Leguminous vegetables market in Cyprus

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh leguminous vegetables in Cyprus fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, reaching its highest volume of 5 225 t in 2020. This peak was largely attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which boosted demand for fresh produce and accelerated the adoption of e-commerce platforms for home delivery. Concurrently, the period saw a consistent expansion of organic farming areas, supported by government policies, and the entry of new online retailers that improved consumer access to fresh vegetables.

After 2020, the market volume declined each year, falling to 3 846 t by 2023. This contraction occurred alongside sustained efforts to promote local production, including the introduction of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) labels for traditional items and the 2022 launch of the Cyprus Gastronomic Map. While consumer preferences increasingly favored organic and locally sourced vegetables, these trends did not reverse the overall reduction in market size.

Production leguminous vegetables in Cyprus

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

Cyprus's production of leguminous vegetables rebounded in 2020 after two consecutive years of decline. The country produced 5 200 tonnes that year, marking a significant 20.6% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually decreased by 11.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 4 310 tonnes, which also saw the sharpest year-on-year drop of 14.7%.

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

Exports leguminous vegetables from Cyprus

Exports in kind, kg

In 2020, Cyprus exported 22 818 kilograms of leguminous vegetables, showing minimal change from the previous year. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 14%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5%. The lowest export volume occurred in 2018 at 14 946 kilograms, which also experienced the largest decline of 25.3%. In contrast, exports peaked in 2019 at 22 867 kilograms, registering the highest increase of 53.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cyprus in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Cyprus's exports of leguminous vegetables were heavily concentrated on the United Kingdom, which accounted for 94.4% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of Cyprus's leguminous vegetable exports dropped sharply to 28.1 thousand US dollars, representing a steep 57.3% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export values fell by 58%, averaging an annual decline of 25.1%. The only notable increase during this timeframe occurred in 2019, when exports grew by 28.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom dominated Cyprus's export market in value terms, absorbing 95.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports leguminous vegetables to Cyprus

Imports in kind, kg

Cyprus's imports of leguminous vegetables continued to grow for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 48 183 kilograms—a substantial 49.1% increase year-over-year. However, when examining the full 2017-2020 period, imports actually decreased by 23.3%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 8.5%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 25 746 kilograms, which also saw the most significant drop of 59.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cyprus in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Greece was the primary source of Cyprus's leguminous vegetable imports, contributing 53.8% of total volume. Italy followed with 15.0%, and the Netherlands accounted for 12.0%. Together, these three countries supplied 80.8% of Cyprus's import needs.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market showed considerable volatility during these years. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 64.9 thousand US dollars, while the highest came in 2020 at 127.4 thousand US dollars—representing a two-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020 specifically, imports surged by 78.4% compared to the previous year. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, when import values fell by 14.9%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Greece remained Cyprus's most important import partner in value terms, accounting for 55.6% of total imports. The Netherlands contributed 18.1%, while the United Kingdom supplied 6.6%. Collectively, these three countries represented 80.3% of Cyprus's import value.

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

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