Dried shelled lentils market in China

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market volume for dried shelled lentils in China gradually declined from 177.2 thousand tonnes to 173.1 thousand tonnes. During this phase, the US-China trade friction reshaped trade flows for legumes, while domestic policy actively encouraged the expansion of local bean production, laying the groundwork for greater self-sufficiency.

The market rebounded over 2021‑2022, peaking at 189.0 thousand tonnes in 2022, driven by a surge in imports that reached 25.6 thousand tonnes. That year, tighter customs controls on imports introduced additional oversight on incoming shipments. By 2023, market volume eased to 184.3 thousand tonnes as record global soybean supplies increased the availability of pulses and exerted downward pressure on prices.

Entering 2024, the government continued its producer‑subsidy program for beans, aiming to stabilise planting area and output. Updated national food‑safety standards and a growing consumer preference for natural, additive‑free and organic products began to reshape demand patterns for lentils and other pulses.

Production dried shelled lentils in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China ranked 9th globally in the production of dried shelled lentils.

Top producers of dried shelled lentils, 2017-2020

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

China's production of dried shelled lentils declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 163.0 K t, down 1.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 5.2%, with an average annual decline of 1.7%. The highest production was in 2018 at 172.2 K t. The largest drop occurred in 2019, with a 4.4% decrease, while the biggest increase was in 2018, at 0.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

China's dried shelled lentils production value also declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, it was valued at 133.2 M $ US, an 8.3% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value dropped by 34.6%, averaging a 13.2% annual decline. The peak value was in 2018 at 209.5 M $ US. The sharpest fall was in 2019, with a 30.6% drop, while the largest rise was in 2018, at 2.9%.

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

Exports dried shelled lentils from China

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, China's exports of dried shelled lentils rebounded in 2020, reaching 9 256 t, a significant 28.9% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports overall decreased by 8.5%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 2.9%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 7 181 t, with the largest drop occurring in 2018 at 20.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Belgium, and Italy were the top destinations for China's dried shelled lentils exports by volume. France accounted for 47.9% of exports, Belgium for 27.1%, and Italy for 17.9%, together making up 92.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year reduction, China's dried shelled lentils exports in value terms increased in 2020, totaling 7 565 K $ US, up 19.3% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 36.9%, with an average annual decline of 14.2%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 6 340 K $ US, and the largest decrease occurred that same year at 35.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Belgium, and Italy consistently led as the top destinations for China's dried shelled lentils exports by value. France held 47.8% of export value, Belgium 25.7%, and Italy 18.8%, collectively accounting for 92.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports dried shelled lentils to China

Imports in kind, t

China's imports of dried shelled lentils grew for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 19 312 t, a 4.4% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 394%, averaging a 70.3% annual growth rate.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Turkey were the primary sources for China's dried shelled lentils imports by volume, together accounting for 89.5% of total import flows, with the remainder spread across other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

China's imports of dried shelled lentils in value terms also rose for the third straight year in 2020, recorded at 11 228 K $ US, up 13.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 311.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 60.2%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, the United States and Turkey dominated China's dried shelled lentils imports by value, with a combined share of 86.4% of total flows, while other countries accounted for the rest.

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

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