Dried shelled lentils market in Bangladesh

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for dried shelled lentils in Bangladesh showed significant volatility between 2018 and 2023. After a peak of 747.0 thousand tons in 2018, consumption fell sharply the following year and never fully recovered, ending the period at 564.7 thousand tons in 2023. The overall trend was downward, marked by a brief rebound in 2022 followed by the lowest volume in the observed period.

This market movement was largely shaped by import dynamics. While domestic production grew steadily from 176.6 to 196.8 thousand tons, a substantial decline in import volumes—from 570.4 thousand tons in 2018 to 368.1 thousand tons in 2023—was the primary driver behind the contraction in total market size. Exports remained negligible throughout.

Production dried shelled lentils in Bangladesh

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Bangladesh ranked as the world's seventh-largest producer of dried shelled lentils.

Top producers of dried shelled lentils, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Bangladesh produced 177.4 K t of dried shelled lentils, marking a modest year-over-year increase of 1.1%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 0.7%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, at 4.6%.

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

Exports dried shelled lentils from Bangladesh

Exports in kind, K t

The market experienced notable fluctuations during this period. Exports of dried shelled lentils from Bangladesh reached 0.1 K t in 2020, reflecting a sharp decline of 71.7% compared to the previous year. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 0.3 K t, with the largest increase that year at 4 832.0%. The span from 2018 to 2019 showed a peak-to-trough amplitude of 49 times.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia dominated the export structure for dried shelled lentils from Bangladesh, accounting for 79.5% of total flows, while other markets played a less significant role.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Market behavior was volatile during these years. Bangladesh exported 0.2 M $ US of dried shelled lentils in 2020, down by 13.7% from 2019. The peak value was in 2019 at 0.3 M $ US, with the largest increase that year at 2 761.3%. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018, creating a 29-fold gap with the 2019 peak.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the key export partners for dried shelled lentils from Bangladesh in value terms were Saudi Arabia (68.0% of exports), the United States (9.1%), and Singapore (9.0%), collectively representing 86.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports dried shelled lentils to Bangladesh

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Bangladesh imported 504.7 K t of dried shelled lentils, up by 4.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 42.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 570.4 K t, with the largest increase that year at 61.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 15.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Australia and Canada consistently accounted for 92.6% of total imports in kind, indicating a highly concentrated market with a long tail of smaller suppliers.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Bangladesh's imports of dried shelled lentils stood at 259.6 M $ US, showing a sharp rise of 35.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 8%, with an annualized rate of 2.6%. The minimum value was in 2019 at 192.4 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 25.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia and Canada consistently represented 90.7% of total imports in value terms, reflecting a high degree of market concentration alongside numerous smaller markets.

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

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