the highest and lowest years.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, China dominated Vietnam's dried shelled legumes exports in value terms, representing 82.6% of total export value. The remaining 17.4% was spread across multiple smaller markets.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Vietnam

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes for dried shelled legumes in Vietnam displayed an unstable pattern during this timeframe. The lowest point occurred in 2017, followed by a dramatic 841.5% increase in 2018 to reach 487 425 tons—the highest level recorded. After an 84.8% decline in 2019, imports recovered in 2020 to 91 965 tons, representing a 24.2% increase from the previous year. The difference between the highest and lowest years was 9.4-fold.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Myanmar (55.9%), China (13.6%), and Australia (12.5%) formed the core sources for Vietnam's dried shelled legumes imports in volume terms, together accounting for 81.9% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Vietnam's imports of dried shelled legumes in value terms increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. The import value rose by 31.4% compared to 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, import values grew by 91.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 24.2%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Myanmar (57.5%), China (13.6%), and Australia (13.2%) remained the leading sources for Vietnam's dried shelled legumes imports in value terms, collectively representing 84.3% of total import value.

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

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