Dried shelled lentils market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the dried shelled lentil market in Southern Europe grew from 98 thousand tons to 125 thousand tons. This increase was driven by rising consumer awareness of lentils' health benefits and a shift toward plant-based diets. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further stimulated demand as households increased home cooking and sought nutritious, long-shelf-life staple foods.

After peaking in 2020, market volume fell to 94 thousand tons in 2021 and 89 thousand tons in 2022. A strong recovery followed in 2023, with volume returning to 125 thousand tons, supported by the sustained trend toward plant-based proteins, innovation in lentil-based products like lentil flour, and government policies promoting lentil production and marketing.

Production dried shelled lentils in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled lentils, 2017-2020

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

Dried shelled lentils production in Southern Europe has declined for the third year in a row. In 2019, production stood at 98 tonnes, but by 2020 it had dropped to 80 tonnes, marking a significant decrease of 18.4%. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 99.8%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 87.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Southern Europe's dried shelled lentils production has decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2019, the output was valued at 105 thousand US dollars, but in 2020 it fell to 89 thousand US dollars, representing a robust decline of 15.3%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 99.8%, with an annualized rate of 88.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Europe in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports dried shelled lentils from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, dried shelled lentils exports from Southern Europe have rebounded. In 2019, exports were at 9.8 thousand tonnes, but in 2020 they rose to 15.2 thousand tonnes, showing a sharp increase of 55.1%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 17.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -6.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 38.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, dried shelled lentils exports from Southern Europe were distributed across multiple countries. Morocco accounted for 23.4% of exports in kind, France for 15.1%, and Germany for 7.4%. Together, these three countries made up only 45.9% of the total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decrease, Southern Europe's dried shelled lentils exports have increased. In 2019, exports were valued at 10.5 million US dollars, but by 2020 they had climbed to 16.9 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp rise of 61.0%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 25%, with a CAGR of -9.1%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, at 34.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Morocco, France, and Germany played notable but not dominant roles as buyers of dried shelled lentils from Southern Europe in value terms. Morocco accounted for 17.1% of exports, France for 16.8%, and Germany for 10.2%. Their combined share reached just 44.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports dried shelled lentils to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year fall, imports of dried shelled lentils into Southern Europe have increased. In 2019, imports were 103.8 thousand tonnes, but in 2020 they rose to 139.6 thousand tonnes, indicating a gain of 34.5% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 5.5%, with a CAGR of -1.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 25.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada and the United States were the dominant sources for dried shelled lentils imports into Southern Europe in kind, jointly accounting for 84.1% of total flows. The remaining volume was distributed among smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, Southern Europe's imports of dried shelled lentils have increased. In 2019, imports amounted to 72.9 million US dollars, but by 2020 they had reached 101.5 million US dollars, which is 39.3% higher. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 31%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, at 38.8%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Canada, the United States, and Turkey were the largest suppliers of dried shelled lentils to Southern Europe in value terms. Canada accounted for 44.9% of imports, the United States for 34.3%, and Turkey for 8.4%. Together, they formed 87.6% of total import value.

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

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