Dried shelled peas market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the market volume for dried shelled peas in Lebanon showed moderate growth, rising from 3.6 thousand tonnes to 3.8 thousand tonnes. The market expanded notably in 2020, reaching 3.9 thousand tonnes, before easing slightly in subsequent years. Domestic production followed a similar trend, increasing from 3.3 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 3.4 thousand tonnes in 2023, with a peak in 2020.

Throughout this period, the market was shaped by legislative developments affecting seed trade regulations. Discussions on a draft law to regulate seeds, seedlings, and propagation materials created uncertainty for investors in the dried pea sector. The issuance of the draft law in 2020 without clear guidelines on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) raised safety concerns, coinciding with a surge in imports to 529 tonnes. Later, pressure from civil society for an explicit GMO ban and updated traceability and labeling requirements in 2024 introduced new compliance measures for manufacturers.

Import volumes fluctuated significantly, dropping to 265 tonnes in 2019 before jumping to over 600 tonnes in 2022. By 2023, the market stabilized at around 3.8 thousand tonnes, with imports adjusting to 474 tonnes. The ongoing regulatory process continued to influence supply chains, as seen in the updated draft law in 2024 that set new classification and packaging rules.

Production dried shelled peas in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled peas, 2017-2020

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

Lebanon's dried shelled peas production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 3 413 tonnes, marking a 2.1% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 5.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.9%.

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

Exports dried shelled peas from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

Lebanon's exports of dried shelled peas reached 0.4 tonnes in 2020, representing a sharp increase of 271.6% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 369.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 67.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates were the primary destinations for Lebanon's dried shelled peas exports by volume. The United States accounted for 36.7% of exports, Qatar for 27.7%, and the United Arab Emirates for 17.5%. Together, these three countries made up 81.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Lebanon's dried shelled peas exports in value terms amounted to 1.5 thousand US dollars, showing a dramatic rise of 1 332.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 4 327.3%, averaging an annual growth rate of 253.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and the United Arab Emirates dominated Lebanon's dried shelled peas exports by value, jointly capturing 86.5% of total flows, while other markets accounted for the remainder.

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

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

Imports dried shelled peas to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

The import market for dried shelled peas in Lebanon showed volatility during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 264.7 tonnes and peaked in 2017, with a 2.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 529.4 tonnes, which is 99.8% higher than in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 54.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, Canada, Hungary, and Argentina were the leading sources of Lebanon's dried shelled peas imports by volume. Canada contributed 24.9% of imports, Hungary 18.7%, and Argentina 15.8%. Collectively, these three countries supplied 59.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Lebanon's dried shelled peas import value has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 326.4 thousand US dollars, up 19.4% from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 18.6%, with an average annual decline of 6.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 185.3 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 53.8%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 47.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Canada, and Argentina were the top three markets for Lebanon's dried shelled peas imports by value, together accounting for 59.1% of total imports.

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

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