Flour or powder of dried legumes market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

The market for legume flour in South America expanded in 2018 and 2019, reaching 13 500 t, driven by growing consumer adoption of healthy and gluten-free diets alongside rising disposable income. This trend was interrupted in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic caused a drop to 12 779 t, as supply chain disruptions and reduced demand from food service outlets outweighed increased retail sales from home baking.

A sharp rebound followed in 2021, with market volume surging to 15 371 t, largely due to product innovations like the launch of heat-treated pea flour for animal feed and sustained demand for vegan and functional foods. After a correction to 13 775 t in 2022 influenced by raw material price volatility and weather conditions, the market grew again to 14 460 t in 2023, supported by new market entrants and continuing shifts toward plant-based diets.

Production flour or powder of dried legumes in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, 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

In South America, production of flour or powder from dried legumes reached 13,928 tonnes in 2020, marking a slight increase of 3.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 8.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 13,929 tonnes, which saw an 8.3% increase. However, production declined by 2.9% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in South America in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two consecutive years of growth, production of flour or powder from dried legumes in South America experienced a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 20,820 thousand US dollars, representing a moderate decrease of 5.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 4.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 22,110 thousand US dollars, following a significant increase of 10.5% in 2018.

Annual dynamics of production in South America in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports flour or powder of dried legumes from South America

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 103 tonnes, while the highest occurred in 2020 at 1,253 tonnes, representing a peak-to-trough ratio of 12.1 times. In 2020, foreign supplies of flour or powder from dried legumes from South America showed a dramatic increase of 1,113.7% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 89.7%.

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

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. The lowest export value was recorded in 2019 at 169 thousand US dollars, while the highest stood at 1,873 thousand US dollars in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 11.1 times. In 2020, exports of flour or powder from dried legumes in South America totalled 1,873 thousand US dollars, showing a substantial increase of 1,009.8% from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 89.4%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the geographical structure of exports in value terms was highly diversified. The United States accounted for 4.0% of exports, South Korea for 1.8%, and Spain for 1.6%, together representing only 7.4% of total flows. The remaining 92.6% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Imports flour or powder of dried legumes to South America

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import levels fluctuated 13.4 times between the high of 2017 and the low of 2019. In 2020, South America imported 105 tonnes of flour or powder from dried legumes, representing a 32.4% increase compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 79 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 91.9%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, China led the list of suppliers of flour or powder from dried legumes to South America, accounting for 0.7% of total imports in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, South America imported 2,162 thousand US dollars worth of flour or powder from dried legumes, equivalent to a steep rise of 29.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 45.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 13.2%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 16.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 34.3%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, China accounted for 2.5% of imports in value terms, the United States for 1.2%, and Italy for 0.7%, standing out as the main markets. Together, they represented 4.4% of total import flows.

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

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