Dried shelled lentils market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled lentils in the SADC region showed significant movement between 2018 and 2023. Volume grew from 13,015 t in 2018 to a peak of 16,217 t in 2020, an increase driven largely by a concurrent rise in imports to over 15,000 t that same year.

From 2021 onward, the market contracted substantially, falling to 9,698 t and then to 5,869 t in 2023. This decline aligned with a sharp increase in export activity, which rose from 1,312 t in 2020 to over 5,500 t in 2023, significantly reducing net domestic availability. Local production, meanwhile, demonstrated steady growth, rising from 1,678 t to 2,105 t and stabilizing from 2022.

The overall market trajectory was defined by these opposing trade flows: strong import growth fueled expansion until 2020, while rapidly rising exports subsequently became the dominant factor, pulling total market volume down by nearly two-thirds from its peak.

Production dried shelled lentils in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled lentils, 2017-2020

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

SADC's dried shelled lentils production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 2 152 tonnes, marking a robust 14.5% rise compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 17.1%, which translates to an annualized rate of 5.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 678 tonnes, with that year also seeing the largest decline of 8.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in SADC in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports dried shelled lentils from SADC

Exports in kind, t

SADC's dried shelled lentils export volume has risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 1 312 tonnes, showing a sharp increase of 96.2% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 249.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 51.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for SADC's dried shelled lentils exports in kind were India, France, and Kenya. India accounted for 21.6% of exports, France for 9.5%, and Kenya for 2.9%. Together, these three countries represented 34.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during these years. In 2019, exports hit a low point, while 2020 saw a peak, resulting in a 2.3-fold variation between these two years. In 2020, SADC exported dried shelled lentils worth 1 367 thousand US dollars, up by 132.1% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 589 thousand US dollars, with that year also experiencing the largest decline of 28.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, France, and Kenya accounted for the largest share of SADC's dried shelled lentils exports in value terms. India represented 22.0% of exports, France 11.3%, and Kenya 0.6%. Combined, these three destinations made up 33.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports dried shelled lentils to SADC

Imports in kind, t

SADC's dried shelled lentils imports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported 15 377 tonnes, up by 25.5% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 24.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.5%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 11 807 tonnes, with that year also seeing the largest decline of 4.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates were the largest sources of SADC's dried shelled lentils imports in kind. Canada accounted for 46.2% of imports, Australia for 19.6%, and the United Arab Emirates for 9.0%. Together, these three countries comprised 74.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, SADC's dried shelled lentils import volumes have rebounded. In 2020, import value totaled 11 492 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a 53.5% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 8.9%, translating to an annualized rate of 2.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 7 488 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 21.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Canada, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates—together accounted for 70.5% of SADC's total dried shelled lentils imports in value terms.

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

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