Dried shelled legumes market in Western Asia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled legumes in Western Asia showed a general upward trend in volume from 2018 to 2023, starting at 4.47 million tons and reaching 5.62 million tons. Growth was interrupted in 2021 when the market contracted to 4.53 million tons, but it recovered strongly in 2022 with an 18% increase to 5.35 million tons, followed by a further 5% rise in 2023. In value terms, the market expanded from $4.4 billion in 2018 to $6.55 billion in 2022, before moderating to $6.17 billion in 2023.

Import volumes grew significantly over the period, from 1.89 million tons in 2018 to 3.35 million tons in 2023, with a notable 30% surge in 2022. Exports also increased, rising from 646 thousand tons to 1.13 million tons. The sharp rise in import value to $2.7 billion in 2022 coincided with higher global prices or a shift toward more valuable products, while export value peaked at $1.71 billion the same year.

In 2024, import volume fell by 8.6% to 3.06 million tons, while exports grew by 7.9% to 1.22 million tons. This adjustment occurred alongside global supply chain disruptions and rising energy costs, which increased production and distribution expenses. Concurrently, shifts in consumer behavior toward healthy, dried snack options and packaging innovations aimed at extending shelf life continued to influence the market's direction.

Production dried shelled legumes in Western 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

Western Asia's production of dried shelled legumes has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 3 518 thousand tons, marking a moderate year-over-year growth of 5.4%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 6.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 231 thousand tons, with the largest decline that year at 2.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of dried shelled legumes production in Western Asia has also grown for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 4 149 million US dollars, showing a moderate increase of 4.2% compared to the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 15.5%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 5.5%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 3 830 million US dollars, with the steepest drop that year at 22.0%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Western Asia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, exports of dried shelled legumes from Western Asia reached 823 thousand tons, up by 32.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 35.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 4.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export destinations for dried shelled legumes in kind were quite scattered. Iran accounted for 8.9% of exports, Sudan for 5.2%, and India for 4.5%. Together, these three countries made up just 18.6% of total exports, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Western Asia's exports of dried shelled legumes in value terms rebounded in 2020. Exports totaled 971 million US dollars, representing a sharp increase of 31.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 7.8%, with an average annual rate of 2.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 739 million US dollars, while the largest decline was in 2018 at 14.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Iran was the largest buyer of dried shelled legumes from Western Asia in value terms, accounting for 10.9% of exports. Sudan followed with 4.8%, and Egypt with 3.4%. Even combined, these three countries represented only 19.1% of total export value, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Western Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of dried shelled legumes into Western Asia have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 2 254 thousand tons, showing a strong rise of 11.8% compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 4.4%, equating to an annualized decline of 1.5%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 1 890 thousand tons, with the largest drop that year at 19.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of imports in kind was highly diversified. Canada accounted for 28.5% of imports, Russia for 8.6%, and Australia for 7.9%. Together, these three countries made up only 45.0% of total imports, while the remaining 55.0% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, imports of dried shelled legumes into Western Asia in value terms increased in 2020. Imports totaled 1 625 million US dollars, corresponding to a significant gain of 26.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 21.9%, which translates to an annualized decline of 7.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 284 million US dollars, with the largest decline in 2018 at 35.9%.

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

The structure of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 indicates a diversified set of partners. Canada accounted for 22.9% of imports, Australia for 7.5%, and Russia for 6.2%. Together, these three countries represented only 36.7% of total imports, while the remaining 63.3% was dispersed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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