Dried shelled lentils market in North Macedonia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled lentils in North Macedonia displayed substantial volatility from 2018 to 2023. After starting at 941 tons in 2018, consumption fell to 709 tons in 2019, then partially recovered to 910 tons in 2020. The market contracted again to 757 tons in 2021 before surging to a high of 1 063 tons in 2022, followed by a sharp decline to 607 tons in 2023.

This period was characterized by a steady decline in local production, which dropped from 107 tons to 50 tons, making the market increasingly reliant on imports. Import volumes varied widely, peaking at over 1 000 tons in 2022, while exports, though growing, remained a minor factor.

In 2024, regional factors came into play, including the entry of new suppliers offering lentils at farmers' markets in neighboring Bulgaria and evolving consumer preferences towards value-added and branded products observed in broader regional trade patterns. These developments occurred alongside import volumes of 683 tons and exports of 21 tons for the year.

Production dried shelled lentils in North Macedonia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled lentils, 2017-2020

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

North Macedonia's production of dried shelled lentils has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 80.0 tonnes, marking a significant drop of 18.4% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 16.7%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 5.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 107.0 tonnes, when output increased by 11.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in North Macedonia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports dried shelled lentils from North Macedonia

Exports in kind, t

The export market for dried shelled lentils showed notable fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was in 2018, with exports of just 1.0 tonne, representing a 55.0% decline. In 2019, exports surged by 339.7%, and by 2020, they reached 10.3 tonnes, a 138.9% increase from the previous year. The peak in 2020 was 10.5 times higher than the trough in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Albania were the top destinations for North Macedonia's dried shelled lentil exports. Bulgaria accounted for 42.4% of exports in volume, Serbia for 31.2%, and Albania for 11.1%. Together, these three countries made up 84.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values for dried shelled lentils experienced significant volatility. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1.3 thousand US dollars, a drop of 24.2%. In 2019, values jumped by 210.7%, and by 2020, they reached 10.9 thousand US dollars, a 159.9% increase from 2019. The peak in 2020 was 8.1 times higher than the low in 2018.

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

During 2017–2020, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Albania were the key markets for North Macedonia's dried shelled lentil exports in value terms. Bulgaria contributed 43.7% of export value, Serbia 32.4%, and Albania 10.7%. Combined, these three countries represented 86.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports dried shelled lentils to North Macedonia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, imports of dried shelled lentils into North Macedonia rebounded in 2020. The lowest point was in 2019, with imports of 615.7 tonnes, down 26.2% from the previous year. In 2020, imports rose to 840.5 tonnes, a 36.5% increase compared to 2019. Over the full period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 6.5%, averaging a 2.2% annual decline.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada and Russia were the primary suppliers of dried shelled lentils to North Macedonia, together accounting for 95.1% of total imports in volume. Other partners played a minor role in the import market.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year downturn, the value of dried shelled lentil imports into North Macedonia increased in 2020. The lowest value was in 2019 at 367.2 thousand US dollars, a 40.6% decrease. In 2020, imports climbed to 613.7 thousand US dollars, a sharp rise of 67.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, import values fell by 33.4%, with an average annual decline of 12.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada was the leading source of dried shelled lentils for North Macedonia in value terms, holding 71.0% of total import value. The remaining imports were spread across other countries.

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

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