Leguminous vegetables market in Central Asia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the market volume for fresh leguminous vegetables in Central Asia remained stable at around 97 000 t. This stability was supported by increased production capacities in Russia and a focus on import substitution, which reinforced domestic supply. However, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted logistics and supply chains, leading to a decline in market volume to 93 934 t.

In 2021, ongoing global logistical disruptions and the continued import substitution trend significantly reduced imports, while exports rose. These factors combined to bring the market volume down further to 93 123 t. The following year saw the introduction of new labeling and packaging requirements and tighter import controls in Russia, adding regulatory pressure. Despite this, the market volume slightly recovered to 93 892 t in 2022, partly due to lower export volumes.

A sharp turnaround occurred in 2023, with the market volume rising to 99 208 t. This increase was driven primarily by a substantial surge in imports of leguminous vegetables, a response to insufficient domestic production. The period also saw shifting consumer preferences towards fresh salad vegetables and products with improved packaging.

Production leguminous vegetables in Central Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

Leguminous vegetable production in Central Asia has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 93.8 K t, showing a modest 3.2% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 12.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 98.6 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 18.0%.

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

Exports leguminous vegetables from Central Asia

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest exports were recorded in 2019 at 368 t, while the highest were in 2018 at 1 999 t, reflecting a 5.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, leguminous vegetable shipments from Central Asia to abroad reached 897 t, up by 143.4% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 81.6%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 396.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Afghanistan, and Iran remained the main markets for leguminous vegetable exports from Central Asia. Russia accounted for 52.1% of exports in kind, Afghanistan for 14.1%, and Iran for 2.8%, together representing 68.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. The lowest exports were in 2017, while the peak was in 2020, with a 7-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Central Asia's leguminous vegetable exports amounted to 1 185 K $ US, marking a sharp increase of 234.7% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 39.8%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 247.3%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Russia, Afghanistan, and Iran formed the core group of markets for leguminous vegetable exports in value terms. Russia represented 63.7% of exports in value, Afghanistan 11.0%, and Iran 3.1%, together accounting for 77.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports leguminous vegetables to Central Asia

Imports in kind, t

Foreign leguminous vegetable supplies to Central Asia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 999 t, up by 67.4% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 281.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 56.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia and China remained the main suppliers of leguminous vegetables to Central Asia, with a combined share of 82.6% of total imports in kind. The remainder was fragmented across other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. The lowest imports were in 2017, while the peak was in 2020, with a 2.4-fold gap between these years. In 2020, leguminous vegetable shipments to Central Asia from abroad stood at 466 K $ US, marking a sharp uptick of 45.2% versus the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 13.6%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 89.0%.

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

In 2017–2020, China, Russia, and India were the largest suppliers of leguminous vegetables to Central Asia in value terms. China accounted for 42.8% of imports in value, Russia for 26.1%, and India for 8.7%, together forming 77.6% of total imports in value.

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

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