Flour or powder of dried legumes market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for flour or powder of dried legumes in France expanded significantly from 378 thousand tons in 2018 to 490 thousand tons in 2020. This growth was initially supported by public authorities encouraging consumption through the National Nutrition Health Plan. It was further accelerated by coupled aid of approximately €104 per hectare for pulse crops, which stimulated production, and by strategic partnerships, such as the one between Bonduelle and the Euralis cooperative, aimed at structuring the supply chain. Concurrently, a surge in demand for organic products, with sales rising 159% between 2017 and 2020, and increased uptake in the foodservice sector, which accounted for 10% of sales, provided additional momentum.

Market volume peaked at 503 thousand tons in 2021, supported by the continued development of the organic segment. However, it contracted to 443 thousand tons in 2022 amid a historic inflationary context where prices rose by 12.8%, which likely dampened volume consumption. Despite this pressure, favorable legislation, including the Egalim and Climate laws promoting vegetarian menus in schools, aimed to sustain long-term demand. The same year saw the formal creation of a dedicated pulse sector by Bonduelle and Euralis, marked by the expansion of the 'Fileg' network in Occitanie, laying groundwork for future stability.

In 2023, the market recovered to 474 thousand tons, reflecting the sector's resilience. Domestic production also rebounded to 471 thousand tons, indicating a sustained production base and adapting consumer demand following the previous year's challenges.

Production flour or powder of dried legumes in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of flour or powder of dried legumes, 2017-2020

World map of production of flour or powder of dried legumes, 2017-2020

Asia's production of flour or powder from dried legumes has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 487.5 thousand tonnes, marking a moderate increase of 9.4% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 41.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 12.4%.

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

Exports flour or powder of dried legumes from Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend over this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Asia's export volume of flour or powder from dried legumes reached 9 752 tonnes, representing a 27.5% increase compared to 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 21 061 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 63.7%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, surging by 186.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of flour or powder from dried legumes from Asia were Somalia, accounting for 44.7% of exports in kind; Asia, not elsewhere specified, with 10.7%; and the United States, at 1.6%. Together, these three markets made up 56.9% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports reached their lowest value in 2019 and their highest in 2018, varying by a factor of two. In 2020, Asia's export value of flour or powder from dried legumes stood at 12 527 thousand US dollars, which is 73.1% higher than in 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 7 237 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 14 506 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 50.1%.

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

The partner structure for exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was fragmented. Somalia accounted for 16.9% of exports in value terms, Asia, not elsewhere specified for 16.3%, and the United States for 6.0%. Together, these three markets represented only 39.3% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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

Imports flour or powder of dried legumes to Asia

Imports in kind, t

Asia's imports of flour or powder from dried legumes have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 12 463 tonnes, reflecting a sharp decrease of 33.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 81%, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 42.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest share of imports in kind came from the United States, which accounted for 57.6% of imports; Canada, with 6.9%; and Spain, at 1.7%. Together, these three countries comprised 66.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Asia's imports of flour or powder from dried legumes from abroad have decreased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region imported a total of 16 751 thousand US dollars worth of these products, showing a slight reduction of 2.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports dropped by 50.6%, equating to an average annual decline of 21.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, flour or powder from dried legumes was supplied to Asia from a broad range of markets. The United States accounted for 29.2% of imports in value terms, Canada for 7.4%, and Spain for 3.3%. Together, these three sources made up only 40.0% of total imports in value terms, with many smaller destinations contributing the remaining 60.0%.

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

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