Dried shelled legumes market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled legumes in Western Europe grew consistently from 2 982 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 3 722 thousand tonnes in 2021. This expansion was fueled by a rising variety and volume of legume-based products, such as meat alternatives, pasta, and snacks, which saw strong European demand. Companies like Like Meat reported positive revenue trends, indicating broader consumer shift toward plant-based proteins.

Market volume dipped to 3 395 thousand tonnes in 2022 before recovering to 3 638 thousand tonnes in 2023. The sector remained dynamic, influenced by a mix of supply, climate, resource, ecological, and economic factors. In Germany, soybean cultivation area declined for the first time on record, yet the overall legume market demonstrated resilience and continued consumer interest.

In 2024, key developments included an approximately 10% expansion of pulse cultivation area to around 129 400 hectares and a sharp harvest increase aided by favorable weather. The market is further shaped by the German Protein Crop Strategy (EPS), aiming for legumes on 10% of arable land by 2030, and an EU promotion campaign launched in February 2024 to boost consumption of European grain legumes and encourage sustainable dietary choices.

Production dried shelled legumes in Western 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

Western Europe's production of dried shelled legumes has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 3 238 thousand tonnes, marking a moderate 6.2% gain compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 2.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2 653 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 20.3%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase at 15.0%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Western Europe's exports of dried shelled legumes have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 446.1 thousand tonnes, showing an 8.1% increase over the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 16.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 308.3 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 42.6%. The biggest increase occurred in 2019 at 33.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Norway, Italy, and India were notable buyers of dried shelled legumes from Western Europe, accounting for 9.4%, 7.5%, and 6.3% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share reached only 23.2% of total exports, indicating they did not dominate the market.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Western Europe's exports of dried shelled legumes have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 403.1 million US dollars, reflecting a solid 18.8% improvement from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 15.9%, with an annualized rate of 5.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 323.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 7.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, exports in value terms of dried shelled legumes from Western Europe were spread across many countries. Italy accounted for 6.5% of exports, the United Kingdom for 5.9%, and Norway for 5.4%. Together, these three countries represented only 17.9% of total export flows, showing a diversified market.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Western Europe's imports of dried shelled legumes from abroad reached 748.6 thousand tonnes, representing a substantial 20.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 37.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.1%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 2.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, imports in kind of dried shelled legumes to Western Europe were relatively evenly distributed. Canada accounted for 8.4% of imports, Lithuania for 8.1%, and the United Kingdom for 7.3%. Together, these three countries made up only 23.8% of total import flows, indicating a lack of concentration.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Western Europe's imports of dried shelled legumes reached 588.4 million US dollars, representing a robust 23.8% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 18.1%, with an annualized rate of 5.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 475.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 8.8%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that imports in value terms of dried shelled legumes to Western Europe were not concentrated on a few key sources. Canada accounted for 10.5% of imports, the United States for 8.1%, and Turkey for 7.2%. Together, these three countries represented only 25.8% of total import flows, highlighting a diversified supply base.

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

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