Dried shelled lentils market in Nepal

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled lentils in Nepal showed significant movement between 2018 and 2023. Volume expanded strongly, reaching a peak of 342.8 thousand tonnes in 2020, which was followed by a steady contraction in the following years, returning to 287.3 thousand tonnes by 2023.

This trajectory was mirrored in domestic production, which also peaked in 2020 at 262.8 thousand tonnes before declining sharply to 200.8 thousand tonnes in 2023. Supply was supplemented by highly volatile imports, which saw major surges to 82.7 thousand tonnes in 2020 and 89.8 thousand tonnes in 2023.

In value terms, the market exhibited even greater swings, rising from $220.9 million in 2018 to a high of $367.1 million in 2020 before falling back to $286.1 million in 2023, indicating substantial shifts in market prices or value composition alongside the physical volume changes.

Production dried shelled lentils in Nepal

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Nepal ranked 6th globally in dried shelled lentil production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of dried shelled lentils, 2017-2020

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

Nepal's dried shelled lentil production grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 262.8 K t, marking a 4.6% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 3.4%, averaging 1.1% per year. The lowest output was in 2018 at 249.5 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 1.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Dried shelled lentil production in Nepal increased in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 320.8 M $ US, a solid 18.7% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 7.7%, with an average annual rate of 2.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 210.2 M $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 29.4%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 28.6%.

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

Exports dried shelled lentils from Nepal

Exports in kind, t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports peaked in 2018 at 13 748 t, then fell to their lowest point in 2020 at 2 722 t, a 5.1-fold difference. In 2020, exports dropped by 75.8% from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 73.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bangladesh was the primary export partner for Nepal in terms of volume, accounting for 95.2% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility over these years. Exports reached their highest value in 2019 at 12 100 K $ US and fell to a low in 2020 at 3 323 K $ US, a 3.6-fold variation. In 2020, exports declined sharply by 72.5% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was in 2018, up by 24.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, nearly all dried shelled lentil exports from Nepal in value terms went to Bangladesh, which held a 94.6% share of total flows.

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

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

Imports dried shelled lentils to Nepal

Imports in kind, t

Dried shelled lentil imports into Nepal rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 82 723 t, a steep 67.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 47.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.9%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 45 575 t, which also saw the largest decline of 18.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada and Australia together accounted for 91.1% of Nepal's dried shelled lentil imports by volume, with the remainder distributed among other destinations in smaller shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was volatile during these years. Imports hit their lowest value in 2018 at 22 249 K $ US and peaked in 2020 at 49 583 K $ US, a 2.2-fold difference. In 2020, imports surged by 116.8% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018, down by 36.3%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Canada and Australia dominated Nepal's dried shelled lentil imports in value terms, together making up 88.9% of the total, while other suppliers each contributed relatively small shares.

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

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