Leguminous vegetables market in ECOWAS

Earlier Report Observations

The market for leguminous vegetables in ECOWAS expanded from 95.7 thousand tons in 2018 to 99 thousand tons in 2020, driven by improvements in cold chain logistics, including the commissioning of a major cold storage facility in Côte d'Ivoire in 2019. The entry of international processors like Agrana Fruit in 2020 further bolstered the supply chain, supporting steady growth in both volume and value.

After a dip to 94.5 thousand tons in 2021, the market recovered to 102 thousand tons by 2023, aided by continued investments in cold storage infrastructure and despite global supply chain disruptions that increased costs. In monetary terms, the market value rose significantly from 128.7 million US dollars in 2018 to 172.8 million US dollars in 2023, reflecting the combined effect of volume growth and enhanced logistics on pricing.

Production leguminous vegetables in ECOWAS

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 ECOWAS has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, ECOWAS produced 112.6 thousand tonnes of leguminous vegetables, marking a modest 2.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

ECOWAS's leguminous vegetable production has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output of leguminous vegetables was valued at 169.9 million US dollars in ECOWAS, reflecting a 10.5% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 20.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in ECOWAS in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports leguminous vegetables from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, the volume of leguminous vegetables exported from ECOWAS totaled 19 624 tonnes, indicating a sharp 39.5% increase over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 26.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.1%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 14 070 tonnes, with the largest decline of 12.9% also occurring in that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for leguminous vegetable exports from ECOWAS in kind were the Netherlands, accounting for 48.5% of exports, Italy with 11.2%, and the United Kingdom at 6.8%. Together, these three countries represented 66.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of leguminous vegetables exported from ECOWAS reached 29 621 thousand US dollars, which is 51.2% higher than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 42%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 19 597 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 10.2% also in that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands and Italy were the dominant buyers of leguminous vegetables from ECOWAS in value terms, together accounting for 81.2% of total exports. Other partners played a less significant role in the market.

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

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

Imports leguminous vegetables to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 1 705 tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 6 037 tonnes, representing a 3.5-fold difference. In 2020, the volume of leguminous vegetables imported into ECOWAS amounted to 6 037 tonnes, showing a sharp year-on-year uptick of 171.9%. The largest decline of 14.5% was recorded in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, the United States, and Argentina were notable but not dominant suppliers of leguminous vegetables to ECOWAS in kind, with shares of 4.6%, 2.9%, and 2.0% respectively. Their combined share reached only 9.5% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of leguminous vegetables into ECOWAS have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 3 307 thousand US dollars, which is 41.4% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 100.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 26.1%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports of leguminous vegetables into ECOWAS in value terms were not heavily concentrated. Italy, the United States, and Portugal accounted for 17.7%, 16.8%, and 4.4% respectively, together capturing only 38.9% of total import flows.

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

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