Dried shelled legumes market in Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market for dried shelled legumes in Zambia expanded from 180 thousand tons to 199 thousand tons. This growth was initially supported by a shift in consumer preferences towards organic and locally sourced produce, which increased domestic demand. In 2020, global supply chain disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic further stimulated local production as reliance on imports became less certain.

The market experienced a slight contraction to 195 thousand tons in 2021, primarily because rising export prices, which reached 1.24 US dollars per kg, made overseas sales more attractive and diverted supply from the domestic market. By 2022, export prices climbed further to 1.42 US dollars per kg, while the enforcement of the Food Safety Act and strengthened food safety measures by the Zambia Bureau of Standards helped maintain product quality and consumer confidence, allowing the market volume to recover to 197 thousand tons.

A significant surge to 252 thousand tons occurred in 2023. This jump was driven by regulatory reforms that facilitated business operations, notably the implementation of the Export Proceeds Tracking Framework and a streamlined Environmental Impact Assessment process. At the same time, a decrease in market concentration indicated rising competition among producers, which boosted output. Enhanced food safety infrastructure, including a new detection laboratory for genetically modified organisms, also supported market growth by ensuring compliance and quality standards.

Production dried shelled legumes in Zambia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Zambia produced 203.0 thousand tons of dried shelled legumes, representing a moderate increase of 8.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 11.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 0.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of dried shelled legumes in Zambia was valued at 128.8 million US dollars, marking a decrease of 2.6% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, production value declined by 22.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 8.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 121.4 million US dollars. The largest decline took place in 2018, with a drop of 26.6%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 8.9%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Zambia

Exports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, Zambia's exports of dried shelled legumes increased in 2020. The country exported 6,938 tons that year, which is 26.7% higher than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 14.9%, corresponding to an annualized decline of 5.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 5,475 tons, with the largest decline of 27.5% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Germany consistently accounted for 82.3% of Zambia's total exports of dried shelled legumes in volume terms. This indicates a high level of market concentration, with a long tail of smaller markets making up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, Zambia's cross-border shipments of dried shelled legumes increased in 2020. Exports reached 4,403 thousand US dollars that year, reflecting a strong year-on-year rise of 13.6%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 40.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -15.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 3,876 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline of 33.9% occurred in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (56.9% of exports in value terms), Germany (22.4%), and Zimbabwe (9.2%) were the main buyers of dried shelled legumes from Zambia. Together, these three countries accounted for 88.5% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Zambia

Imports in kind, t

The market for dried shelled legumes imports in Zambia showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 235 tons and peaked in 2020 at 3,096 tons, representing a 13.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, import volumes increased sharply by 1,218.0% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, with a drop of 52.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa (47.6% of imports in volume terms), Malawi (18.5%), and the United States (13.1%) were the principal sources for Zambia's imports of dried shelled legumes. Together, these three countries accounted for 79.2% of total import flows in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market for dried shelled legumes imports in Zambia was characterized by volatility during these years. Imports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 182 thousand US dollars and reached their maximum in 2020 at 2,214 thousand US dollars, showing a 12.2-fold variation between these two years. In 2020, import value surged by 1,117.6% year-on-year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a decrease of 44.1%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, South Africa (36.9% of imports in value terms), Malawi (29.7%), and Mozambique (10.8%) remained the key partners for Zambia's imports of dried shelled legumes. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 77.4% of total import flows in value terms.

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

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